Proposal for a Fish Habitat Referral Protocol
In May 2008, MNR posted a policy proposal for the “Fish Habitat Referral Protocol.” This protocol directs the same agencies included under the 2007 Compliance Protocol for the review of projects “in and around water, where fish habitat may be affected.” MTO is the only new member, as an agency without fisheries legislation, but with projects that may impact fish and fish habitat. The Fish Habitat Referral Protocol contains a brief description of MTO’s separate protocol, illustrated with MTO’s referral process flow chart. Other referral process flow charts outlined in the Fish Habitat Referral Protocol relate specifically to: agricultural drain classification, generalized Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) screenings, the Species at Risk Act (SARA), Parks Canada, MNR, the Crown Forestry Sustainability Act and CA/DFO. Like the other protocols, the Fish Habitat Referral Protocol describes roles and responsibilities of the agencies involved. It also contains a risk management framework that provides the same basic instructions as the risk assessment matrix in the 2006 MTO Protocol.
The ECO may review this new protocol in our 2008-2009 Annual Report.
| This is an article from the 2007/08 Annual Report to the Legislature from the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. |
Citing This Article:
Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. 2008. "Fisheries Protocols Undermined by Crippling Cutbacks." Getting to K(No)w, ECO Annual Report, 2007-08. Toronto, ON : Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. 107.
