I do not agree with the…

I do not agree with the proposed changes to the OWES.

• Disagree with the removal of wetland complexes from the evaluation system - wetland complexes support species movement across the landscape. Natural habitat in Ontario is fragmented everywhere. Natural linkages are necessary to support Ontario's natural heritage. We need more connection, not less.

• Disagree with the removal of points awarded for Endangered (END) and Threatened (THR) reproductive habitat - the presence of a species at risk should result in greater habitat protection, not less. The fact that threatened and endangered SAR have legal individual and habitat protection is further support to leave the point system to SAR in the OWES.

• Disagree with the removal of points awarded for END and THR migration, feeding or hibernation habitat. Migratory stopover habitat for SAR is very important to support all life stages of the species.

• Disagree with the removal of "Locally Important Wetlands" section from evaluation criteria. Some areas of Ontario have so few wetlands it should be embarrassing to this province and the government. Locally important wetlands should receive protection under the OWES to maintain the few wetlands remaining.

• Disagree with the outright removal of Conservation Authority input on general areas within 120m of Provincially Significant Wetlands (PSW) and 30m of all other wetlands. Standardized buffers to wetlands should be consistent across the province. CA's provided this standardization.

The aforementioned changes make it harder to obtain or maintain PSW status. With these changes, previously evaluated wetlands can be re-evaluated making it possible to “demote” wetlands based on new criteria- especially wetland complexes. This is overruling decades of conservation efforts for significant and sensitive natural features that provide habitat for species at risk as well as cultural and environmental enrichment to our society.

Do not destroy Ontario's natural heritage policies and features to build houses.

Thank you
Mitch