To Whom it may concern:…

To Whom it may concern: There is a lot for a citizen to absorb in this document. Large parts of this document appear to revolve around long term goals concerning the crown forests of the province . I feel that the current state of the family forests of southern Ontario is not getting the attention that is required. All too often the legislated management tools that exist don't address sustainable management requirements. Many southern tier municipalities allow poor forestry practices (diameter limit cutting) and in the case of the extreme southwest no forest bylaws at all. The disregard for sustainable forest practices in the Southwest has led to habitat fragmentation, and degradation,water quality issues and the extirpation and extinction of many species that once occupied the area. If the sustainable forest potential in this province is to be realized wholesale changes must be implemented in Southern Ontario. Numerous scientific studies point to a healthy environment having 30% forest cover. A movement towards this number with diverse forestry plantings would do much to correct the mistakes made during the last century. All members of the agricultural community should be required as stewards of the land to have a minimum amount of sustainably managed forest cover in order to access government programs such as crop insurance and drainage.