Environment question not answered

Dear Editor,

At the All-Candidates Meeting at Sandycove Acres on October 22, 2006, held for Candidates for Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Ward 5 Councillor (North East Innisfil), I asked a question related to the protection of our environment, which I do not feel was adequately answered.

Residents of Ward 5, and indeed all of Innisfil, feel our environment needs to be protected. My specific question related to the property proposed for the Big Bay Point Resort project.

This property was the subject of an environmental impact study (EIS), which the developer performed. The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) conducted a review of this impact study and provided their response in a letter to Mr. Ian Bender, Director of Planning for the County of Simcoe. The author of the letter, Mr. K. C. Kennedy, Manager of Planning for the LSRCA stated the following in regard to the wetlands, "The report identifies several unevaluated wetlands on the subject property and recognizes that approximately half of these may be lost and/or altered but does not address impacts that may result from this proposal. Provincial Policy suggests that development and site alteration may only be permitted in significant wetlands if it has been demonstrated that there will be no negative impacts on the natural features and ecological functions for which the area is identified. A wetland evaluation using the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources' Wetland Evaluation System should be undertaken to determine the significance of the wetland in order to address the impacts on this feature."

In his letter Mr. Kennedy also expressed concerns about the Woodlands and Wildlife Habitat on this property, however the time allotted for my question did not permit me to discuss these other two areas.

My question was directed to Mr. Roy Bridge, current Councillor of Ward 5 and

Chair of the LSRCA and was as follows, "Would Mr. Bridge (as a member of Town Council) agree to withhold any further approval of the BBP project until a full environmental study has been done by the Province of Ontario?"

Mr. Bridge indicated he was unaware of this letter from the LSRCA, dated May 30th, 2003.

In September of 2006, I spoke with Ms. Kathie Woeller who is the District Planner for the Ministry of Natural Resources in Midhurst (the office responsible for our area). She confirmed that a full study of the BBP area had yet to be done by her Ministry.

In his answer, Mr. Bridge indicated that he would not support a study but was rather vague as to his reasons. He suggested a lack of funds on the part of the LSRCA as a factor.

In a brief discussion with me following the meeting, Mr. Bridge suggested, "I should stop beating a dead horse." If he is equating this with the need to protect our environment, I strongly disagree. He also stated that if I "wanted the study, I should pay for it" as the LSRCA lack the funds.

I find this strange considering they recently funded studies, which were provided to the Ministry of Natural Resources, to determined provincial significance on other wetland features in Innisfil to be protected in our Official Plan.

I feel I have not received an adequate answer to my question. I would have expected more from the Chair of the LSRCA.

Don Avery Innisfil