American ginseng (large patches) revised direction

The following replaces the direction for large patches of American ginseng found in Table 4.3a in the Forest Management Guide for Conserving Biodiversity at the Stand and Site Scales (2010).

Description

  • Patch of ≥20 American ginseng plants and habitat within a 120 m radius of the periphery of the patch.
  • Direction applies to patches known before, or found during, operations.

Operational Prescription for the AOC

Standards

  • Delineated habitat comprises the AOC.
  • Harvest, renewal, and tending operations are not permitted within 20 m of the ginseng patch. Trees will not be felled into this area. Trees accidentally felled into this area will be left where they fall.
  • Within 21-120 m of the ginseng patch:
    • Harvest that retains a minimum relatively uniform canopy closure of 70% (dominant and codominant trees) is permitted. Harvest will normally be restricted to single tree selection.
    • Harvest, renewal, and tending operations will be conducted in a manner that minimizes site disturbance. Operations within the AOC will not:
      • Exceed 2% coverage of ruts.
      • Exceed 10% coverage of extraction trails.
      • Leave ruts or a significant area of exposed mineral soil. If coverage of ruts and extraction trails is ≤ 2% and ≤ 10%, respectively, operations will be considered compliant if ruts and significant areas of exposed mineral soil in the AOC are remediated in a timely manner following MNRF conditionsfootnote 1 (i.e., the forest floor is returned to a condition that promotes the establishment of ginseng but deters the establishment of competing invasive species (without adversely affecting ginseng plants or habitat suitability)).
    • Application of herbicides is not permitted.
  • Following harvest, renewal, and tending operations, any markings that might attract collectors to the ginseng patch will be removed or hidden.

Guidelines

  • Harvest, renewal, and tending operations will be conducted during winter, except in extraordinary circumstances as specifically identified and justified through the FMP AOC planning process.

Conditions on Roads, Landings, and Aggregate Pits

Standards

  • New roads are not permitted within 20 m of the ginseng patch.
  • New landings and aggregate pits are not permitted within the AOC.

Guidelines

  • Generally, new roads are not permitted within 21-120 m of the ginseng patch unless there is no practical or feasible alternative, and the road, including specific location, is identified and justified through the FMP AOC planning processfootnote 2. However, these restrictions do not apply to new single-lane roads constructed on clearly recognizable roadbeds that are currently dominated by vegetation that, if removed, would not significantly alter the suitability of the road or surrounding forest as potential ginseng habitat (i.e., dominant vegetation generally comprised of raspberries, other shrubs, and saplings < 3 m tall). In all cases, new roads will be located in consultation with MNRF and construction, maintenance, and use will be subject to MNRF conditionsfootnote 3 that restrict traffic volume and road longevity or that otherwise minimize the risk of adversely affecting ginseng plants, habitat suitability, or facilitating access by illegal harvesters. Winter roads will be used unless there is no practical or feasible alternative. Gaps associated with roads will be included in the estimation of canopy closure (see above).
  • When there are no practical or feasible alternatives, old landings within 21-120 m of the ginseng patch that are clearly recognizable and that are currently dominated by vegetation that, if removed, would not significantly alter the suitability of the landing or surrounding forest as potential ginseng habitat (i.e., dominant vegetation generally comprised of raspberries, other shrubs, and saplings < 3 m tall) may be reused subject to MNRF conditionsfootnote 4 on construction and use that minimize the risk of adversely affecting ginseng plants or habitat suitability. The footprint of the landing will not be increased. In the absence of reusable landings, wood may be piled and processed on road rights-of-way within 21-120 m of the ginseng patch (if consistent with MNRF conditions on corridor width and worker and public safety considerations). Gaps associated with landings will be included in the estimation of canopy closure (see above).
  • All roads within the AOC will be decommissioned or otherwise subject to access control measures following operations to minimize access by collectors except in extraordinary circumstances, as specifically identified and justified through the FMP AOC planning process.

Blanding’s turtle revised direction

The following replaces the direction for Blanding’s turtle and spotted turtle habitat found in Table 4.3e in the Forest Management Guide for Conserving Biodiversity at the Stand and Site Scales (2010).

Blanding’s turtle habitat

Description

  • Aquatic and terrestrial habitats within 2 km of individual Element Occurrence observation points or other reliable sightings from within the past 20 years.
  • Suitable aquatic habitat is defined as aquatic features that have a high potential to be used either during the active season (suitable summer habitat) or during hibernation (suitable winter habitat), as identified by MNRF based on field surveys or other reliable methods.
  • Direction applies to habitat identified by MNRF prior to, or during, operations.

Operational Prescription for the AOC

Standards

  • Delineated habitat comprises the AOC.
  • Within the inner 1 km of the AOC, regular harvest, renewal, and tending operations are permitted subject to the following restrictions:
    • Harvest, renewal, and tending operations are not permitted within 30 m of known or suspected nesting sites as identified by MNRFfootnote 5.
    • No harvest, renewal, or tending operations are permitted that will result in damage to littoral zones or shorelines and associated stabilizing vegetation, or deposition of sediment within suitable summer habitat. Operations specifically prohibited within the AOC include:
      • Machine travel within 3 m of suitable summer habitat.
      • Felling of trees into or within 3 m of suitable summer habitat. Trees accidentally felled into suitable summer habitat will be left where they fall.
      • Excessive removal or damage of sapling-sized trees (<10 cm dbh) and shrubs within 3 m of suitable summer habitat.
      • Disturbance of the forest floor that leaves ruts or a significant area of exposed mineral soil within 15 m of suitable summer habitat. Ruts and significant patches of exposed mineral soil will be promptly rehabilitated to prevent sediment from entering suitable summer habitat. Patches of mineral soil exposed by natural events are excluded.
      • Disturbance of the forest floor that disrupts hydrological function (i.e., impedes, accelerates, or diverts water movement; see Section 5.2) within recognizable ephemeral streams, springs, seeps, and other areas of groundwater discharge connected to suitable summer habitat.
      • No ruts permitted that channel water into, or within 15 m of, suitable summer habitat.
    • Operations involving heavy equipment (e.g., mechanical harvesters, skidders, bulldozers) or otherwise representing a potential injury risk to turtles are not permitted within suitable winter habitat (any season), within 30 m of suitable summer habitat during the active season, within 150 m of suitable summer habitat during the terrestrial period (except during the low activity period), and within 300 m of suitable summer habitat during the nesting period.

Guidelines

  • Within the entire AOC, a local protocol will be developed that describes how turtles will be protected from injury if encountered during operations (i.e., how they should be handled, temporarily held, and/or relocated)4.
  • The active season is defined as April 15 to October 15. The terrestrial period is defined as May 1 to September 30. The nesting period is defined as June 1 to 30. The low activity period is defined as July 15 to August 31. Local knowledge may be used to adjust these dates.

Best management practices

  • Within the entire AOC, minimize operations involving heavy equipment (e.g. mechanical harvesters, skidders, bulldozers) or otherwise representing a potential injury risk to turtles within 300 m of suitable summer habitat during the active season.

Conditions on Roads, Landings, and Aggregate Pits

Standards

  • During the active season, use of roads within the entire AOC will be accompanied by driver awareness training.
  • Within the inner 1 km of the AOC:
    • New aggregate pits are not permitted within 150 m of suitable summer habitat.
    • Construction of new landings and use of existing landings are not permitted within 30 m of known or suspected nesting sites as identified by MNRFfootnote 6 .
    • New roads (including winter roads and approaches to water crossings) are not permitted within suitable winter habitat, within 30 m of suitable summer habitat (unless constructed using techniques that will avoid traffic-related mortality as specified by MNRF conditionsfootnote 7), or within 30 m of known or suspected nesting sites as identified by MNRFfootnote 8 .
    • Road construction and aggregate extraction are not permitted within 30 m of known or suspected nesting sites (as identified by MNRFfootnote 9 ), within 30 m of suitable summer habitat during the active season, within 150 m of suitable summer habitat during the terrestrial period (except during the low activity period), and within 300 m of suitable summer habitat during the nesting period.
    • Water drawdowns are not permitted in suitable aquatic habitat.
    • Within 150 m of suitable summer habitat, dust control may be accomplished with the use of water only.

