​The decision to remove…

​The decision to remove barriers to allow a smoother approval process for development and land projects is valid as there is a need for more infrastructure to support our growing towns and communities. The decision to remove and bypass protection measures that are in place for a purpose to protect species at risk is outright ridiculous. For contractors to simply apply online and start digging is a guarantee to destroy habitat for any species that inhabits the area, and not just species at risk. Not allowing time for review and approval can also jeopardize and degrade more than we can see such as water quality and aquatic health, risk of erosion and sediment runoff, and natural spaces that community members may go to for recreation.

These protection measures and the approvals the contracts require allow for organizations to be held accountable for any wrong doings that their projects may bring and ensuring proper mitigation strategies are in place, allowing for a consensus of project and protection. Without these supports, there would only be destruction. Who would you want to invest in an organization or company who will take advantage of these changes to grow their bottom line?

I highly recommend that these changes be consulted with appropriate industries and professionals who can actually assist in finding some kind of common ground. Government members who do not have the ecological training or knowledge of how developmental projects can impact the environment should not be the final decision makers.