Standard Best Management Practices for All Road Work Projects in Eastern Georgian Bay

Contact and consult Indigenous communities.

• Determine which species of conservation concern are present or possible in the work area.
• Consult local species records and descriptions of their habitat for an idea of which species and habitats might be at the worksite. Involve local community members to help identify and flag important plants. Work with a qualified person to conduct site-specific assessments if you are unsure or if there are species and habitats that are difficult to identify.

Apply early to get any permits and approvals needed. Speak with an expert, hire a consultant, or contact the applicable government department if you are unsure which permits or approvals you need.

• Avoid working within 30 metres of the high water mark of waterbodies. Maintain this area as a vegetated buffer. Vegetation buffers filter surface water run-off, helping prevent sediment from contaminating waterways.
• If work is necessary and permitted within 30 metres of a waterbody, maintain riparian vegetation to keep banks and shorelines stable and reduce erosion.
• Remove no more than 1/3 of the woody vegetation, prune or top vegetation instead, leave root masses undisturbed, and remove vegetation by hand.
• Avoid spreading invasive plants by planning to start work in areas without invasive species and end work in areas with invasive species, then clean equipment following the steps in the best management practice for Equipment Selection, Operation, and Management.
• Choose the least disruptive equipment for the activity. Hand tools are best. Heavy equipment can cause rutting and soil compaction. This alters habitat, makes it harder for native plants to regrow, and creates opportunities for invasive species to establish.
• If impacts are unavoidable, create new habitat or contribute to off-site conservation efforts. This is also called offsetting habitat loss.

• Train all staff on species at risk awareness and handling. Familiarize workers with conditions of permits and legal requirements related to species of conservation concern.
• Use existing trails or paths to access the worksite to minimize the area disturbed.
• Mark sensitive habitat areas and set appropriate buffers around the area.
• Identify, flag, and report invasive species.

• Monitor the site for new or unexpected species. Check for species at risk on the worksite and equipment daily. Be prepared to implement additional best management practices if needed.
• Walk through ahead of equipment to flush out species from the area. Reptiles and ground-nesting birds may be difficult to see while driving machinery. Operate all equipment at reduced speeds so species on the road or in the right-of-way can be detected. Reptiles like turtles and snakes are often found on roads but can be difficult to see on the road surface.
• Ensure the road work will not contribute to spreading invasive species. Follow appropriate invasive species management practices, including proper removal and disposal. This is especially important for phragmites. For example, if mature phragmites is mowed, it will spread pieces and seeds that new plants can grow from.
• Avoid contact with existing wildlife fences. Immediately inspect and repair any fences damaged by operating equipment. Reptiles will cross any fence that has an opening, like a crack, gap, or depressed area. Being trapped on the road increases their mortality risk. Damaged fences with jagged or sharp edges can injure wildlife.
• Know the species at risk, sensitive habitats, and invasive species at routine maintenance sites and adjust work as needed when there are unexpected changes.
• Stop work immediately if a species is in danger due to the work. Follow the steps for what to do when you encounter species at risk or a bird nest at the worksite outlined in the full road work best management practices.

• Clean equipment following the steps in the best management practice for Equipment Selection, Operation, and Management.
• When the road work is complete, ensure the work area is restored to its original state or better. Revegetating the site and restoring habitat allows plants and animals to move back to the area. Follow the Revegetation BMP.
• Remove sediment and erosion control and temporary wildlife exclusion fencing from the site.