Strict new Ontario standards will define land as ‘significant wildlife habitat’ in need of protection from development. They are in addition to existing protection for significant wetlands, or areas with rare or threatened species.
Twenty tadpoles, five common garter snakes or a single duck nest would be enough to define land as “significant wildlife habitat” in need of protection from development under strict new Ontario standards.
And protected sites could demand special treatment (such as not cutting trees or building roads) for hundreds of metres in all directions, up to a kilometre all around in the case of bat caves.
They apply in urban and rural development alike.
They are in addition to existing protection for significant wetlands, or areas with rare or threatened species such as butternut trees or bobolinks.
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources says the changes are just extra criteria to fill gaps in existing wildlife protection rules. They would apply to new developments such as subdivisions, commercial construction or wind turbines, not to smaller projects such as renovating a house.
Strict new provincial standards will define wildlife habitats in need of protection (3),Related:
Significant Wildlife Habitat Eco-regional Criteria Schedules
See Also:
Ontario to attack $100M invasive species problem
Notes:
“The draft document on Significant Wildlife Habitat was posted on a provincial website in the spring, but attracted little notice. It is on the Environmental Registry website, reference number 011-5740. The period for comments is closed.”
If you arrive at the conclusion that the Ministry has lost it’s collective mind (which it apparently has) here is where you can complain. Have fun.
In my personal view this situation was advanced in a very sneaky and underhanded way, which is typical of the “McShifty” government. Fortunately they got caught by a smart and alert reporter (Tom Spears) and that is to his credit.
With any luck at all there is going to be much more heard on this in the days ahead — “as there should be”. My immediate question is directed to “Timbits“:
Where the hell were you when our elected “shyster” Premier was pulling his very latest “green stunt”?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Off Topic: “Star rating” at the bottom of entries and comments deactivated. It has turned out to be useless.
Oh darn … I always liked giving stage a “negative” …
“Caughtcha” but you are far from being the only one. I was hoping the “add on” would help me out. Not so much.
Better off without it.
Take care.
Quote: Twenty tadpoles, five common garter snakes or a single duck nest would be enough to define land as “significant wildlife habitat” in need of protection from development under strict new Ontario standards.
Well, isn’t that special, and oh so noble of our green-addled Premier! In the meantime, how many birds need to be chopped down by the ever-growing thicket of windfarms of Lake Erie in order to qualify?
This must have been some concession to various environmental groups, probably in exchange for protection from any negative media coverage on the environmental front. McGuinty needs a legacy – or a platform to campaign from in case the government collapses. He can’t campaign on his economic record, and now he’s lost the backing of the unions. What’s left? To wrap himself in a Green myasma – St. Dalton, protector of the animals (well, at least if they don’t get in the way of his Green sycophants making a quick buck!).
I doubt there will be enough voters willing to inhale the fumes.
Agreed. This is what I keyed on:
If you believe that I have a bridge I want to sell you. It’s located in Brooklyn and it’s very cheap.
We need to start pushing back on all this dumb..dumb..and dumber legislation.
Agreed. You may have found this. I don’t know but I’ll link anyway (I will also link tomorrow).
Germany is going crazy over solar subsidies and around my neck of the woods strange machines are popping up like mushrooms at great expense to Ontario taxpayers. It seems to me we can’t afford “McShifty” but we have a serious problem because we can’t get “Timbits” off his sorry ass long enough to attack.
He sleeps there, day in and day out, like Rip Van Winkle. A true believer in never making a decision today that can be put off until tomorrow. Hoping (desperately hoping) that the media will do his job for him.
Perhaps but my view is if he doesn’t get it together soon Ontario PC’s need to change that picture by hitting him a swift kick in the ass as we throw him out the door and appoint someone who can get the job done. Personally, I want him gone. He’s caused enough damage and it’s time for him to leave.
He does not have what it takes to destroy “McShifty” but you can believe me on this — there are many in the party who do. Frank Klees can do just that.
I say this because long ago (when Ernie Eves was running for leader) Frank was recommended to me as an alternate by someone who had been watching Ontario politics for years (he was well informed). At the time I recommended against the idea because the media was all over Ernie. “Ernie this, Ernie that” — he was a “shoe-in” and I couldn’t see a way out of that lie (and a huge lie it was).
