Northern madtom (Noturus stigmosus) recovery strategy: appendix

Appendix 1. Record of cooperation and consultation

The proposed recovery strategy for Northern Madtom (initiated in 2007) was prepared by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) with input from representatives of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR), Essex Region Conservation Authority, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority and Trent University. Members of existing ecosystem-based recovery teams (Thames River and Essex-Erie region) were invited to participate in the development of this recovery strategy. Members included representatives from federal and provincial governments, academic institutions, conservation authorities and First Nations groups/agencies (including Six Nations EcoCentre, Oneida Nation of the Thames, Southern First Nations Secretariat, Chippewas of the Thames, Delaware Nation and Munsee-Delaware First Nation).

DFO has attempted to engage all potentially affected Aboriginal communities in southern Ontario during the development of this proposed recovery strategy. In 2007, information packages were sent to Chief and council of Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Caldwell First Nation, Chippewa of the Thames First Nation, Oneida Nation of the Thames, Moravian of the Thames First Nation, Munsee Delaware Nation and Walpole Island First Nation. Information packages were also sent to the Métis Nation of Ontario, Grand River Métis Council, Windsor/Essex Métis Council and Métis Captain of the Hunt Region 9. The following Aboriginal organizations also received information packages: Southern First Nation Secretariat, Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians, Chiefs of Ontario, Assembly of First Nations and the Union of Ontario Indians. Members of these communities may have travelled or harvested fishes from the waters where the Northern Madtom was historically found. Follow-up telephone calls were made to each community office to ensure that packages were received and to ask if they would like to schedule a meeting to learn more about species at risk in general and the proposed recovery strategy in particular. As a result of these letters and calls, no requests for meetings and no comments were received.

In March 2011, DFO conducted community consultation sessions with Walpole Island First Nation (in coordination with Environment Canada and Parks Canada Agency) on several recovery documents, including the present recovery strategy. Feedback and written comments were received for consideration.

Although many Aboriginal and Métis communities already received a letter from DFO (in November 2007) regarding a recovery strategy for the Northern Madtom, given the passage of time and the addition of critical habitat to the recovery strategy, a new letter will be sent to First Nations to invite their comments on the updated strategy. This letter will be sent in advance of the proposed recovery strategy being posted on the Species at Risk Act (SARA) Registry.

DFO has prepared a list of non-government organizations and municipalities which may be impacted by the proposed recovery strategy. Information packages have been prepared to inform these groups that the proposed recovery strategy is about to be approved and invites each group to comment on the strategy. A letter has been prepared to request further provincial comment on the proposed recovery strategy and has been sent to the OMNR. As well, an announcement has been prepared and will be placed in newspapers with circulation in the area where the Northern Madtom was historically found to inform landowners and the general public about the proposed recovery strategy and to request their comments. These packages will be sent and the announcements published at the time the proposed recovery strategy is posted on the SARA registry.

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