Marmora and Lake must transfer land to protect endangered butterfly habitat

What happened

• The Municipality of Marmora and Lake was convicted under the Endangered Species Act for damaging habitat for the endangered Mottled Duskywing.
• The damage occurred during road maintenance along the shoulder of River Heights Road in the Riverside Pines subdivision (beginning on or about June 5, 2021 and ending on or about June 7, 2021).

By the numbers and orders

• Conviction date: January 26, 2026.
• Fine: $1, with 15 days to pay.
• Court order (under s. 41(1) of the ESA): the municipality must grant a conservation easement or transfer title of certain municipal lands near the offence to an approved conservation agency by January 1, 2030.

Why it matters

• Plants damaged or destroyed (New Jersey Tea and Prairie Redroot) are habitat for the endangered Mottled Duskywing.
• The land transfer or easement is required to be used for the protection and recovery of that species.

Investigation

• The ministry's Environmental Investigations and Enforcement Branch investigated and laid the charges that led to the conviction.