ERO number 019-5496 Hello, …

ERO number 019-5496

Hello,

Thank you for allowing me to comment on this proposed development project. It is difficult to properly comment on this proposal without information on the size of the development and its location in relation to the natural features north of Mating Lane. It would be very helpful on future proposals to include a polygon of the proposed site location instead of a pin. Furthermore, I am very supportive of rezoning an area of SAR habitat as Natural Environment and conveying it to the Town of LaSalle, however, no detail is provided on the area to be protected for comparison to the area of habitat that is proposed to be impacted. Although the habitat creation and enhancement activities for Eastern Foxsnake are supported (brush piles, nesting crib, rock piles, meadow community, removal of invasive plants), and the ratio presented sounds fair (4 features per half hectare), the total amount of SAR habitat to be enhanced on site vs. off site is not clear as presented. Further it is not clear where the “on-site” and “off-site” activities will take place with reference to the land to be conveyed to the Town of LaSalle. Care should be taken to situate and design the hibernaculum so that it allows snakes to access the groundwater table and escape below the frost line, while avoiding flood prone areas. Finally, any Eastern Foxsnakes found should only be translocated a short distance from the project location (i.e., within their home-range).

Thank You
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Jonathan D. Choquette, BSc, MLA
Lead Biologist - Ojibway Prairie Reptile Recovery,
Wildlife Preservation Canada
cell: (226)961-5193
email: jchoquette@wildlifepreservation.ca
mail: PO Box 221 Stn A., Windsor, ON, N9A 6K1
web: www.wildlifepreservation.ca/ojibway-prairie-reptile-recovery/
site-web (français): www.wildlifepreservation.ca/fr/retablissement-des-reptiles-de-la-prairi…