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GUELPH, ON, May 21, 2009 – DNA analysis on a salamander collected along Laird Road has determined that while that salamander is a hybrid Jefferson, a pure Jefferson salamander sperm donor is present in the area.
The discovery is the result of the City's ongoing terrestrial and aquatic monitoring, which is being conducted by Natural Resource Solutions Inc. (NRSI). No salamander species were observed in the Hanlon Creek Business Park area during surveys conducted this spring, but one individual of the Jefferson salamander complex was observed while crews were monitoring amphibian movement across Laird Road. DNA extraction and analysis performed on a tissue sample by Dr. Bogart from the University of Guelph confirmed that the individual salamander was a hybrid. However, genetics indicate that a pure Jefferson salamander is present.
The Jefferson salamander is currently protected under the federal Species at Risk Act and the Ontario Species at Risk Act. The City's findings have been forwarded to the Ministry of Natural Resources, and the City will work with the Ministry to determine next steps.
"This discovery is the result of our rigorous, ongoing monitoring program in this area. The City remains committed to protecting the habitat of endangered species, and we will work closely with the Ministry of Natural Resources," said Mayor Karen Farbridge.
The City has conducted environmental monitoring programs on the Hanlon Creek Business park lands since 1998. Separate from the proposed business park, the City retained NRSI to conduct wildlife mortality monitoring on Laird Road. This monitoring program was added as a result of comments from residents, staff, agencies, and the consulting team.
The need for ongoing environmental monitoring is part of the Environmental Implementation Report (EIR) for the project, which is one of the Ontario Municipal Board's conditions of approval. The EIR was approved by the Grand River Conservation Authority and the City's Environmental Advisory Committee earlier this year.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
Peter Cartwright
General Manager, Economic Development and Tourism Services
Telephone: (519) 822-1260 ext 2820
e-mail: peter.cartwright@guelph.ca.
