As a resident of Hamilton,…

As a resident of Hamilton, one who supports the use of conservation land as publicly-owned natural places rather than developed, privately-owned spaces, I ask that the conservation authorities not be merged, nor the current boundaries changed.

I am not in favour of making developing our conservation spaces easier. There are too many spaces requiring redevelopment in our towns and cities already to sacrifice our natural spaces.

In addition, this very briefly and simply described plan says nothing about who will govern these new authorities, how those people will be chosen, or how permits, plans, grants, budgets, staff, and monies will be distributed once authorities are merged. Nor is there any mention of the impact to land, town, staff, and those already in process of gaining permits.

And given the recent activities of the current administration regarding public spaces and public education, I do not trust that these proposed new authorities will be used to better how we conserve our public lands.

I therefore strongly oppose the redrawing of boundaries and merging of our conservation authorities.