To whom it may concern, You…

To whom it may concern,
You claim that the changes to Ontario Regulation 161/17 to the Public Lands Act will not affect recreational boat owners abilities to navigate or anchor...
According to the way this is written, I understand will no longer be able to anchor on much of the Ottawa River.
As you know, the Ottawa River is well populated with homes and cottages. It also very narrow.
The section that I sail (Chats Falls to Britannia) is actually exempt from needing flares because it is so narrow, and land-locked (we cannot be more than 1KM from shore at any one place). Putting a 300M away from shore boundary where there are houses or cottages will put all recreational boats that legitimately use and enjoy their boats for weekends, and in some cases weeks in the middle of the river (channel) when they anchor.
The safest place to anchor is in shallower water, protected from the wind and waves by land, and out of the channel. This change will not allow us to do this and will risk the safety of our families, friends and other boaters.
I do hope you do the right thing and change these to not include recreational boats.
For those that claim boaters don't way taxes... We paid tax when we bought and registered, we pay tax on fuel, sails, our insurance, mooring fees, crane rentals etc... Let us enjoy our boats as they are intended.
Thanks,
A very concerned boat owner