By Ivy Katz
urtles are a keystone species and act as eco-engineers by helping to create a healthy ecosystem.
The long ordeal with the closure of the Dillman Trail was discussed in council, with plans for its reopening, dependant on keeping the Blanding’s Turtle safe, and hopefully recouping some of the monies to be spent through grants and othher avenues.
Consulting firm Cambium Inc. prepared a species conservation plan and presented it to Highlands East council at the last regular meeting of council on Sept. 8, 2026.
“A lot of effort has been put into reinstating the Dillman Trail over the last handful of years,” said Camden Jermey of consulting firm Cambium Inc. Cambium was retained by Highlands East to prepare a special conservation plan to support the maintenance and repairs of the Dillman Trail, located just north-east of Gooderham, in Highlands East.
“Turtles are known to nest on trails close to wetlands,” said Jermey. Exclusion measures were a requirement by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Park’s (MECP), and will exclude turtles from entering the trail, protecting them, their nests, and hatchlings from being hit.
“An exclusion plan would also make trail maintenance easier and mitigate impacts from ongoing use,” he said. Turtles tend to nest on trails and seasonal maintenance can disturb their nests.
Dillman Trail Historical Context
The Dillman Trail is part of the original historic Burleigh colonization road, which has been a long-standing municipal transportation corridor in continuous public use for 140 years, according to the Cambium report.
Highlands East is seeking to complete improvements to the trail where it bisects a wetland, said the report. The proposed work focuses on maintenance, rehabilitation, and species mitigation enhancements within a disturbed footprint. The improvements proposed do not represent expansion of the corridor or construction of a new transportation infrastructure, stated the report.
“The Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Park’s (MECP) was continuously concerned with impacts to Blanding’s Turtle from ATV and recreational use on the trail,” said Jermey.
Change in legislation responsible for hold up
Cambium was previously retained to complete an assessment of potential impacts to Species at Risk (SAR) at the Dillman Trail following a Stop Work Order issued by the MECP issued on Sept. 15, 2023, due to a potential contravention of the Endangered Species Act (2007).
“We have tabled several strategies and ultimately, they continuously reiterated that permanent exclusion fencing and eco-passages were required on the trail, to support its reopening,” explained Jermey. That consultation happened in Oct and March of 2025.
Cambium submitted a permit application to the MECP in late August of last year for exclusion fencing, eco-fencing, and other mitigation approaches, which the MECP. They agreed and sent a complete permit application in September, explained Jermey. However, they never received a permit back from MECP and followed up several months later.
On March 30, 2026, they received a notification that the Endangered Species Act was repealed and replaced by the Species Conservation Act. The legislation change meant they had to “re-start all the consultation work,” when much consultation work had already been done. “Dealing with MECP has been a long, drawn out affair,” said Jermey.
“Essentially we were working under a former framework with the Endangered Species Act and now we are under the Species Conservation Act; the pathway of which is slightly different,” explained Jermey. “That’s what has precipitated this species conservation plan.”
Understanding the new rules
Under the new Species Conservation Act, there are “registerable activities,” which the Dillman Trail falls under. There are still “permit activities,” which still require MECP oversight and approval, explained Jermey.
The intent with the “registrable activities” is to streamline approvals, with a “registration first approach,” which can be audited at their discretion at a later time by MECP.
With the Dillman trail falling under the registrable category, certain work can be begun without permits, the activities must only be registered in a “living document” as the work commences. “This means that in theory, the work could begin quite quickly,” shared Jermey.
Conserving turtles with eco-passages
Jermey’s report presented a variety of eco-passages from throughout Canada, USA, Cuba, and Germany. Based on the wetlands water levels on the trail, he recommended a two-sided culvert, made of concrete with a grate over-top, which will allow light and facilitate wildlife passage.
“One of the requirements for these passages to be effective is that they need daylight to shine through or else wildlife won’t go through them,” said Jermey.
Timing important to wildlife
The timing period is an important layer when considering how to mitigate harmful effects on wildlife, explained Jermey.