Guidelines

  • Use of roads within the entire AOC will be accompanied by a strategy to mitigate potential for traffic-related mortality of turtles if the road is used during the active season. Tactics may include:
    • modifying driver behavior through use of warning signs
    • reducing volume of traffic through use of access control measures such as gates or road decommissioning
    • restricting speed through training, signage, or speed control devices
    • other methods developed in consultation with MNRF.
  • Reasonable efforts will be made to ensure roads constructed within the entire AOC will be located to avoid key habitat features (e.g., nesting sites, hibernacula, suspected travel corridors) and concentrations of turtle sightings as identified by MNRF.
  • Within the inner 1 km of the AOC:
    • Reasonable efforts will be made to minimize access. New roads will be located in consultation with MNRF.
    • Generally, new all-weather roads are not permitted within 150 m of suitable summer habitat unless there is no practical or feasible alternative, and the road, including specific location, is identified and justified through the FMP AOC planning process. However, these restrictions do not apply to new all-weather single-lane roads constructed on clearly recognizable roadbeds that are dominated by vegetation no larger than shrubs and sapling-sized trees, unless in high risk locations as identified by MNRFfootnote 10. In all cases, new all-weather roads will be decommissioned or otherwise subject to access control measures following operations. As well, the location and construction of all new all-weather roads will be subject to locally appropriate MNRF conditionsfootnote 11 that restrict traffic speed/volume and road longevity or that otherwise minimize the risk of traffic-related mortality.
    • Reasonable efforts will be made to avoid constructing new all-weather roads and aggregate pits within 151-300 m of suitable summer habitat.
    • Reasonable efforts will be made to promptly decommission new roads or implement access control measures.
    • When new roads are constructed, reasonable efforts will be made to use winter roads and temporary water crossings.
    • Hauling is not permitted within 150 m of suitable summer habitat during the terrestrial period (except during the low activity periodsubject to conditions identified by MNRFfootnote 12) or within 300 m of suitable summer habitat during the nesting period, except in extraordinary circumstances as specifically identified and justified through the FMP AOC planning process.
    • During the nesting and incubation period (June 1 to September 30) road maintenance operations that disturb the roadbed (except those required for safety reasons or environmental protection) are not permitted within 150 m of suitable summer habitat except along road segments unlikely to be used for nesting as identified by MNRFfootnote 13 or in extraordinary circumstances, as specifically identified and justified through the FMP AOC planning process. The timing of this restriction may be adjusted to reflect annual variation in weather or other local factors.

Best management practices

  • Within the entire AOC, minimize operations associated with roads, landings, and aggregate pits within 300 m of suitable summer habitat during the active season.
  • When practical and feasible, routine road maintenance (especially ditch cleaning) operations should be scheduled during May and October.

Spotted turtle habitat

Description

  • Suitable aquatic and associated habitats occupied within the past 20 years defined by either:
    • suitable aquatic habitats known to be occupied by a local population of turtles, as delineated through field survey, and terrestrial habitats within 300 m of these aquatic habitats or
    • suitable aquatic habitats with a high likelihood of being occupied by a local population of turtles based on proximity (≤ 500 m) to individual Element Occurrenceobservation points or other reliable sightings, and terrestrial habitats within 300 m of these aquatic habitats.
  • Suitable aquatic habitat is defined as aquatic features that have a high potential to be used either during the active season (suitable summer habitat) or during hibernation (suitable winter habitat), as identified by MNRF based on field surveys or other reliable methods.
  • Direction applies to habitat identified by MNRF prior to, or during, operations.

Operational Prescription for the AOC

Standards

  • Delineated habitat comprises the AOC.
  • Regular harvest, renewal, and tending operations are permitted within the AOC subject to the following restrictions:
    • Harvest, renewal, and tending operations are not permitted within 30 m of known or suspected nesting sites, within 30 m of suitable summer habitat, or within 30 m of known or suspected aestivation sites.
    • Operations involving heavy equipment (e.g., mechanical harvesters, skidders, bulldozers) or otherwise representing a potential injury risk to turtles are not permitted within suitable winter habitat (any season), within 150 m of suitable summer habitat during the active season (see below), or within 151-300 m of suitable summer habitat during the nesting period (see below).

Guidelines

  • A local strategy will be developed to address how turtles will be protected if encountered during operations.
  • The active season is defined as April 1 to October 31. The nesting period is defined as June 1 to 30. Local knowledge may be used to adjust these dates.

Best management practices

  • Minimize operations involving heavy equipment (e.g., mechanical harvesters, skidders, bulldozers) or otherwise representing a potential injury risk to turtles within 151-300 m of suitable summer habitat during the entire active season (see above).

Conditions on Roads, Landings, and Aggregate Pits

Standards

  • Landings and aggregate pits are not permitted within 150 m of suitable summer habitat.
  • New roads (including winter roads) are not permitted within suitable winter habitat, within 30 m of known or suspected nesting sites, or within 30 m of known or suspected aestivation sites.
  • Road construction and aggregate extraction are not permitted within 150 m of suitable summer habitat during the active season or within 151-300 m of suitable summer habitat during the nesting period (see above).
  • Water drawdowns are not permitted in suitable aquatic habitat.
  • During the active season, use of roads within the AOC will be accompanied by driver awareness training.
  • Within 150 m of suitable summer habitat, dust control may be accomplished with the use of water only.

Guidelines

  • New all-weather roads are not permitted within 150 m of suitable summer habitat unless there is no practical or feasible alternative, and the road, including specific location, is identified and justified through the FMP AOC planning process.
  • Reasonable efforts will be made to avoid constructing new all-weather roads, landings, and aggregate pits within 151-300 m of suitable summer habitat.
  • Reasonable efforts will be made to ensure roads constructed within the AOC will be located to avoid key habitat features (e.g., nesting sites, hibernacula) and concentrations of turtle sightings and to minimize access within the AOC. Roads will be located in consultation with MNRF.
  • Reasonable efforts will be made to promptly decommission new roads or implement access control measures within the AOC.
  • When roads are constructed within the AOC, reasonable efforts will be made to use winter roads and temporary water crossings.
  • Hauling is not permitted within 150 m of suitable summer habitat during the active season or within 151-300 m of suitable summer habitat during the nesting period, except in extraordinary circumstances as specifically identified and justified through the FMP AOC planning process.
  • Use of roads within the AOC will be accompanied by a strategy to mitigate potential for traffic-related mortality of turtles if the road is used during the active season. Tactics may include:
    • modifying driver behavior through use of warning signs
    • reducing volume of traffic through use of access control measures such as gates
    • restricting speed through training, signage, or speed control devices
    • other methods developed in consultation with MNRF.
  • During the nesting and incubation periods (June 1 to October 31) road maintenance operations that disturb the roadbed (except that required for safety reasons or environmental protection) are not permitted within 150 m of suitable summer habitat or along other road segments known or suspected to be used for nesting, except in extraordinary circumstances, as specifically identified and justified through the FMP AOC planning process. The timing of this restriction may be adjusted to reflect annual variation in weather or other local factors.

Best management practices

  • Minimize operations associated with roads, landings, and aggregate pits within 151-300 m of suitable summer habitat during the entire active season (see above).

