Action We’re Taking

Species scheduled to be reviewed by COSSARO are listed below.

Table subject to change and will be updated as new information becomes available.

The Environmental Registry contains public notices about environmental matters being proposed by all government ministries covered by the Environmental Bill of Rights. The Registry allows you to participate in decisions that affect the environment.

The following Environmental Registry notices are related to Species at Risk policies:

Participate in the recovery strategy process

The public is invited to review and submit comments on draft recovery strategies for the following species: American Columbo, Bird's-foot Violet, Northern Madtom, Pugnose Shiner, Slender Bush-clover, Virginia Goat's-rue and Willowleaf Aster. Please view Ontario's Environmental Registry (Registry number 011-9442) for more information.

Draft Government Response Statements

The public is invited to submit comments before August 29, 2013 on 10 draft government response statements for 11 species: Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander and Northern Dusky Salamander, American Water-willow, Cherry Birch, Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus, Hine's Emerald, Hungerford's Crawling Water Beetle, Nodding Pogonia, Pygmy Snaketail, Red Mulberry and Wild Hyacinth. Comments should be submitted through the policy proposal notice posted on Ontario's Environmental Registry (#011-7846).

Draft Harm and Harass Policy

The Ministry of Natural Resources has developed draft policy guidance to help assess whether an activity is likely to kill, harm, or harass a species protected under Ontario's Endangered Species Act, 2007. The public is invited to review and submit comments on the document entitled Policy Guidance on Harm and Harass under the Endangered Species Act through the policy proposal notice posted on Ontario's Environmental Registry (search number 011-9405).

Draft Range Management Policy in Support of Woodland Caribou Conservation and Recovery

The public is invited to review and comment on MNR's draft Range Management Policy in support of Woodland Caribou Conservation and Recovery. The draft policy provides direction to conserve and recover caribou in Ontario through the development and implementation of a Range Management Approach. The draft Guidance for Assessing Impacts of Activities on Woodland Caribou and Their Habitat and the draft Integrated Assessment Protocol for Woodland Caribou Ranges in Ontario, support the implementation of the draft Range Management Policy, including the range management approach. Comments should be submitted through the regulation proposal notice posted on July 11th, 2013 on Ontario's Environmental Registry (Registry Number 011-9448.

Finalized Recovery Strategies and Initiating Development of Government Response Statements

On May 31, 2013, final recovery strategies were completed for eleven species: Bobolink and Eastern Meadowlark, Butternut, Common Hoptree, Cutlip Minnow, Dwarf Hackberry, Eastern Sand Darter, Hill's Thistle, Lakeside Daisy, Piping Plover and Pitcher's Thistle. The public and Aboriginal communities are invited to review these recovery strategies, and submit comments on the goals and actions that the Government of Ontario should consider committing to in the government response statements. Comments should be submitted through the policy proposal notice posted on Ontario's Environmental Registry (Registry Number 011-9020).

Furthermore, additional time is required to prepare recovery strategies under the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (May 31, 2013). To view this notice, please visit Ontario's Environmental Registry (Registry number 011-9048).

Final Government Response Statements

On May 31, 2013, government response statements were completed for six species: American Chestnut, Drooping Trillium, Heart-leaved Plantain, Lake Chubsucker, Large Whorled Pogonia, and Prothonotary Warbler. The government response statements summarize the Government of Ontario's intended actions and priorities in relation to the species' recovery strategies that were published June 15, 2012. Environmental Registry - Registry Number 011-6528.

Draft Habitat Regulations

The public is invited to review and comment on draft habitat regulations for the following six species: Bogbean Buckmoth, Four-leaved Milkweed, Fowler's Toad, Laura's Clubtail, Queensnake and Rusty-patched Bumble Bee and on a proposed habitat regulation amendment for Pale-bellied Frost Lichen. Comments should be submitted through the regulation proposal notice posted on Ontario's Environmental Registry (Registry Number 011-9021).

There are no special notices at this time.