Butler’s garter snake snarling spit lands development – via Herp Digest

By Cathy Dobson, Sarnia Observer, Sunday, December 9, 2012 

It could be a hissss...torical agreement with far-reaching implications for waterfront development in Point Edward.

City councillors will be asked Monday to allow Sarnia’s Canatara Park to play host to a number of endangered snakes currently populating the village’s “spit lands.”

The presence of the endangered Butler’s garter snake on the undeveloped peninsula that juts into the St. Clair River south of Purdy’s Fisheries is an impediment to future growth.

Cantaqleigh Investments owns the spit lands and announced a housing/retail/hotel complex development seven years ago.

But plans for the 40-acre site stalled when the rare Butler’s garter snake was discovered there. They are found in fewer than 50 Ontario sites and their habitat is protected under the Endangered Species Act of 2007. Butler’s are relatively small, growing up to 20 inches long, and feed on worms.

Cantaqleigh hired consulting firm Aecom and worked with the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) to find a solution.

The MNR is now recommending the spit land snakes be relocated to Canatara Park where a population of Butler’s already exists.

City staff have written a report saying they like the idea and that all costs associated with moving and keeping the snakes at Canatara will be borne by Cantaqleigh.

The report says the MNR believes relocation to Canatara is a viable option that will protect the species in the longterm.

A large portion of Canatara Park south of Cathcart Boulevard is suitable habitat for the snakes. The proposal also calls for conversion of 1.4 hectares of the park into a meadow habitat.

If approves by council, Cantaqleigh would pay for enhancements to the park that include: control of invasive plant species, creation of a low meadow habitat, construction of a two-metre hole filled with logs and old wood for snake hibernation, and brush piles.

Mayor Mike Bradley said he’s in favour of the snake relocation.

“Council should co-operate and allow the development in Point Edward to proceed,” he said. “It’s a reasonable request.”

As recently as June, Cantaqleigh director Gerry Lee said his company is still committed to the spit lands project “with some minor adjustments.”