Plan endangers landscapes, ecosystems

Editor:
The provincial government is proposing to make amendments to the Greater Golden Horseshoe’s growth plan. Not only would the new plan remove limits on development in many areas of the GGH (including Simcoe County), no doubt leading to further urban and suburban sprawl, it would also lessen restrictions on and encourage more pits and quarries within this area, including allowing such operations to take place within habitats of endangered and threatened species.
A quote from the proposal: “Mineral aggregate resources play an important role in the development of housing and municipal infrastructure. Ensuring adequate aggregate resources are available is critical to achieving the success of [the growth plan]. The proposed changes will make it easier to establish mineral aggregate operations closer to market and the product’s end users throughout the GGH. The proposed change to the Plan’s aggregates policies would be more permissive of new aggregate operations, wayside pits, and quarries within the Natural Heritage System for the Growth Plan.”
I am very concerned that this new plan will endanger our area’s existing natural and rural landscapes and ecosystems, as well as sources of drinking water.
Here’s the thing: the “Natural Heritage System” is not trivial. It “includes natural features such as woodlands, wetlands, watercourses and valleylands that provide society with ecosystem services that are life sustaining or improve quality of life. These include a clean and reliable supply of groundwater and surface water; flood moderation; erosion control; moderation of air quality; pollination services; genetic resources for food, medicine, fibre or other products; and recreation opportunities.” (From Credit Valley Conservation.) Furthermore, forests and wetlands are crucial for carbon sequestration, an essential piece of climate change mitigation.
Overall, the proposed amendments would further deregulate and skew the GGH’s growth plan to favour the interests of land developers and aggregate operations.
I do not believe that most residents of the GGH are even aware that this proposal has been made; few, if any, media outlets have reported on it. Clearview and Mulmur Township residents have historically felt the burden of aggregate proposals that threaten their wetlands, forests, groundwater, and agricultural lands. We need to make our voices heard.
The proposal is posted on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-1680), where it is possible for citizens to submit feedback, until July 31. The organization Environmental Defense has also made a petition page with more information about the proposal (act.environmentaldefence.ca). And, of course, there is always the option of contacting your MPP.
Sasha Kutuzyan,
Mulmur.