448 Book Road East Pond and Wetland
This application has been appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal
Materials submitted by the proponent in support of this application HERE
OLT case status HERE
Instructions to submit comments to the OLT via the Participant Status Request Form are below:
Find and fill out the form HERE
OLT Case file numbers: OLT-25-000996 and OLT-25-001004
Date of first CMC: March 13, 2026
Fill in your name and email
Representative: leave blank
Type your statement in the box on the form.
Save your completed participant request by using the ‘save’ button on the form page. It will save to the 'downloads' folder on your computer
Write an email to the Case Manager, Ms. Leeann Situ, asking to be granted Participant Status for this case and include the OLT case numbers in the subject line.
Attach your completed Participant Request Form to your email
Send your email and the attached Participant Request form to:
Leeann.Situ@ontario.ca
kat.sliwa@dentons.com
patrick.macdonald@hamilton.ca
You should then receive a reply from the Case Manager that includes the link to the Case Management Conference (below)
Tune into the online Case Management Conference (CMC) on Fri, March 13 at 10 a.m.
To observe the CMC:
GoTo Meeting: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/909787981
Access code: 909-787-981
Note, CMCs are administrative meetings allowing legal teams and the OLT to determine details and future dates. There may be more than one CMC before the actual Merit Hearing date. As a Participant at the CMC your camera and mic will be off and use of the chat is not permitted or you will be removed from the proceeding.
Anyone who experiences technical difficulties accessing the GoToMeeting Application or who only wishes to listen to the event can connect to the event by calling in to an audio-only telephone line: +1 (647) 497-9373 or (Toll Free): 1-888-299-1889. The access code is as indicated above.
View the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) as well as many other studies pertaining to this development HERE.
The Property is approximately 15 ha in size, and in its current state, contains predominantly agricultural fields with deciduous forests, wetlands, and a pond. It is within the headwaters catchment area of the Welland River West Subwatershed. Surface drainage flows southeast through wetlands and tributaries to form the Welland River downstream which continues to flow southeast to the Central Welland River Subwatershed.
During each of three surveys, a total of nine Midland Painted Turtles, listed as Special Concern under the federal Species at Risk Act (2021), were observed basking on the banks of the pond or on logs or rocks. The pond is designated as a Core Area in the AEGD Secondary Plan Natural Heritage System, and is likely a Significant Wildlife Habitat for over-wintering turtles. However, the EIS disputes this possibility as the pond is man-made, and proposes removal of the pond despite the presence of turtles.
150 of 206 trees are proposed for removal. Some are dead but still have value as they provide habitat and food sources for many species. Most of the trees are along the periphery of the property so could potentially be saved.
The stream on site will be confined to a 5m channel despite Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority’s comments that it be constructed with a meander.
There don’t appear to be any natural heritage linkages planned that would connect the remaining natural heritage on this property to surrounding habitat, essentially rendering it an island.