I was wrong but way back then I still had some trust in the media. No longer. That is how the U.S. ended up “lumbered” with Obama and I’ve been watching closely in the years hence. I’ve learned something along the way and that is that the legacy MSM lies a lot as they obey their political masters and pump out so much bullshit it defies belief as they support one side or another.
In hindsight, the gentleman was completely correct (and if he reads this that gentleman will know full well who he is).
If the media wants a real story they should go and talk to Frank. He will boggle their tiny minds as he tells them what is really going on but he should not put much faith in what he says to them as they report his words.
There is always the “spin” and it is relentless.
The simple truth is this. Reporters need to earn a living and they depend on pleasing their bosses. This reporter today blew “McShifty” right out of the water. Tomorrow, said reporter may very well be looking for another job.
That’s just the way things are. It would be wrong but it is the world we live in. A world where reporters can no longer tell the truth because they are supporting families, trying to live a decent life and are well aware of the danger if they run off the rails.
My View: Far to many reporters are “yes men” (or women) and follow boss orders. I can’t blame them for protecting their way of life but I find it sad. There was a time when the public was told the truth and truly, most of these people do know it. They just can’t say so anymore.
It’s all “politics” all the time in most of our large media outlets no matter the story. Frequently they outright lie or in some cases “fudge the facts”. You wouldn’t know this unless you follow them everyday.
As it so happens — “I do” — and I am not impressed.
How about making it illegal for wildlife to inhabit developed land, like a den of foxes did on our farm several years ago. Or the ducks that nested on our dugout or the deers that used to come to the grain bins to eat the grain spilt while loading or unloading. We were there long before they were. We never killed one of them, and farmed around the den in the middle of our field.
Who remembers the Endangered Species Act the libs tried to pass years ago. Still looking for the blue whales in Alberta that were covered under that act.
Re: “Who remembers the Endangered Species Act the libs tried to pass years ago. Still looking for the blue whales in Alberta that were covered under that act.”
Too funny.
But not if we have to pay for mad dreams — and that’s my “bitch”.
Is this the direction Ontario is heading? California is suffering from this type of regulation. mid island mike
http://www.cfact.org/a/1581/Tiny-fish-threatens-to-turn-Californias–Central-Valley-into-Dust-Bowl
Apparently so, Mike. Therefore my rant. This provincial government disgusts me as they try everyday to force more debt on a province which is clearly broke.
“McShifty” reminds me of Obama — let’s call him “Obama-light” — and truly, he can’t walk and chew bubble gum at the same time. He has cost Ontario taxpayers so much money he should be sued on a personal basis for every nickel and forced to pay it all back.
I know we can’t do that but “regardless” — it’s a fine idea and should become law someday.
“Tax payers” should have recourse and well able to bring this ongoing stupidity to a grinding halt.
“Yah, but” who would want to volunteer for public service?
Hopefully, people who have more than “air” between the horns (there are a lot of them). A brand new ballgame.
“Sheesh” — what do I have to say to get rid of the “left” in this country?
Point: They are 20% by poll in this country and they hog 90% of the headlines we read everyday.
Why is that and WHY do we tolerate it?
I don’t know.
Goodnight.
“Tax payers” should have recourse and well able to bring this ongoing stupidity to a grinding halt.
They used to. The ballot box. But in all fairness the voters next door here in Manitoba (under 58% turnout last election) don’t deserve all the blame. We are also in serious leadership/financial trouble here. The province (including the city of Winnipeg) is in a financial death spiral. Health care costs skyrocketing patient care deteriorating. Infrastructure crumbling. Taxes going higher and higher. Yet debt still going higher and higher. The PC’s brilliant strategy last election? Instead of throwing voters a life jacket of fiscal conservatism they throw them an anvil of even greater socialist spending. They loudly boast that if elected they will outspend the socialists. The result? Conservative voters stayed home in droves. The CINO Progressive Conservative Parties in both provinces have to conduct an exorcism on themselves. That includes getting rid of that disgusting word ‘progressive’ from their title.
Why doesn’t Hudak simply state that the Supreme Court has backed Land Patent Grants so they are the default position of the Conservative party and should be the default position of any governing party in this province unless they want to be seen as criminals and expose the government to massive class action lawsuits.
Probably because the Progressive side of the Conservative party also hates property rights.