A new dimension to the assessment of the “goodness” of the subdivision application by Mary Lake Estates has emerged:  Chelydra serpentina a.k.a snapping turtles.

At the 4/30 Public Meeting Council and attending public saw mapping by citizens of numerous sightings just north and south of the subdivision site which clearly suggests that the site may be a snapping turtle habitat.

As was pointed out, the applicant’s natural heritage evaluation did not mention turtles and yet the snapping turtle has been identified as a species of “special concern” at both provincial and federal level.

Given that by their nature these critters are not always visible and that they do move around the fact that they were missed initially is perhaps understandable.  But now that we know a full study is required.  I am strongly of this view now that I have done some research about “why it is of special concern”.

The Ontario Endangered Species Act, 2007 has 4 categories of risk for wild plants and animals.

Special concern—native species sensitive to human activities or natural events which may cause it to become endangered or threatened (e.g. snapping turtle, monarch butterfly)

Threatened— native species at risk of being endangered in Ontario

Endangered— native species facing extinction or extirpation (e.g. Jefferson Salamander)

Extirpated—a native species that no longer exists in the wild in Ontario

You can see the list of species at risk and their status here.

The threat to the turtle is its lengthy maturation process; it takes 15-20 years to reach maturity.  Hence adult mortality affects the species mortality.  i) Unfortunately these grand creatures cross roads in search of mates, food, water and are not adept at getting out of the way of traffic.  When one is killed it takes a long time (15-20 years) to replace it.  ii) Hunting of turtles is still legal in Ontario.  Here is the fact sheet on the snapping turtle.

At the Federal level its status has been determined by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).  Not surprisingly its rationale for the designation is similar to the Ontario rationale.  “Although this species is widespread and still somewhat abundant, its life history (late maturity, great longevity, low recruitment, lack of density-dependent responses), and its dependence on long warm summers to complete incubation successfully make it unusually susceptible to anthropogenic threats.” To learn more about the Federal program click here.

But there is also another risk:  habitat decline. We have lost alotof our wetlands; per Ducks Unlimited Canada 70% of wetlands in settlement areas has been lost!  Protecting the habitat of the snapping turtle is critical.

So who is looking after the habitat?  The role of  Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is nicely reviewed in responses to a request under the Environmental Bill of Rights  for a review of the regulation whereby the snapping turtle is listed as a game species.

As the Environmental Commissioner reviews in his report which you can read here,  MNR denied the request for a couple reasons.  In addition to the arguments focused specifically on hunting it says:  MNR is committed already to have “a management plan” by 2014. ….. They say it is not necessary to address the hunting question in isolation and earlier for several reasons including “….MNR currently takes an ecologically-based approach to protecting snapping turtle by protecting their habitat through resource management planning processes on private and Crown lands…..MNR continues to exercise caution and special concern for snapping turtle by taking an ecologically–based approach….MNR ensures the protection of habitats required by the snapping turtle populations through resource-based planning.”

In conclusion:  we don’t have enough information to assess whether the proposed development risks the habitat of the snapping turtle.  And if it does we don’t know what that means in terms of impacting the net developable land.

This is truly an example of the value of citizens being engaged.  Kudos to Kingscross Estates Ratepayers Association (KERA)!