Re: E.R.O. Notice 019-6142 …

Re: E.R.O. Notice 019-6142 (Rondeau Lease Extension)

Dear Mr. Gryck,

The cottage we have in Rondeau Provincial Park is profoundly important to my family and represents the environment that catalyzed my passion and current career in the aquatic sciences. I grew up in southwestern Ontario, and my adventures at the family cottage in Rondeau through the summer were incredibly formative experiences. I have created so many of my fondest memories with friends and family visitors we have hosted at the cottage over the years. The cottage provided a setting of solace, where we grew closer as a family. I learned to fish in Rondeau, which spurred my interest in learning more about the natural world, and in particular, the plethora of life that exists in the aquatic environment. I have spent countless hours on Rondeau Bay and Lake Erie searching and fishing recreationally for bass, perch, and walleye. These experiences formed a deep-rooted passion for aquatic biology, a passion that ultimately led me to my current position as a PhD Candidate in Marine Biology. Without the family cottage, I would not have been afforded these experiences. The family cottage we have in Rondeau is inextricably linked to my personal values and who I am as a person. We need to work to preserve the natural environment, and the cottagers represent some of the most ardent stewards of Rondeau Provincial Park. A solution for the permanent occupancy of the cottage lots must be found, and a sale under Section 9(3) of the Provincial Parks & Conservation Reserves Act (2006) as directed by Minister Jeff Yurek is the best way forward.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.