Has the root cause for the…

Has the root cause for the delay in performing the existing environmental assessments been identified? It is administrative in nature, for example not enough people to process applications? If so then rectifying that would be an easier solution (and create jobs) vs loosening existing regulations and protections.

Every plant and animal native to this region (which excludes human beings) plays a role in maintaining a healthy environment necessary to sustain life, and once a species becomes extinct then the ecosystem will be out of balance. There is no question that more homes are needed but building where infrastructure is already in place makes more sense than destroying natural spaces to create sprawling suburbs. If we destroy our environment then we will end up destroying ourselves. Humans need nature, but nature does not need humans.