Turtles are not as high profile as Caribou. Blandings Turtle is not a charismatic megafauna. Here is a commentary on the current inconsistencies in the application of the Endangered Species Act (RSO 2007) as it applies to Turtles.
Take home message -- The administration of the ESA can work effectively and efficiently. At this time MNRF science supports a revision to the Stand and Site Guide (Table 4.3e), and this should occur within a short time frame. .
The full oped is available at the link below.
Here is the short version:
What is the problem with Ontario’s approach to forestry in Blanding Turtle range?
In brief, the current AOC prescription for Blanding’s Turtle provides a conservative rule set for protecting
BT habitat from forestry operations1 (Stand and Site Guide Table 4.3e). This conservative approach is
consistent with the precautionary intent of ESA habitat protection but, as described below, it does not
follow through. The intent of the ESA is for science to be conducted to provide an adaptive approach
and provide effective and less social and economic impact. This failure of implementation has caused
and is still causing significant economic impact. Ultimately this will also impair the recovery of this
species through loss of respect for the ESA and government policy.
What should be done?
In the perfect administrative world of protection measures for a species at risk, a listed species receives
immediate general habitat protection creating a precautionary level of protection around the habitat of
a species. Forest managers provide workable block maps to operators. This is followed by careful
research that is promptly commissioned and efficiently conducted, delivering recommendations for
effective control measures that cause minimal social and economic impact. MNRF staff put in place an
effective consultation process with concerned members of the public. Regulators change the
appropriate guide and regulations to replace the general habitat regulation with a recovery plan that
allows for reasonable operational control. Legislators ensure that the legal framework is smooth with
few hurdles for managers, scientists, and operators to overcome.
At this time no part of this dream scenario is happening for Blanding’s Turtle protection.
Here are some findings:
• The science that was required to deliver “recommendations for effective control measures that
cause least social and economic impact” now exists.
• A revision to Stand and Site Guide Table 4.3e should be achievable in a short time frame.
• Based on interviews about science with all sides, changes to the BT AOC prescription would be
acceptable at this time.
• Complexity between all levels has led to a lack of prompt administrative response.
• Moving an amendment to the BT prescription forward will be challenging given the
redistribution of responsibility in a transformed MNRF.
• The important concept of adaptive management, once the hallmark of sustainable management
of a complex system, must be reinvigorated.