The Municipality is moving forward with a campaign to protect and mitigate species at risk casualties across Chatham-Kent.
South Kent Councillor Anthony Ceccacci entered a successful motion on Monday, April 26, 2021, which was approved in the consent agenda portion of the virtual meeting.
“Chatham-Kent is home to 106 Species At Risk (and) many of those Species At Risk live and nest in significant wet land areas near roadways,” Ceccacci said in his motion, adding the areas are spread throughout many wards in Chatham-Kent.
Ceccacci said the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority has identified nearly a dozen Species At Risk areas that involve significant road crossings and a significant number of Species At Risk are crossing roadways due to the presence of habitat on both sides of the roadway.
“Busy roads and highways in Ontario and Chatham-Kent pose a significant threat to reptile and amphibian species each year,” Ceccacci said.
“Countless turtles and snakes are run over by cars and killed each year on Chatham-Kent roads including many nesting females. Chatham-Kent is home to seven species at risk turtles and five snake species.”
In partnership with the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, Ceccacci’s motion directs Chatham-Kent staff to develop a yearly media campaign starting this year.
“To increase public messaging and promote awareness, education and opportunities to protect and mitigate wildlife casualties in Species At Risk areas of concern,” Ceccacci said in his motion, adding that, in partnership with the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, staff will return to Council with a report detailing the location of local signage designed to protect Species At Risk in accordance with the Ontario Traffic Manual.
“In the desired funding partnership, the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority will be responsible for mounting hardware, while the municipality will provide posts and installation,” Ceccacci added.