American ginseng rationale

Rationale for changes to the direction for large patches of American ginseng in the Forest management guide for conserving biodiversity at the stand and site scales (the Stand and Site Guide).

Description

Original Directionfootnote 14Revised Directionfootnote 15Rationale
Description - Patch of ≥20 American ginseng plants and habitat within a 120 m radius of the periphery of the patch or as otherwise defined by an ESA habitat description or habitat regulation.Description - Patch of ≥20 American ginseng plants and habitat within a 120 m radius of the periphery of the patch.The reference to ESA-related policy has been removed since there is no habitat regulation for American ginseng and forestry operations are, at the time of writing, subject to conditions in Ontario Regulation 176/13.

Operational Prescriptions for the AOC

Original Directionfootnote 16Revised Directionfootnote 17Rationale
Standard - Within 21-120 m of the ginseng patch:
  • Harvest, renewal, and tending operations that leave ruts or a significant area of exposed mineral soil are not permitted (see Section 5.2).
Guideline - Disturbance of the forest floor will be minimized within 21-120 m of the ginseng patch; extraction trail coverage will not exceed 10%.		Standard - Within 21-120 m of the ginseng patch:
  • Harvest, renewal, and tending operations will be conducted in a manner that minimizes site disturbance. Operations within the AOC will not:
    • Exceed 2% coverage of ruts.
    • Exceed 10% coverage of extraction trails.
    • Leave ruts or a significant area of exposed mineral soil. If coverage of ruts and extraction trails is ≤ 2% and ≤ 10%, respectively, operations will be considered compliant if ruts and significant areas of exposed mineral soil in the AOC are remediated in a timely manner following MNRF conditions1 (i.e., the forest floor is returned to a condition that promotes the establishment of ginseng but deters the establishment of competing invasive species (without adversely affecting ginseng plants or habitat suitability)).
Footnote 1 says … MNRF will determine locally appropriate conditions on a case-by-case basis using local experience and best available information and advice.		The original direction was intended to minimize disturbance of the forest floor within 21-120 m of large ginseng patches to reduce the risk of damaging undetected plants or adversely affecting seed banks (OMNR 2010b:397).
When the original direction was developed, there was no empirical evidence to suggest how much site disturbance might be acceptable within habitat surrounding ginseng patches. Direction was based on that prescribed for operations adjacent to aquatic features (i.e., leave no ruts or significant exposed mineral soil where significant meant ≤ 5% mineral soil exposure and no patches > 4 m2) since this direction was considered to result in very little site disturbance (see Section 4.1 in OMNR 2010a).
Experience indicates that operators find it very difficult to avoid creating any ruts or patches of exposed mineral soil > 4 m2 in size in an area the size of the AOC. Moreover, the direction was somewhat ambiguous (e.g., if a rut is created but remediated, are operations compliant?).
Recent empirical information suggests that mineral soil exposure and/or compaction may adversely affect ginseng survival and/or recruitment, supporting the continued focus on restricting site disturbance. For example, in a manipulative experiment in Ohio, Albrecht and McCarthy (2009) found greater ginseng seedling establishment on some site types when shallow litter cover (2 cm) was present compared to deeper litter cover (5 cm) or exposed mineral soil. In operational trials in West Virginia, Chandler and McGraw (2015) attributed significant mortality of ginseng plants to site disturbance during selection and diameter-limit harvests within patches of ginseng. Moreover, site disturbance may facilitate establishment of invasive competitors such as garlic mustard (Nature Conservancy of Canada 2007).
However, there continues to be no empirical information to suggest how much site disturbance might be acceptable within habitat surrounding ginseng patches. Thus, thresholds in the original standard and guideline were not changed.
However, all direction related to site disturbance has been placed together to reduce complexity. The revised text also clarifies that operations will be considered compliant if any ruts or significant areas of exposed mineral soil created are remediated in a timely manner (assuming that operations have complied with rutting and extraction trail requirements). The direction specifies that remediation must return the forest floor to a condition that promotes the establishment of ginseng but deters the establishment of competing invasive species (without adversely affecting ginseng plants or habitat suitability)) but does not prescribe specific conditions. This results-based approach is intended to provide local managers with flexibility to develop local solutions appropriate for local situations.

