I do not support the…

I do not support the extension of cottage leases in Rondeau Provincial Park. The leases should be terminated to permit people to move on to new cottage developments outside the park (new development activity for the Province), and allow the park to fulfill its mandated function as an ecological protection area for the potential enjoyment of all Ontarians and visitors (implementation of Provincial Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry mandate).

The Chatham-Kent area where the Park is situated needs to be re-balanced in its overall human development-environment protected features equation. Currently, less than 10% of the land area is comprised of natural features (see community's Official Plan natural heritage policy section). According to Environment Canada's "How much Habitat is Enough" 2013 publication, a minimum threshold of 30% of protected natural areas is necessary to maintain a healthy and resilient land base. Furthermore, in a 2013 publication by the University of Guelph (School of Environmental Design and Rural Development author's Wayne Caldwell and Kelsey Lang) entitled "Chatham-Kent Trees, Forests and Woodlots A Literature Review" reported that forest cover was less than 4% in the overall area. Every effort should be made now to help increase natural cover in the Chatham-Kent area, and this would include removing private development within Rondeau Provincial Park.