The proposed plan states “We…

The proposed plan states “We want your thoughts on the proposal to protect important water resources, such as moraines, cold water streams and wetlands, by growing the Greenbelt in the Greater Golden Horseshoe.”

It is also stated that this is to address the province’s approach to identifying moraines, coldwater streams and wetlands as important features for protecting water in the outer ring of the Greater Golden Horseshow.

HOWEVER, this document only addresses areas in the urban based sectors west and slightly north of the City of Toronto.  The sector just east of the urban centre of Toronto from Newcastle to Brighton and north to Peterborough is being rampantly developed in a piecemeal way without any protection. Even the Oak Ridges Moraine which occupies a large part of the area is now under serious threat by multiple plans to significantly alter its natural heritage.  With the building of Hwy 407 (through parts of the oak Ridges Moraine),and 418 the planned 400-series highway that will travel through the Regional Municipality of Durham to connect Highway 401 with the eastern extension of Highway 407, land has been bought up by speculators and developers with zoning applications and site plans before several councils.  Not wanting to take on the financial burden of an appeal before the OMB, (especially smaller municipalities) these applications for large developments are being adopted at an out of control rate.  There is no buffer zone for the eastern part of the Oak Ridges Moraine which contain many headwaters, significant recharge and infiltration zones multiple aquifers and wetlands  – all that are being challenged right now. Hazardous Zones are being re-zoned to commercial , industrial and residential zones in order to accommodate what locally is expected, and often advertised in the media, as a development gold rush.

By the time, the government even considers extending protection to this area, it will be too late. You can’t apply a set of environmental rules to only one part of the area surrounding the Oak Ridges Moraine and ignore the eastern section without reaping dire negative environmental impacts that not only will endanger all manner of ecosystems and the wildlife that depend on these systems, but also the health and safety of many residents.

[Original Comment ID: 212476]