Conditions on Roads, Landings, and Aggregate Pits

Original Directionfootnote 18Revised Directionfootnote 19Rationale
Standard - Landings and aggregate pits are not permitted within the AOC.Standard - New landings and aggregate pits are not permitted within the AOC.
Guideline - When there are no practical or feasible alternatives, old landings within 21-120 m of the ginseng patch that are clearly recognizable and that are currently dominated by vegetation that, if removed, would not significantly alter the suitability of the landing or surrounding forest as potential ginseng habitat (i.e., dominant vegetation generally comprised of raspberries, other shrubs, and saplings < 3 m tall) may be reused subject to MNRF conditionsfootnote 20 on construction and use that minimize the risk of adversely affecting ginseng plants or habitat suitability. The footprint of the landing will not be increased. In the absence of reusable landings, wood may be piled and processed on road rights-of-way within 21-120 m of the ginseng patch (if consistent with MNRF conditions on corridor width and worker and public safety considerations). Gaps associated with landings will be included in the estimation of canopy closure (see above).
Footnote 1 says … MNRF will determine locally appropriate conditions on a case-by-case basis using local experience and best available information and advice.		The original direction prohibited landings within the AOC because landings create large canopy gaps and represent severe disturbance of the forest floor (OMNR 2010b:398).
Experience indicates that harvest blocks often contain multiple dispersed ginseng patches, resulting in a large proportion of harvest blocks affected by these restrictions. This can severely limit options for locating landings which has led to impractical skidding distances and has made some blocks inoperable.
Ginseng may be adapted to sporadic small-scale canopy-opening events that create a spatially and temporally heterogeneous light environment (i.e., dense shade for germination, small gaps to promote growth and flowering) (McGraw et al 2013, Wagner and McGraw 2013, Chandler and McGraw 2015). However, disturbances that remove a large proportion of the forest canopy and/or create large canopy openings are unlikely to maintain suitable habitat conditions for ginseng.
Thus, creation of large canopy gaps associated with new landings continues to be prohibited in the revised direction. However, use of old landings that are clearly recognizable and that are currently dominated by vegetation that, if removed, would not significantly alter the suitability of the landing or surrounding forest as potential ginseng habitat is permitted. It is assumed that old landings dominated by raspberries, other shrubs, and saplings < 3 m tall will normally not be providing suitable conditions (e.g., light, microclimate, soil compaction) for establishment of ginseng and that removal will have little influence on the amount of edge effect associated with the landing. Moreover, the revised direction requires that the footprint of the landing not be increased and that canopy gaps associated with existing landings be included when estimating canopy closure (i.e., gaps contribute to the requirement to retain at least 70% canopy closure within 21-120 m of large ginseng patches).
In most cases, reuse of existing landings will result in significant renewed disturbance of the forest floor. This is unlikely to directly affect ginseng plants (since ginseng plants should not be found within the 21-120 m zone surrounding the patch) but may, in some specific cases, influence potential for expansion of a patch. Moreover, exposed mineral soil on landings may facilitate introduction of invasive plant species such as garlic mustard. Thus, use of old landings 21-120 m from ginseng patches is subject to MNRF conditions on construction and use that will minimize the risk of adversely affecting ginseng plants or habitat suitability. The revised direction does not prescribe specific conditions. This results-based approach is intended to provide local managers with flexibility to develop local solutions appropriate for local situations.
To provide some additional flexibility, the revised direction permits the piling and processing of wood on road rights-of-way if there are no reusable landings and if consistent with MNRF conditions on corridor width and worker and public safety considerations.
Guideline - New roads are not permitted within 21-120 m of the ginseng patch unless there is no practical or feasible alternative, the potential impact on ginseng habitat and the potential for illegal collection can be mitigated (e.g., corridor width <10 m, no grubbing, no disruption of hydrological flow, locate road as far from ginseng patch as possible and where patch is not visible from road), and the road, including specific location, is identified and justified through the FMP AOC planning process (subject to restrictions on the mapping of classified values). Winter roads will be used unless there is no practical or feasible alternative.Guideline - Generally, new roads are not permitted within 21-120 m of the ginseng patch unless there is no practical or feasible alternative, and the road, including specific location, is identified and justified through the FMP AOC planning process2. However, these restrictions do not apply to new single-lane roads constructed on clearly recognizable roadbeds that are currently dominated by vegetation that, if removed, would not significantly alter the suitability of the road or surrounding forest as potential ginseng habitat (i.e., dominant vegetation generally comprised of raspberries, other shrubs, and saplings < 3 m tall). In all cases, new roads will be located in consultation with MNRF and construction, maintenance, and use will be subject to MNRF conditionsfootnote 21 that restrict traffic volume and road longevity or that otherwise minimize the risk of adversely affecting ginseng plants, habitat suitability, or facilitating access by illegal harvesters. Winter roads will be used unless there is no practical or feasible alternative. Gaps associated with roads will be included in the estimation of canopy closure (see above).
Footnote 1 says … MNRF will determine locally appropriate conditions on a case-by-case basis using local experience and best available information and advice.
Footnote 2 says … Subject to restrictions on the mapping of classified values.		The original direction limited construction of new roads within 21-120 m of ginseng patches because roads create canopy openings and potentially facilitate illegal collection (OMNR 2010b:398).
The original direction did allow some flexibility if there was no practical or feasible alternative and potential impacts could be mitigated. However, experience indicates that harvest blocks often contain multiple dispersed ginseng patches, resulting in a large proportion of harvest blocks affected by these restrictions. This can severely limit options for locating roads which has led to impractical skidding distances and has made some blocks inoperable.
The revised direction continues to provide the flexibility permitted in the original direction. It also provides some additional flexibility by permitting new single-lane roads if constructed on clearly recognizable roadbeds that are currently dominated by vegetation that, if removed, would not significantly alter the suitability of the road or surrounding forest as potential ginseng habitat. It is assumed that roadbeds dominated by raspberries, other shrubs, and saplings < 3 m tall will normally not be providing suitable conditions (e.g., light, microclimate, soil compaction)  for establishment of ginseng and that removal will have little influence on the amount of edge effect associated with the road.
This additional flexibility was intended to encourage reuse of old roadbeds (when this could be done with minimal impact on ginseng plants and their habitat) to minimize the ecological footprint of the access network (e.g., reduced loss of productive land, fewer water crossings, etc.).
However, new roads (whether built on new or old roadbeds) may potentially affect ginseng plants within a patch by indirectly altering habitat suitability within the patch (e.g., by disrupting hydrological flow in a seepage area connected to a patch) or by facilitating access by illegal harvesters or the introduction of invasive species. Moreover, new roads may affect the potential for habitat outside a patch to support expansion of the patch. Thus, the revised direction requires that all new roads be located in consultation with MNRF and that construction, maintenance, and use be subject to MNRF conditions that restrict traffic volume and road longevity or that otherwise minimize the risk of adversely affecting ginseng plants, habitat suitability, or facilitating access by illegal harvesters. The revised direction does not prescribe specific conditions. This results-based approach is intended to provide local managers with flexibility to develop local solutions appropriate for local situations.

Literature cited

Albrecht, M.A., and B.C. McCarthy. 2009. Seedling establishment shapes the distribution of shade-adapted forest herbs across a topographical moisture gradient. J. Ecol. 97:1037-1049.

Chandler, J.L., and J.B. McGraw. 2015. Variable effects of timber harvest on the survival, growth, and reproduction of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.). For. Ecol. Manage. 344:1-9.

McGraw, J.B., A.E. Lubbers, M. Van der Voort, E.H. Mooney, M.A. Furedi, S. Souther, J.B. Turner, and J. Chandler. 2013. Ecology and conservation of ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) in a changing world. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 2013:1-30.

Nature Conservancy of Canada. 2007. Control methods for the invasive plant garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) within Ontario natural areas.V1.0. NCC – Southwestern Ontario Region, London, ON. http://www.weedinfo.ca/media/pdf/garlic_natureconservatory.pdf

OMNR. 2010a. Forest management guide for conserving biodiversity at the stand and site scales. Queen’s Printer for Ontario, Toronto, ON. /environment-and-energy/forest-management-guide-conserving-biodiversity-stand-and-site-scales-stand-and-site-guide

OMNR. 2010b. Forest management guide for conserving biodiversity at the stand and site scales: background and rationale for direction. Queen’s Printer for Ontario, Toronto, ON. /environment-and-energy/stand-and-site-guide-background-and-rationale-direction

Blanding’s turtle rationale

Rationale for changes to the direction for Blanding’s turtle in the Forest management guide for conserving biodiversity at the stand and site scales (the Stand and Site Guide).

Value

Original Directionfootnote 22Revised Directionfootnote 23Rationale
Blanding’s turtle habitat, spotted turtle habitatBlanding’s turtle habitatReferences to the spotted turtle were removed here and throughout (Blanding’s turtle and spotted turtle are addressed separately).

Description

Original Directionfootnote 24Revised Directionfootnote 25Rationale
Suitable aquatic and associated habitats occupied by the Blanding’s turtle or spotted turtle within the past 20 years defined by either
  • suitable aquatic habitats known to be occupied by a local population of turtles, as delineated through field survey, and terrestrial habitats within 300 m these aquatic habitats,
  • suitable aquatic habitats with a high likelihood of being occupied by a local population of turtles based on proximity (≤1000 m for Blanding’s turtle, ≤500 m for spotted turtle) to individual Element of Occurrenceobservation points or other reliable sightings, and terrestrial habitats within 300 m these aquatic habitats, or
  • as otherwise defined by an ESA habitat description or habitat regulation.
Aquatic and terrestrial habitats within 2 km of individual Element Occurrence observation points or other reliable sightings from within the past 20 years.The description was changed significantly to reduce ambiguity, better reflect how the AOC was being delineated by planning teams, and better reflect the area within which turtles might be encountered.
The first sub-bullet was removed since the AOC was not being delineated in this manner by planning teams.
The second sub-bullet was changed to better reflect the area within which turtles might be encountered. The original direction recognized suitable aquatic habitats (and associated terrestrial habitats) within 1 km of individual Element Occurrenceobservation points or other reliable sightings as having a high likelihood of being occupied based on information on average home range length available at the time of guide preparation (see OMNR 2010b:439). A number of recent studies of radio-tagged turtles in Ontario and Quebec continue to suggest that average annual home range length is typically about 1 km in Canadian populations. For example, mean annual range length was 0.8 km (SD=0.5, n=37), 0.8 km (SD=0.6, n=35), 1.1 km (SD=0.6, n=47), and 1.3 km (SD=0.7, n=40) for populations on Grenadier Island ON (Millar 2010), near Parry Sound ON (Jeremy Rousefootnote 26 unpublished data 2015), in and around Gatineau Park QC (Dubois et al 2012), and near Bancroft ON (Graham Cameronfootnote 27 unpublished data 2015), respectively.
However, in 1 population of turtles in Algonquin Park ON, average range length was 1.8 km (Chris Edge unpublished data 2013, cited in OMNR no date). Moreover, in the populations studied near Parry Sound and Bancroft, 25% of turtles had an annual range length ≥ 1.0 km and ≥ 1.5 km, respectively.
While the maximum annual range length observed was ≥ 2.0 km in all Ontario and Quebec populations, about 85-95% of annual range lengths were < 2 km in the populations studied near Bancroft and Parry Sound.
Thus, there is a high likelihood of encountering turtles within 1 km of sightings and a lower likelihood of encountering turtles within 1-2 km of sightings. Consequently, the revised direction focuses on aquatic and terrestrial habitats within 2 km of individual Element Occurrenceobservation points or other reliable sightings but places the greatest restrictions on operations within the inner 1 km of the AOC – see below.
The third sub-bullet was removed since there is no habitat regulation for Blanding’s turtle and forestry operations are, at the time of writing, subject to conditions in Ontario Regulation 176/13.
Suitable aquatic habitat is defined as aquatic features that have a high potential to be used either during the active season (summer habitat) or during hibernation (winter habitat), as identified by MNRF based on field surveys or other reliable methods.Suitable aquatic habitat is defined as aquatic features that have a high potential to be used either during the active season (suitable summer habitat) or during hibernation (suitable winter habitat), as identified by MNRF based on field surveys or other reliable methods.The revised text clarifies that direction applies to suitable summer and winter habitat.

