I strongly disagree with the…

I strongly disagree with the addition to section 2.5.2.2 which reads:

"Outside of the Greenbelt Area, extraction may be considered in the natural
heritage features listed in section 2.1.5, 2.1.6 and 2.1.7, provided that the
long-term rehabilitation can demonstrate no negative impacts on the natural
features or their ecological functions."

Protection of natural heritage features is crucial to retaining the ecosystem services provided, especially at this time of added stress caused by climate change and biodiversity loss. Protection of natural heritage features should not be subservient to aggregate extraction. Since aggregate extraction at a site typically lasts for decades, and rehabilitation of significant natural heritage features is problematic at best, the provision that long-term rehabilitation demonstrate no negative impacts provides scant comfort.

Section 2.5.2.2 should be deleted.