One of the major mitigation measures for turtles, fish, and birds, is to utilize timing windows when conducting ecology and environmental work, and thereby aligning construction activities when animals are in their lower-sensitive period.
For this reason, Cambium outlined a two-phased approach: first to install the culverts, ie: eco-passages. The MECP requested that be done during the active turtle season, which is May through to end of October.
The second phase would be to install exclusion fencing, which could be done in November-December, said Jermey. Exclusion fencing is a type of low and buried fencing, made of safe and durable material, meant to deter wildlife, such as amphibians and small animals, from entering onto roadways, generally by leading them along the fence or to an eco-passageway.
“I wanted to highlight that because timing is limited at the moment,” said Jermey. “We don’t really want to lose another year due to delays.”
One of the requirements as per the Office of the Regional Auditor General (ORAG) is Monitoring. Cambium suggested a low-cost alternative to the monitoring element, that being leveraging municipal staff, some support from Cambium staff, and installing trail cameras.
These compliance are important as future audits from could take place to ensure the work is being done properly.
According to the website for the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario, ORAG examines financial statements and public accounts for the province; investigates specific government operations, assesses whether public-sector and government programs spend money efficiently and with due regard for the economy.
ORAG is an independent and non-partisan and reports directly to the Legislative Assembly to help taxpayers understand how public funds are managed.
The cost
Deputy Mayor Cecil Ryall was concerned about the cost of the project, despite the fact that he had no doubt that “this will solve the turtle problem.” He asked what the cost would be and if there was any other support or grants available.
Jermey indicated that preliminary costs are in the range of 80,000 to 120,000 dollars. He agrees the costs are “substantial,” and will be reaching out to contractors to get direct quotes.
“Seeking grants is a good strategy and we can look into options,” said Jermey.
Mayor Rob Burton wanted to know if they do move ahead with the costs, would there be any guarantee that the project would be pased by the MECP. Jermey shared that the new policies put a lot of “onus on the consultants and there is no guarantee that people will even review this file, given the history.” However, Jermey believes they have a strong case, based on the previous approval, should the MECP decide to audit them at a later time.
Councillor Angela Lewis asked what would be the time-frame if they spent the 100,000 dollars. Jermey replied that it could be ready by the new year. He added that once the exclusion fencing in place, maintenance of the trail will be a lot easier because turtles will not be on it.
Councillor Lewis asked whether or not the Highlands East department could do the work with the cement and the grate or exclusion fencing. Treasurer Brittany McCaw said she wasn’t sure if their department had the “expertise.”
“Typically we see external consultants but I think it would be reasonable to review what we are proposing with with the municipal departments,” responded Jermey. He believed that the culverts could possibly be done through the public works department. He recommended the fencing have specialized people. Jermey thought a hybrid approach might work.
Deputy Mayor Ryall remained concerned about the uncertainty of regaining any funds and the timing of the project, as well as making a decision too quickly. Jermey pointed out it has already been a very long process.
Councillor Lewis was interested in the hybrid approach. Stakeholders, including ATV users and turtle advocacy groups are aligned, according to Jermey. He remained optimistic about sourcing and recouping funds once stakeholders were reached.
Deputy Ryall remained concerned and said, “I cannot see my self supporting this whole thing, at least not today.” The long history of permit work and consulation on the particular file, Jermey expressed he felt this plan “essentially mirrors and alliance” with MECP.
In addition, he explained that based on the new legislation, there is no approval process, just a registration process, and the plan for that has already been made and presented to council.
Councillor Ruth Strong was in support of the initiative. “I think it is quite evident we should go ahead with it,” said Councillor Strong. “I don’t think there is that big a risk.”
Treasurer McCaw indicated that there are budgetery monies in this years budget because they knew this was coming. She suggested taking the phased approach and in the new year look at remaining monies and grants.
Counsillors Lewis and Strong voted in favour of the motion. Resolution was to approve the plan and direct Cambium Inc. to submit and register the plan with the MECP.
To view the meeting on Youtube or see Cambium’s detailed report, visit highlandseast.ca/municipal-services/mayor-and-council/agendas-and-minutes/ and seek out the Sept 8. 2026 Agenda Minutes.
