As a Professional Agrologist…

As a Professional Agrologist employed by a major chartered bank, and a part time dairy farmer, I have several concerns with regards to the proposed expansion of the Greenbelt lands into South Simcoe. It was my observation in the implementation of the current greenbelt, that some properties were protected for the public benefit with no regard for the farmers utilizing that property. For instance, the O"Connor dairy farm located at Lakeridge Road and Rossland has housing development to the west, south and east, and a railway corridor to the north, and yet their property was greenbelted. This is a large scale commercial dairy moving large volumes of feed crops and manure in the midst of heavy traffic on the surrounding roadways. This situation looks to have been an example of expropriation without compensation because most of the surrounding lands are developed or in process. How is this fair? In designing an expansion of the greenbelt, we need to avoid islanding commercial scale farms like this one.

The policy statement says that a Greenbelt is not contemplated at this time, and yet maps and areas of concern are designated. In Innisfil, on Hwy 89 and Yonge Street, where we farm, we now are dealing with high levels of commuter traffic on a daily basis, that is interfering with our ability to move farm equipment safely. Most urban drivers have no regard for the lights on our implements; I have sat in the roadway in our loader tractor, lights and signals flashing to turn left off the highway into our farm lane, and had traffic pass me on both sides, even though I had the right of way and signals flashing. Housing development has preceded highway development in this area, and now local farmers are having to deal with the implications of poorly implemented planning and development decisions. If you're thinking that you are protecting agricultural land in this area, the ship has sailed. The agriculture community in this area is in decline because of increasing urbanization.

I note from the maps provided that much of the lands owned by the Walton Group in the Tottenham area are excluded from the proposed expansion. Much of these lands are high quality agricultural properties with excellent quality soils; I see no reason for them to be excluded from a Greenbelt expansion. Perception would be that these lands are excluded because of their ownership. I

In designing a Greenbelt expansion, I would suggest you protect:

watercourses, especially those that have constant flow, regardless of season;

source water protection zones as designated under the Source Protection Act;

high quality agricultural soils like the Honeywood Loams north of Shelburne, around Reddickville; and,

high quality muck soils like the Cookstown Marsh.

In addition, buffer zones need to be created around significant watercourses and landforms to give those areas further protection from salt and roadway run-off. These buffer zones would also enhance wildlife and songbird habitat in these areas.

I would make myself available to assist in the design of protected zones in this area. I have lived and worked in this area for most of my career as a Professional Agrologist, in my work for OMAFRA, and for my current employer. In addition, I have farmed in south Innisfil for 30 years.

[Original Comment ID: 213577]