I have read with great…

I have read with great interest Environmental Registry posting #-19-2927 – Proposed updates to the regulation of development for the protection of people and property from natural hazards in Ontario and have read the regulatory proposal consultation guide in detail.

I applaud the government’s action on addressing the housing supply situation in Ontario. For the most part, I agree with the government’s proposed updates in this posting. Conservation Authorities fulfill a most important function in our society and I do feel that their approval processes caused undo delays and increased costs in many areas where their approval was not necessary.

Upon further review of the posting, as well as other documents, I believe that there is one further area to be addressed. My understanding is that currently the basic structure is that approval is required for development within 30 meters to 120 meters of a wetland. Existing structures, etc can have some types of development within 15 to 30 meters of a wetland with approval. No development is allowed within 15 meters of a wetland. It appears to me that, under the new regulations, there will be no development allowed within 30 meters of a wetland and that the conservation authority approval will not be required in the 30 meter to 120 meter distance from a wetland. The approval process for 30 meters to 120 meters of a wetland appears to be eliminated, however, the 30 meter distance for prohibition does not appear to have been addressed.

If there is currently development allowed in current situations in the 15 to 30 meter distance of wetlands under certain circumstances, it would seem reasonable to me that the proposed 30 meter approval limit also be decreased, closer to the 15 meter limit currently in place. 15 meters is definitely an appropriate distance whereby conservation authority approval is no longer required.

In summary, I feel that the “other area” in which the prohibitions on development apply be revised to a more appropriate lower distance than the current proposed 30 meters of all wetlands. I would suggest that the prohibition on development be revised to be within 15 meters of a wetland.

Thank you for addressing my concerns, and that the current 30 meter limit on prohibition of development be visited with a view to reducing that distance.