Document Revision Information Sheet – Fisheries Protocol #1

Document Name / MTO/DFO/OMNR Fisheries Protocol for Protecting Fish and Fish Habitat on Provincial Transportation Undertakings, Version 2, 2013
Revision Type / Revision of 2006 Version
Revision Date / May 2013
Revision Details / -See table below for detailed summary
-Changes also made to various notification forms and templates
-Fisheries Specialist RAQS Qualification tables updated
-MTO Environmental Guide for Fish and Fish Habitat currently under revision to reflect changes to Fisheries Protocol
Section / Summary of Major and Minor Changes by Section
Protocol Proper /
  • No change.

General /
  • No HADD/HADD terminology changed to Low Risk and Moderate/High Risk throughout.
  • Other general, editorial clean up of unclear or superfluous language and typos.

Annex 1 /
  • Formal review of Protocol to take place every 5 years.

Annex 2 /
  • Referral Process Flowchart revised and table of roles and responsibilities updated to reflect process changes.
  • Process streamlined so routine, low/no risk activities are excluded.
  • Two more steps added to smooth out the flow of the process.
  • Step 1 to 4 - Preliminary Fisheries Assessment eliminated for low risk activities and replaced with MTO Fisheries Protocol Excluded Activities List and application of existing DFO Operational Statements and MTO BMPs.
  • Step 5 to 7 - Comprehensive Fisheries Assessment changed to Fisheries Assessment. Same process as before using DFO Risk Management Framework and POEs.
  • Step 8 - Projects that come out of this process as low risk will need to have a Project Notification Form 1 – Low Risk submitted to DFO but DFO will no longer be signing off.
  • Step 9 – Projects that come out of this process as moderate/high risk will need to have a Project Notification Form 2 – Moderate/High Risk submitted to DFO. DFO will continue to sign-off.
  • Step 10 - When DFO supports moderate/high risk assessments and an authorization is required, DFO and MTO negotiate Compensation Strategy (draft compensation strategy gone from flowchart as is consultation with MNR by DFO).
  • Step 11 – Now project implementation.
  • CEAA language removed from the end of the Annex.

Annex 3 /
  • Sample Operational Statement Notification Form added.
  • No HADD and HADD forms updated with Low Risk and Moderate/High Risk language.

Annex 4 /
  • Minor editorial changes.

Annex 5 /
  • RAQS qualifications for fisheries specialists and audit requirements amended:
  • Fisheries Assessment Specialist qualifications modified to relieve barrier created by language around experience with HADDs. Language on case study option added.
  • Requirement for Fisheries Contracts Specialists to have completed training in erosion and sediment control monitoring added. Consultants will be given time to obtain this training.
  • Annual Self-Screening Audit omitted except in 5 year review years, as necessary.
  • Annual Post-Construction Audit changed to Project Construction Audit.

Annex 6 /
  • Changes to reflect new 5 year review cycle and Project Construction Audit changes.

Annex 7 /
  • Minor editorial changes and updates to language around DFO policy.

Annex 8 /
  • MNR contact info updated.

Annex 9 /
  • Removed No HADD/HADD language from Glossary.