Operational Prescriptions for the AOC

Original Directionfootnote 28Revised Directionfootnote 29Rationale
Standard - Regular harvest, renewal, and tending operations are permitted within the AOC subject to the following restrictions:Standard - Within the inner 1 km of the AOC, regular harvest, renewal, and tending operations are permitted subject to the following restrictions:These standards apply only within the inner 1 km of the AOC because there is a lower likelihood of encountering turtles in the outer 1 km of the AOC and there is no empirical evidence that harvest, renewal, and tending operations have a significant effect on turtles or their habitat.
Standard - Harvest, renewal, and tending operations are not permitted within 30 m of known or suspected nesting sites (both species), within 30 m of suitable summer habitat (both species), or within 30 m of known or suspected aestivation sites (spotted turtle).Standard - Harvest, renewal, and tending operations are not permitted within 30 m of known or suspected nesting sites as identified by MNRFfootnote 30.
Footnote 1 says … MNRF will identify suspected nesting sites based on factors such as proximity to suitable summer habitat, exposure, aspect, and substrate using local experience and best available information and advice.		The original direction prohibited harvest, renewal, and tending operations within 30 m of aquatic features used during summer to minimize disturbance of habitat with the highest likelihood of being used by basking or aestivating turtles(OMNR 2010b:439).
Prohibiting operations adjacent to all summer habitat is inconsistent with the CFSA’s principle of emulating natural disturbance and may have unintended adverse ecological consequences. For example, prohibiting disturbance in shoreline forests may discourage beaver activity and the creation and maintenance of beaver-controlled wetlands upon which the Blanding’s turtle and many other species rely (see discussion in OMNR 2010b:313-319). In addition, feedback from practitioners suggested that the cumulative application of these restrictions is significantly impeding access to some blocks, reducing wood supply, and rendering some blocks inoperable.
Moreover, discussions with species` experts (Graham Cameronfootnote 31, Joe Crowleyfootnote 32, (Jeremy Rousefootnote 33) suggested that a 30 m restriction is likely not necessary to avoid risk to basking or aestivating turtles or to maintain the integrity of suitable aquatic habitat. Basking and aestivating turtles are protected through timing restrictions on operations (see below) and the integrity of suitable aquatic habitat is maintained by following the general direction for protecting aquatic features in the Stand and Site Guide.
Thus, the 30 m prohibition on harvest, renewal, and tending was removed (and replaced by restrictions on site disturbance within 15 m of suitable summer habitat – see below).
The revised text also clarifies that ‘known or suspected nesting sites’ are those identified by MNRF.
 Standard - No harvest, renewal, or tending operations are permitted that will result in damage to littoral zones or shorelines and associated stabilizing vegetation, or deposition of sediment within suitable summer habitat. Operations specifically prohibited within the AOC include:To ensure that harvest, renewal, and tending operations will not adversely affect the ecological integrity of suitable summer habitat, all operations are subject to the standard conditions placed on operations adjacent to standing and flowing waters outlined in Section 4.1 of the Stand and Site Guide.
Standard - Operations involving heavy equipment (e.g., mechanical harvesters, skidders, bulldozers) or otherwise representing a potential injury risk to turtles are not permitted within suitable winter habitat (any season), within 150 m of suitable summer habitat during the active season(see below), or within 151-300 m of suitable summer habitat during the nesting period(see below).Standard - Operations involving heavy equipment (e.g., mechanical harvesters, skidders, bulldozers) or otherwise representing a potential injury risk to turtles are not permitted within suitable winter habitat (any season), within 30 m of suitable summer habitat during the active season, within 150 m of suitable summer habitat during the terrestrial period (except during the low activity period), and within 300 m of suitable summer habitat during the nesting period.Operations involving heavy equipment may potentially harm or harass turtles that are on land basking, aestivating, or making inter-wetland movements. The original direction prohibited operations involving heavy equipment within at least 150 m of suitable summer habitat during the active season.
Experience indicates that the widespread nature of the species and the broad range of habitats occupied frequently result in a large proportion of harvest blocks affected by these restrictions. This significantly restricts the operating season in some areas, influencing staff retention and viability of companies. The timing restriction may also limit the ability to conduct necessary silvicultural operations (e.g., mechanical site preparation).
The extent of terrestrial activity by turtles varies during the active season, generally with highest activity during nesting and lowest activity during mid-summer (see below). Outside the terrestrial period and during the low activity period (see below), turtles are assumed to spend little time in terrestrial habitats.
Thus, the revised direction continues to restrict operations involving heavy equipment within 150 m of suitable summer habitat from May 1 to September 30 (now referred to as the terrestrial period) and within 300 m of suitable summer habitat during the nesting period. However, operations are permitted to within 30 m of suitable summer habitat during the active season if conducted outside the terrestrial periodor during the lowactivity period.
Guideline - A local strategy will be developed to address how turtles will be protected if encountered during operations.Guideline - Within the entire AOC, a local protocol will be developed that describes how turtles will be protected from injury if encountered during operations (i.e., how they should be handled, temporarily held, and/or relocated)footnote 34.
Footnote 2 says … See MNRF’s Ontario Species at Risk Handling Manua lfor suggestions.		Turtles encountered during operations must be protected from injury regardless of where they are found within the AOC. The revised text clarifies that the strategy applies to the entire AOC. It also more clearly states what is to be accomplished by the strategy and makes reference to the Ontario Species at Risk Handling Manualfor suggestions.
Guideline - The active seasonis defined as May 1 to September 30 for the Blanding’s turtle and April 1 to October 31 for the spotted turtle. The nesting periodis defined as June 1 to 30 for both species. Local knowledge may be used to adjust these dates.Guideline - The active season is defined as April 15 to October 15. The terrestrial period is defined as May 1 to September 30. The nesting period is defined as June 1 to 30. The low activity period is defined as July 15 to August 31. Local knowledge may be used to adjust these dates.Recent research in Ontario suggests that turtles may be ‘active’ from about mid-April to mid-October (e.g., Edge et al 2009). Thus, the active seasonwas changed to April 15 to October 15. The active seasonas defined in the original direction appears tobe fairly representative of the period during which turtles typically make terrestrial movements. Thus, the period from May 1 to September 30 was redefined as the terrestrial period.
The extent of terrestrial activity varies during the terrestrial period, generally with highest activity during nesting and lowest activity during mid-summer (e.g., Beaudry et al 2010, Millar and Blouin-Demers 2011, Refsnider and Linck 2012). In Bancroft and Parry Sound Districts, this mid-summer period of low terrestrial activity typically occurs from about mid-July to the end of August (Graham Cameronfootnote 35 personal communication 2015, (Jeremy Rousefootnote 36 personal communication 2015).
Thus, the revised direction defines a new low activity period as July 15 to August 31.
BMP - Minimize operations involving heavy equipment (e.g., mechanical harvesters, skidders, bulldozers) or otherwise representing a potential injury risk to turtles within 151-300 m of suitable summer habitat during the entire active season(see above).BMP - Within the entire AOC, minimize operations involving heavy equipment (e.g. mechanical harvesters, skidders, bulldozers) or otherwise representing a potential injury risk to turtles within 300 m of suitable summer habitat during the active season.Considering the potential for harvest, renewal, and tending operations to harm or harass turtles, but the lower likelihood of encountering turtles in the outer 1 km of the AOC and the lack of empirical evidence that harvest, renewal, and tending operations have a significant effect on turtles, it seems reasonable to apply this direction to the entire AOC as a best management practice only.

