From Environment and Climate Change Canada - Additional Information for the Designation Request of the Erin Wastewater Treatment Plant Project - May 6, 2021

Hi Christine,

CWS has reviewed the Urban Center Wastewater Servicing Class Environmental Assessment for the Town of Erin (the Report) with respect to the potential impact on Western Chorus Frog only. There is very little information contained within the Report in order to complete an analysis of the potential impacts of the project on Western Chorus Fog – Great Lakes, St. Lawrence- Canadian Shield Population (GLSLCS). Understanding that context, CWS can provide the following basic information.

Based on the mapping provided in the Report, there does not appear to be Critical Habitat (CH) overlapping any of the alternatives provided in the report. 

However while the presence of CH can be an important indictor of the potential impact on many species, CH for Western Chorus Frog (GLSLCS) is only partially identified within the recovery strategy (https://wildlife-species.canada.ca/species-risk-registry/virtual_sara/files/plans/Rs-WesternChorusFrogGLSLBC-v00-2015Dec01_e.pdf). A schedule of studies in the recovery strategy outlines the activities required to complete the identification of critical habitat to meet the population and distribution objectives and focuses on the need for additional survey information.

While the Report refers to “Western Chorus Frogs identified along the route”, without more information it is difficult to assess what potential impacts are possible or likely. In the absence of additional information, CWS can provide the following general advice which is largely based on the species’ Residence Description (https://wildlife-species.canada.ca/species-risk-registry/virtual_sara/files/ResDescription-WesternChorusFrog-v00-2016Jul18-Eng.pdf). The identification of residences (like CH), rely on occurrence information, therefore the observations already collected or otherwise obtained by the Town of Erin may be sufficient to assess the impact of the Project on the Western Frog (GLSLCS), however the information, as it was presented in the Report, was not sufficient for CWS to complete an analysis and conclude on the significance of the impact of this project on the species.

If additional information is to be collected, surveys for Western Chorus Frog individuals should take place during the breeding season (typically starting March 20th until June 11^th), when individuals are calling from within breeding sites (temporary wetlands or shallow portions, which become dry in the summer, of  permanent aquatic features (e.g., ponds, basins/potholes, marshes, swamps, drainage ditches)).  Please contact ECCC-CWS for the recommended survey protocol. As result, survey information can identify that both 1) Individuals, and; 2) Breeding sites are present. If a breeding site is present it is also possible that a Hibernation site (terrestrial habitats (e.g., lowlands such as pastures, clearings, meadows, fallow lands, shrublands, wooded areas) in soft soil substrates, under rocks, dead trees/branches, leaves/litter or in existing burrows) is also present as they occur within a 300 m terrestrial zone around the Breeding site. A Hibernation site can be occupied October 1st to March 20^th.

As a result, to determine impacts and propose mitigations, it is necessary to determine if Western Chorus Frog (GLSLCS) individuals (in their Breeding sites) are present within 300m of the Project footprint in order to ensure how Project impacts can be avoided. If Western Chorus Frog individuals (and as outlined above, Breeding sites) are not present within 300m of the Project Footprint, there are unlikely to be impacts on the species. If individuals (and as outlined above, Breeding Sites) are found within 300m of the Project Footprint it may be possible to avoid impacts to the Western Chorus Frog, however measures must be taken to avoid periods when they are found within specific sites 1) Breeding sites (March 20th until June 11^th), and; 2) Hibernation site October 1st to March 20^th, additional measures (e.g. exclusion fencing) may also be required.  Site specific considerations such as the amount and configuration of available habitat and project specifics would need to be taken into account to avoid affecting the species and its habitat.  In some cases, connectivity between populations may also be a factor in the case specific analysis.

If you have any questions please let us know.

Regards,

Rob Clavering

Senior Environmental Assessment Officer

Environmental Protections Branch – Ontario Region

Environment and Climate Change Canada / Government of Canada

<Email address removed> / Tel : <Personal information removed>

Agent supérieur int. d’evaluation environnementale

Direction générale de la protection de l’environnement – Région de l’Ontario

Environnement et Changement climatique Canada / Gouvernement du Canada

<adresse de courriel caviardée> / Tél.: <données d’indentification caviardées>