Good Afternoon, My comments…

Good Afternoon,

My comments focus on black ash. As a field biologist with over 30 years of experience in eastern Ontario I can say without question the feasibility of regulating black ash effectively under the current process is nil. First, the species is far too common to permit identification and assessing as is currently done for butternut. Second, the extent of hybrids is high and separating black ash from F. pennsylvanica will be impossible. Third, the emerald ash borer is the problem and can relatively quickly devastate a healthier example. Need to not try to regulate tree species impacted by disease - what's next - white ash, green ash, white elm.....

Many thanks for your time