Conditions on Roads, Landings, and Aggregate Pits

Original Directionfootnote 37Revised Directionfootnote 38Rationale
Standard - During the active season, use of roads within the AOC will be accompanied by driver awareness training.Standard - During the active season, use of roads within the entire AOC will be accompanied by driver awareness training.Traffic-related mortality is considered one of the primary threats to the species (COSEWIC 2005); female turtles appear to be especially vulnerable (Steen et al. 2006). Population persistence appears to be very sensitive to even small increases in adult mortality (Congdon et al. 1993); annual loss of 2-3% of adults to traffic-related mortality is likely not sustainable (Gibbs and Shriver 2002).
Traffic-related mortality appears to be most significant when road densities and traffic volumes are high. For example, Gibbs and Shriver (2002) suggested that road densities > 1 km/km2 and traffic volumes > 100 vehicles/lane/day would result in unsustainable traffic-related mortality in populations of terrestrial and semi-terrestrial turtles. Numerous studies report large numbers of turtles (including Blanding’s turtles) killed on highways and other high volume roadways. However, even in rural settings mortality may be significant. For example, in a rural study area in Maine (density of 0.30 to 1.35 km of 2-lane paved and gravel roads per km2 with an average traffic volume of 400 vehicles/day), Beaudry et al (2010) estimated that about 0.4% and 0.7% of male and female Blanding’s turtles, respectively, were killed annually by traffic.
Although there is anecdotal information suggesting that both adult and hatchling Blanding’s turtles are killed on forest access roads, it is likely that the magnitude of traffic-related mortality is lower than in the studies noted above given the low volume of traffic typical on most forest access roads. This assumption is supported by some empirical evidence. For example, in Algonquin Park, none of the 22 radio-tagged adult Blanding’s turtles studied by Edge (2008) in 2006 or 2007 and only 1 of 48 radio-tagged hatchling turtles studied by Paterson et al (2012) in 2009 or 2010 were killed by traffic. Moreover, none of the 47 radio-tagged or GPS-bugged wood turtles (a more terrestrial species) monitored during 3 years in the Algoma Forest was lost to traffic-related mortality, despite the presence of major forest access roads within the 2 watersheds studied (Dean Thompsonfootnote 39 , personal communication 2015).
Driver awareness training is one of the keys to mitigating the potential for traffic-related mortality on roads used by forest workers. Thus, the standard applies to the entire AOC.
Standard - Landings and aggregate pits are not permitted within 150 m of suitable summer habitat.Standards - Within the inner 1 km of the AOC:
  • New aggregate pits are not permitted within 150 m of suitable summer habitat.
  • Construction of new landings and use of existing landings are not permitted within 30 m of known or suspected nesting sites as identified by MNRFfootnote 40.
The original direction prohibited landings and aggregate pits within 150 m of suitable summer habitat to minimize access and future disturbance within terrestrial habitat most likely to be used during the active season(OMNR 2010b:440).
Experience indicates that the widespread nature of the species and the broad range of habitats occupied frequently results in a large proportion of harvest blocks affected by these restrictions, severely limiting options for the location of landings, thus influencing the operability of harvest blocks.
However, landings (and aggregate pits) by themselves are unlikely to have significant effects on turtles if there are appropriate controls on traffic (see below) and the timing of operations (see above). Risk of adverse effects could be further reduced by avoiding sites known or suspected to be used for nesting.
Thus, the revised direction permits the construction of new landings and use of existing landings except within 30 m of known or suspected nesting sites as identified by MNRF. The restriction on aggregate pits was not identified as an issue by the forest industry so this direction was not modified at this time.
The standards do not apply within the outer 1 km of the AOC; the perceived risk to turtles is low given the lower likelihood of encountering turtles within this area, the low volume of traffic on roads accessing these features, and the other direction that influences the potential for traffic-related mortality (see above).
Standard - New roads (including winter roads) are not permitted within suitable winter habitat (both species), within 30 m of known or suspected nesting sites (both species), or within 30 m of known or suspected aestivation sites (spotted turtle).Standard - Within the inner 1 km of the AOC: New roads (including winter roads and approaches to water crossings) are not permitted within suitable winter habitat, within 30 m of suitable summer habitat (unless constructed using techniques that will avoid traffic-related mortality as specified by MNRF conditionsfootnote 41 ), or within 30 m of known or suspected nesting sites as identified by MNRFfootnote 42 .
Footnote 3 says … MNRF will determine appropriate conditions on a case-by-case basis using local experience and best available information and advice.		The revised direction permits construction of some new all-weather roads within 150 m of suitable summer habitat if there is no practical or feasible alternative or roads can be constructed on clearly recognizable roadbeds, subject to MNRF conditions designed to avoid traffic-related mortality (see below).
Since traffic-related mortality is considered the most important forestry-related threat (see above), the revised direction continues to prohibit new roads within high risk locations, i.e., suitable winter habitat, within 30 m of known or suspected nesting sites, or within 30 m of suitable summer habitat (unless constructed using techniques that will avoid traffic-related mortality as specified by MNRF conditions).
The standard does not apply within the outer 1 km of the AOC; the perceived risk to turtles is low given the lower likelihood of encountering turtles within this area, the low volume of traffic associated with these roads, and the other direction that influences the potential for traffic-related mortality (see above).
Standard - Road construction and aggregate extraction are not permitted within 150 m of suitable summer habitat during the active season or within 151-300 m of suitable summer habitat during the nesting period(see above).Standard - Within the inner 1 km of the AOC: Road construction and aggregate extraction are not permitted within 30 m of known or suspected nesting sites (as identified by MNRFfootnote 43), within 30 m of suitable summer habitat during the active season, within 150 m of suitable summer habitat during the terrestrial period(except during the low activity period), and within 300 m of suitable summer habitat during the nesting period.The original direction restricted road construction and aggregate extraction within 150 m of suitable summer habitat during the active season and within 151-300 m of suitable summer habitat during the nesting period to reduce the risk of mortality or injury associated with encounters with heavy equipment (OMNR 2010b:440).
Similar to restrictions on harvest, renewal, and tending operations, this significantly restricts the operating season in some areas, influencing staff retention and viability of companies.
Similar to harvest, renewal, and tending operations (see above), road construction and aggregate extraction operations > 30 m from suitable summer habitat are unlikely to adversely affect turtles outside the terrestrial periodor during the low activity period.
Thus, the revised direction continues to restrict road construction and aggregate extraction operations within 150 m of suitable summer habitat from May 1 to September 30 (i.e., during the terrestrial period) and within 300 m of suitable summer habitat during the nesting period. However, operations are permitted to within 30 m of suitable summer habitat during the active season if conducted outside the terrestrial periodor during the low activity period.
The standard does not apply within the outer 1 km of the AOC; the perceived risk to turtles is low given the lower likelihood of encountering turtles within this area and the limited amount of area affected by these operations.
Standards -
  • Water drawdowns are not permitted in suitable aquatic habitat.
  • Within 150 m of suitable summer habitat, dust control may be accomplished with the use of water only.
Standards - Within the inner 1 km of the AOC:
  • Water drawdowns are not permitted in suitable aquatic habitat.
  • Within 150 m of suitable summer habitat, dust control may be accomplished with the use of water only.
The original direction prohibited water drawdowns because they might adversely affect habitat suitability and use of dust suppressants because they might cause desiccation of turtle eggs in nests along roads (OMNR 2010b:440-441). However, the significance of these factors is largely unknown.
The revised direction continues to require these restrictions, but only within the inner 1 km of the AOC. The perceived risk in the outer 1 km was considered low given the lower likelihood of encountering turtles within this area, the low frequency of water drawdowns, and the lack of empirical evidence that dust suppressants adversely affect turtle eggs.
Guideline - Use of roads within the AOC will be accompanied by a strategy to mitigate potential for traffic-related mortality of turtles if the road is used during the active season. Tactics may include:
  • modifying driver behavior through use of warning signs,
  • reducing volume of traffic through use of access control measures such as gates,
  • restricting speed through training, signage, or speed control devices, or
  • other methods developed in consultation with MNRF.
Guideline - Use of roads within the entire AOC will be accompanied by a strategy to mitigate potential for traffic-related mortality of turtles if the road is used during the active season. Tactics may include:
  • modifying driver behavior through use of warning signs,
  • reducing volume of traffic through use of access control measures such as gates or road decommissioning,
  • restricting speed through training, signage, or speed control devices, or
  • other methods developed in consultation with MNRF.
Since traffic-related mortality is considered the primary forestry-related threat to the species (see above), the requirement for a strategy to mitigate potential traffic-related mortality was extended to the entire AOC.
Road decommissioning was added as a potential tactic to mitigate potential for traffic-related mortality.
Guideline - Reasonable efforts will be made to ensure roads constructed within the AOC will be located to avoid key habitat features (e.g., nesting sites, hibernacula) and concentrations of turtle sightings and to minimize access within the AOC. Roads will be located in consultation with MNRF.Guideline - Reasonable efforts will be made to ensure roads constructed within the entire AOC will be located to avoid key habitat features (e.g., nesting sites, hibernacula, suspected travel corridors) and concentrations of turtle sightings as identified by MNRF.
