I am very disappointed that…

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019-6590

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83709

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I am very disappointed that the Ministry has removed most of the conditions. If the concern was the environment, the 21 day limit on waterways must be reduced even if it is to 14 days. I have seen the damage to a small island (we are talking less than 30 or 40 feet at the widest point) with it being used as the dog's private backyard as well as the owner's outhouse and tree roots being exposed over rocky outcroppings. Even the provincial parks in the busy areas are restricting camping to a lesser time period so why not in this instance? I also feel that there could have been a compromise on the distance units had to move after the prescribed time. It seems that there was just some rollover on many of the waterway issues raised through this commenting period and updated notice. The Ministry should always be promoting the protection of the environment and its flora and fauna.

Please ensure that if the goal is to restrict floating accommodations, that your definitions are worded such that there are no loopholes. The floating accommodation on our lake in addition to floatation devices, also uses spurs or hydraulic spuds that keeps it stabilized; quite different from the small power poles that bass boats use. It would definitely help if the Ministry and in fact, the Minister could urge Transport Canada to come up with a classification for these types of units so they could be regulated safely right from the get go.

And finally, enforcement. If the MNRF doesn't have the capacity or will to enforce this regulation around floating accommodations, please consider giving that power to any local municipality that asks for it. Governments at the local level are more times than not, able to respond far quicker to concerns that arise.