First snakes, now moths — Species at risk continue to delay big east Windsor project
The reversed haploa moth is a medium-sized moth composed of brown bands and white patches. It's been found in parts of southwestern Ontario, including Windsor-Essex, Lambton County, London and Norfolk County.
The species is currently categorized as "threatened," in the province's species at risk list and could become endangered, according to Ontario's environment ministry. That said, it still falls within the province's endangered species act.
It's been discovered in the area of the Banwell Road corridor and E.C. Row Expressway overpass project, near the NextStar electric vehicle battery factory on the city's east-side. All in, the work is expected to cost more than $100 million.
In June, CBC News first reported endangered Butler's gartersnakes were found in the same area grinding work to a halt. The all-clear would be given from the province once all of the snakes had been tracked and moved to a nearby similar habitat.
Lindsay Davidson, a spokesperson for the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, says the moth has also now been identified within the footprint of the projects.
And that they're working with the city to consider an amendment under the endangered species act.
"If approved, the amendment would include conditions and requirements that permit for impacts to reversed haploa moth and its habitat, and to enable additional survey days for the relocation of Butler's gartersnake," he said in a statement.
"In areas of the project site where reversed haploa moth and its habitat have not been identified, and where snake surveys have been completed during the appropriate timing, the city of Windsor may proceed with vegetation clearing (primarily within areas located on the west side of Banwell Road)," Davidson added.
The city did not reply to CBC News after a request for comment. Earlier this month, Gary Wheeler with the ministry told CBC News snakes were still being located in the area during surveys, and that there must be five consecutive survey days where none are found to help ensure they've all been relocated.
Stacey McGuire, Windsor's executive director of municipal engineering, said in mid-June the initial discovery of the snakes set the city back a "few months." At that time, she added the hope was for everything to be built and open around summer 2027.
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