Dear Ms. Madhu Malhotra, …

Dear Ms. Madhu Malhotra,

For your consideration,

On page 18 and 19 of the Canada-Ontario Draft Action Plan under "The Importance of Natural Heritage Features", wetlands are rightfully described as playing a major role in maintaining a healthy environment. Great effort has been made in some cases and will continue to made towards restoring wetlands in areas that have lost their function in the past. I believe this domestic action plan will be a key factor in recovering from wetland loss on our landscape.

With reference to the Drainage Act, my concern remains that there are pieces of legislation and agricultural practices in place that are still contributing towards wetland loss in Southern Ontario. This may very well outweigh the great efforts that are being made to restore wetlands and their function as it pertains to phosphorus uptake. So to answer question 7 in the posting, my answer is this: Perhaps preservation of existing features should be step number 1 of the action plan, and I ask what will governing agencies do to protect wetlands at risk of drainage as a result of a project done under the Drainage Act?

This is one of many examples I can tell you about: My property contains approximately 30 acres of provincially significant wetland and is adjacent to 100 + more acres of provincially significant wetland. Neighboring properties have existing private ditches that flow into the wetland, allowing it serve its functions and use excess phosphorus that comes from the run-off of nearby agricultural fields. My municipality has recently appointed an engineer to assess the area and create a report for a new municipal drain. To obtain a legal outlet, the new municipal drain will require channelization to some extent yet to be determined through the provincially significant wetland. Through this process it seems likely that at least part of that wetland will be drained, and phosphorus carried in that run-off water will bypass any natural features that were once in place to filter it out of the water.

There are other property owners out there like me, who may have also partnered with Ducks Unlimited, local stewardship groups and ALUS to enhance existing wetlands, and are left to watch the results of wetland destruction through the Drainage Act.

Thank you for the chance to comment.

[Original Comment ID: 208831]