Richardson Ridge Inc. - Amendment to a permit issued under the Endangered Species Act

On August 18, 2017, the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry issued permit number KV-C-007-15 under clause 17(2)(c) of the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA) to Richardson Ridge Inc. The permit authorizes impacts to Blanding’s Turtle so the applicant can construct a subdivision on Lot 7, Concession 1 in the Geographic Township of March, Ottawa, Ontario.

On August 6, 2019 Richardson Ridge Inc. submitted an application to amend its existing permit to authorize the removal of additional habitat for Blanding’s Turtle to construct a blasting buffer surround the future Street #1 associated with their project.

On March 5, 2020 the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks issued an amendment to KV-C-007-15 under Subclause 17(7)(a)(i) of the ESA.

Subclause 17(7)(a)(i) of the ESA authorizes the minister to amend a permit issued to a person under clause 17(2)(c) of the act, with the consent of the permit holder, if the minister believes he would be authorized to issue the permit under the original clause in its amended form.

Under subclause 17(2)(c) of the ESA, the minister has the authority to issue a permit if the minister believes that tests for an overall benefit permit are met. This includes:

• considering reasonable alternatives
• taking actions to achieve overall benefit to the species and minimize adverse effects

Reasonable alternatives considered

Reasonable alternatives to the proposal were considered, including alternatives that would not adversely affect the species, such as:

• not proceeding with the proposed development project within areas considered species at risk habitat
• using alternate methods, equipment, designs, etc. for carrying out the proposed activities

The best alternative that was adopted included altering project design to preserve valuable habitat areas, while proceeding with the development and providing a benefit to the species.

Actions to achieve overall benefit to the species and minimize adverse effects

The permit requires Richardson Ridge Inc. to undertake a number of actions to achieve an overall benefit and implement measures to minimize adverse effects to the species within a reasonable timeframe. This includes:

• decreasing road mortality and improving adult survivorship for this population by installing exclusion fencing along Terry Fox Road, which is a location documented to have high turtle road mortality
• creating a pond and hemi-marsh area to establish core Blanding’s Turtle habitat with nesting and hibernacula sites
• undertaking monitoring for three consecutive years of Artificial Nesting Sites to inform knowledge gaps on the use and success of artificial nesting sites by the species
• retaining a qualified professional to assist with implementing conditions of the permit
• undertaking awareness training for employees
• reducing the amount of site grading and excavation on site to reduce impacts regarding soil compaction and vegetation disturbances
• minimizing the amount of Blanding’s Turtle habitat that is damaged
• avoiding undertaking activities that may impact Blanding’s Turtle during sensitive times of year (nesting, hibernating)
• avoiding habitat to be retained during and after construction to reduce harming individual turtles

Other information

The minister is required to consider any Government Response Statement (GRS) to a recovery strategy published under subsection 11(8) of the act.

Currently, a GRS has not been published for Blanding’s Turtle