Province seeks feedback on Sudbury strip mall project near Blanding's turtle habitat

Morning North5:01Turtle habitat could affect a proposed development in Sudbury

A commercial development is planned for the south end of Sudbury but part of it would encroach on a turtle habitat within a wetland. The MNRF is seeking public input. The CBC's Angela Gemmill spoke about the issue with Karen Passmore of the MNRF.

A Sudbury construction company is waiting to hear whether anearby turtle habitat will hold up its planto build a strip mall.

Dalron Construction wants to build the mall behind the Petro Pass truck stopon Highway 69 in the south end of Greater Sudbury, but a nearby wetland has been designateda habitat for Blanding's turtles which is listed as threatened by the province.

The most significant threats to the Blanding'sturtle are the loss or fragmentation of habitat, along with vehicles and predators, according to theMinistry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

The ministryhas posted a notice on its environmental registry and is looking for public feedbackuntil September 14.

The posting noted that "reasonable alternatives" are being considered to minimize the impact on the turtle population.

Those could include adjusting the project's boundaries, delineating the wetlands so work doesn't encroach on them, and taking steps to prevent the turtles from accessing the work site.

"[The ministry is] giving all stakeholders ...the opportunity to comment and provide their opinion whether they think that this is a good thing or provide their input on changes that need to be made,"said ministry spokesperson Karen Passmore.

Dalrontold CBC News that 0.4 hectares of the development would fall within the turtle habitat.

"We are away from the wetlands. Our elevation is quite a little bit higher. But we're respecting [the ministry's] rules and regulations about appropriate setbacks,"saidDalronspokespersonKristiArnold.

"We still have to go through the process of obtaining a permit to develop on that site," she added.

Arnold said the companyhopes to begin development next spring.