Guideline - Within the inner 1 km of the AOC: Reasonable efforts will be made to minimize access. New roads will be located in consultation with MNRF.		Since potential travel corridors may be predictable (e.g., Beaudry et al 2008), ‘suspected travel corridors’ was added to the list of key habitat features in the first guideline. Since traffic-related mortality is considered the primary forestry-related threat to the species (see above), it seemed prudent to avoid key habitat features when locating roads within the outer 1 km of the AOC even though there is a lower likelihood of encountering turtles within this area, there is a low volume of traffic on these roads, and there is other direction that influences the potential for traffic-related mortality (see above).
The second guideline does not apply within the outer 1 km of the AOC; the perceived risk to turtles is low given the lower likelihood of encountering turtles within this area, the low volume of traffic on these roads, and the other direction that influences the potential for traffic-related mortality (see above).
Guideline - New all weather roads are not permitted within 150 m of suitable summer habitat unless there is no practical or feasible alternative, and the road, including specific location, is identified and justified through the FMP AOC planning process.Guideline - Generally, new all-weather roads are not permitted within 150 m of suitable summer habitat unless there is no practical or feasible alternative, and the road, including specific location, is identified and justified through the FMP AOC planning process. However, these restrictions do not apply to new all-weather single-lane roads constructed on clearly recognizable roadbeds that are dominated by vegetation no larger than shrubs and sapling-sized trees, unless in high risk locations as identified by MNRFfootnote 44. In all cases, new all-weather roads will be decommissioned or otherwise subject to access control measures following operations. As well, the location and construction of all new all-weather roads will be subject to locally appropriate MNRF conditionsfootnote 45 that restrict traffic speed/volume and road longevity or that otherwise minimize the risk of traffic-related mortality.
Footnote 4 says … MNRF will identify high risk locations based on factors such as proximity to suitable aquatic habitat, hibernacula, nesting sites, and potential travel corridors using local experience and best available information and advice.		The original direction limited construction of new all-weather roads within 150 m of suitable summer habitat since forest access roads could potentially facilitate traffic-related mortality.
The original direction did permit some flexibility if there was no practical or feasible alternative. However, experience indicates that the widespread nature of the species and the broad range of habitats occupied frequently results in a large proportion of harvest blocks affected by these restrictions. This severely limits options for the location of new roads, influencing the operability of harvest blocks.
The revised direction continues to provide the flexibility permitted in the original direction. It also provides some additional flexibility by permitting new single-lane roads if constructed on clearly recognizable roadbeds that are dominated by sapling-sized or smaller trees (i.e., the road was abandoned relatively recently), unless in high risk locations as identified by MNRF.
This additional flexibility was intended to encourage reuse of old roadbeds (when this could be done with minimal effect on turtles) to minimize the ecological footprint of the access network (e.g., reduced loss of productive land, fewer water crossings etc).
However, any new roads may potentially affect turtles. Thus, the revised direction requires that all new all-weather roads be located and constructed subject to locally appropriate MNRF conditions that restrict traffic speed/volume and road longevity or that otherwise minimize the risk of traffic-related mortality. The revised direction does not prescribe specific conditions. This results-based approach is intended to provide local managers with flexibility to develop local solutions appropriate for local situations.
The guideline does not apply within the outer 1 km of the AOC; the perceived risk to turtles is low given the lower likelihood of encountering turtles within this area, the low volume of traffic on these roads, and the other direction that influences the potential for traffic-related mortality (see above).
Guidelines -
  • Reasonable efforts will be made to avoid constructing new all weather roads, landings, and aggregate pits within 151-300 m of suitable summer habitat.
  • Reasonable efforts will be made to promptly decommission new roads or implement access control measures within the AOC.
  • When roads are constructed within the AOC, reasonable efforts will be made to use winter roads and temporary water crossings.
Guidelines – Within the inner 1 km of the AOC:
  • Reasonable efforts will be made to avoid constructing new all-weather roads and aggregate pits within 151-300 m of suitable summer habitat.
  • Reasonable efforts will be made to promptly decommission new roads or implement access control measures.
  • When new roads are constructed, reasonable efforts will be made to use winter roads and temporary water crossings.
The reference to landings was removed from the first bullet (see above discussion).
The guidelines do not apply within the outer 1 km of the AOC; the perceived risk to turtles is low given the lower likelihood of encountering turtles within this area, the low volume of traffic on these roads, and the other direction that influences the potential for traffic-related mortality (see above).
Guideline - Hauling is not permitted within 150 m of suitable summer habitat during the active seasonor within 151-300 m of suitable summer habitat during the nesting period, except in extraordinary circumstances as specifically identified and justified through the FMP AOC planning process.Guideline - Within the inner 1 km of the AOC: Hauling is not permitted within 150 m of suitable summer habitat during the terrestrial period(except during the low activity periodsubject to conditions identified by MNRFfootnote 46) or within 300 m of suitable summer habitat during the nesting period, except in extraordinary circumstances as specifically identified and justified through the FMP AOC planning process.The original direction restricted hauling within 150 m of suitable summer habitat during the active season and within 151-300 m during the nesting period to reduce the risk of mortality or injury associated with encounters with heavy equipment(OMNR 2010b:442).
Similar to restrictions on harvest, renewal, and tending operations, this timing restriction significantly restricts the operating season in some areas, influencing staff retention and viability of companies.
Similar to harvest, renewal, and tending operations (see above), hauling is unlikely to adversely affect turtles from mid-July to the end of August, especially considering the low volume of traffic associated with hauling and the requirements for driver awareness training and the strategy to mitigate potential for traffic-related mortality (see above).
Thus, the revised direction continues to restrict hauling within 150 m of suitable summer habitat from May 1 to September 30 (i.e., during the terrestrial period) and within 300 m of suitable summer habitat during the nesting periodexcept during the low activity period(subject to the strategy developed to mitigate the risk of traffic-related mortality (see above) and any additional site-specific conditions identified by MNRF).
The guideline does not apply within the outer 1 km of the AOC; the perceived risk to turtles is low given the lower likelihood of encountering turtles within this area, the low volume of traffic on these roads, and the other direction that influences the potential for traffic-related mortality (see above).
Guideline - During the nesting and incubation periods(June 1 to September 30 for Blanding’s turtle; June 1 to October 31 for spotted turtle) road maintenance operations that disturb the roadbed (except that required for safety reasons or environmental protection) are not permitted within 150 m of suitable summer habitat or along other road segments known or suspected to be used for nesting, except in extraordinary circumstances, as specifically identified and justified through the FMP AOC planning process. The timing of this restriction may be adjusted to reflect annual variation in weather or other local factors.Guideline - Within the inner 1 km of the AOC: During the nesting and incubation period(June 1 to September 30) road maintenance operations that disturb the roadbed (except those required for safety reasons or environmental protection) are not permitted within 150 m of suitable summer habitat except along road segments unlikely to be used for nesting as identified by MNRFfootnote 47 or in extraordinary circumstances, as specifically identified and justified through the FMP AOC planning process. The timing of this restriction may be adjusted to reflect annual variation in weather or other local factors.
Footnote 5 says … MNRF will identify road segments unlikely to be used for nesting based on factors such as roadbed material, canopy closure, and aspect using local experience and best available information and advice.		Blanding’s turtles will nest along the shoulders of forest access roads (e.g., Edge 2008). There is anecdotal information suggesting that nests may be disturbed during road maintenance operations. However, the magnitude of effects is largely unknown.
Since the majority of nests in Ontario occur < 150 m from water (e.g., Edge et al. 2007), the original direction did not permit maintenance operations that disturbed the roadbed on roads within 150 m of suitable summer habitat or on roads known or suspected to be used for nesting during the nesting and incubation periods (June 1 to September 30).
Experience suggests these restrictions increase the cost and decrease the effectiveness of road maintenance operations.
Moreover, applying restrictions to all roads within 150 m of suitable summer habitat may not be necessary since many roads (or portions of roads) may not be suitable nesting sites considering roadbed material, canopy closure, and/or aspect.
Thus, the revised direction excludes road segments unlikely to be used for nesting (as identified by MNRF) from the timing restriction.
The guideline does not apply within the outer 1 km of the AOC since the likelihood of encountering nests within this area is considered to be lower and the significance of nest loss by road maintenance operations is largely unknown.
BMP - Minimize operations associated with roads, landings, and aggregate pits within 151-300 m of suitable summer habitat during the entire active season(see above).BMP - Within the entire AOC, minimize operations associated with roads, landings, and aggregate pits within 300 m of suitable summer habitat during the active season.Given the perceived risk to turtles of operations associated with roads, landings, and aggregate pits (see above) and the lower likelihood of encountering turtles in the outer 1 km of the AOC, it seems appropriate to apply this direction within the entire AOC as a best management practice only.
 BMP - When practical and feasible, routine road maintenance (especially ditch cleaning) operations should be scheduled during May and October.Anecdotal evidence suggests that turtles may overwinter in ditches. Thus, scheduling of routine road maintenance (especially ditch cleaning) operations during May and October was added as a best management practice for the entire AOC.

