Re ERO # 019-0907 Senior…

Re ERO # 019-0907
Senior Project Coordinator
Ontario Parks - Issues Management, Coordination and Planning Section

Regarding the proposed 3 year extension to the 285 private leases in Rondeau Provincial Park, it is time for this government to stop waffling and take firm action! This has been going on for more than 50 years. Rondeau is a precious gem of Carolinian diversity and unique land forms, private holdings have no place in the park! We are in an era of unprecedented species loss--and unacceptable weakening of legislative protection!--this site must be protected from private encroachment!

I am asking you to:

--not extend the current leases in Rondeau (this has been a Government Policy since 1960--time for decisive action!)
--prioritize ecological integrity through a revised Park Management Plan.
--remove existing buildings, unnatural nutrient-rich soils and exotic plantings and restore the sites to natural conditions of the park.

Rondeau is Ontario's irreplaceable Carolinian biodiversity gem! If the Ontario government needs guidance for phasing out cottages and restoring natural parks, Parks Canada has a good example at Point Pelee National Park where cottages were phased out and sites restored more than 40 years ago. Ontario Parks also has many knowledgeable staff, talk with them! Read the many reports that have been produced documenting the damage that the cottages have done to the park.

Thank you,