Best Management Practices for Road Work with Reduced Impacts on Species of Conservation Concern

These Best Management Practices (BMPs) are guidance for doing road work in a way that reduces impacts on species of conservation concern in eastern Georgian Bay.

Road work means any road construction or maintenance project within the road right-of-way. This includes the road surface, water crossings, shoulders, medians, and ditches.

Species of conservation concern are invasive species, species at risk, migratory birds, and fish.

Information in this online best management practices tool is from the Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere Best Management Practices for Road Work with Reduced Impacts on Species of Conservation Concern.

See the full document for:

• resources to help identify species and habitats at the worksite,
• timing windows for when to work to avoid harm to species of conservation concern,
• benefits of following the eastern Georgian Bay road work best management practices,
• what to do when you encounter species at risk or a bird nest at the worksite,
• a step-by-step guide to plan and do road work projects that meet best management practices,
• case studies from around the region,
• where to find the original sources of information used to create these best management practices.

Acknowledgements

Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere gratefully acknowledges we are located on Anishinaabek territory. Our office is currently located where the Ziigwan (spring) or Gizhiijwan (fast-flowing river) meets Mnidoo-gamii, Great Lake of the Spirit.

We respect and recognize the inherent rights and governance of the Anishinaabek pre-confederation and acknowledge the rights recognized in the Robinson-Huron Treaty of 1850 and the Williams Treaty of 1923.

We appreciate communities in the region for sharing your knowledge and time with us. Miigwetch Magnetawan First Nation, Shawanaga First Nation, Wasauksing First Nation, and Moose Deer Point First Nation.

We appreciate the input received from municipalities on road management practices. Thank you, Township of The Archipelago, Township of Carling, Township of Georgian Bay, Municipality of McDougall, Town of Parry Sound, and Township of Seguin.

These Best Management Practices for Road Work with Reduced Impact on Species of Conservation Concern are a product of the work of the Maamwi Anjiakiziwin initiative. The First Nations and municipalities listed above are partners in Maamwi Anjiakiziwin. We are thankful for funding from Environment and Climate Change Canada through the Community Nominated Priority Places for Species at Risk program that supported this partnership. Maamwi Anjiakiziwin seeks to strengthen collaborative relationships, leading to better decisions and strategies for how we, as humans, use and benefit from eastern Georgian Bay while ensuring conservation and stewardship of these lands and waters for species at risk.

We are grateful, Mother Earth. Miigwetchwendam Shkakmigkwe.