Literature cited

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Beaudry, F., P.G. deMaynadier, and M.L. Hunter, Jr. 2010. Identifying hot moments in road-mortality risk for freshwater turtles. J. Wildl. Manage. 74:152-159.

Congdon, J.D., A.E. Dunham, and R.C. van Loben Sels. 1993. Delayed sexual maturity and demographics of Blanding’s turtles (Emydoidea blandingii): implications for conservation and management of long-lived organisms. Cons. Biol. 7:826-833.

COSEWIC. 2005. COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the Blanding’s turtle Emydoidea blandingii in Canada. COSEWIC, Ottawa, ON.

Dubois, Y., G. Fortin, and S. Pelletier. 2012. Cartographie des habitats essentiels et identification des menaces au maintien des populations de tortues mouchetees dans le parc de la Gatineau et les aires prioritaires de conservation de l'espece en peripherie du Parc – Rapport final suite aux trois annees des travaux de terrain (2009-2011). Conservation de la nature Canada, pour la Commission de la capitale nationale.

Edge, C.B. 2008. Multiple scale habitat selection by Blanding’s turtles (Emydoidea blandingii). MSc thesis, Laurentian Univ., Sudbury, ON.

Edge, C.B., R.J. Brooks, and J.D. Litzgus. 2007. 2007 report on Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) research in Algonquin Provincial Park. Unpubl. Rpt., Laurentian Univ., Sudbury, ON.

Edge, C.B., B.D. Steinberg, R.J. Brooks, and J.D. Litzgus. 2009. Temperature and site selection by Blanding’s turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) during hibernation near the species' northern range limit. Can. J. Zool. 87:825-834.

Gibbs, J.P., and W.G. Shriver. 2002. Estimating the effects of road mortality on turtle populations. Cons. Biol. 16:1647-1652.

Millar, C.S. 2010. The spatial ecology of Blanding’s turtles (Emydoidea blandingii): from local movement patterns, home ranges and microhabitat selection to Ontario-wide habitat suitability modelling. MSc thesis, Univ. Ottawa, Ottawa, ON.

Millar, C.S., and G. Blouin-Demers. 2011. Spatial ecology and seasonal activity of Blanding’s turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) in Ontario, Canada. J. Herp.  45:370-378.

Refsnider, J.M., and M.H. Linck. 2012. Habitat use and movement patterns of Blanding’s turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) in Minnesota, USA: a landscape approach to species conservation. Herp. Cons. Biol. 7:185-195.

OMNR. 2010a. Forest management guide for conserving biodiversity at the stand and site scales. Queen’s Printer for Ontario, Toronto, ON /environment-and-energy/forest-management-guide-conserving-biodiversity-stand-and-site-scales-stand-and-site-guide

OMNR. 2010b. Forest management guide for conserving biodiversity at the stand and site scales: background and rationale for direction. Queen’s Printer for Ontario, Toronto, ON. /environment-and-energy/stand-and-site-guide-background-and-rationale-directionOMNR. No date. General habitat description for the Blanding’s turtle. Queen’s Printer for Ontario, Toronto, ON.

Paterson, J.E., B.D. Steinberg, and J.D. Litzgus. 2012. Revealing a cryptic life-history stage: differences in habitat selection and survivorship between hatchlings of two turtle species at risk (Glyptemys insculpta and Emydoidea blandingii). Wildl. Res. 39:408-418.

Steen, D.A., M.J. Aresco, S.G. Beilke, B.W. Compton, E.P. Condon, C.K. Dodd Jr, H. Forrester, J.W. Gibbons, J.L. Greene, G. Johnson, T.A. Langen, M.J. Oldham, D.N. Oxier, R.A. Saumure, F.W. Schueler, J.M. Sleeman, L.L. Smith, J.K. Tucker, and J.P. Gibbs. 2006. Relative vulnerability of female turtles to road mortality. Anim. Conserv. 9:269-273.