I am very concerned about…

I am very concerned about the north shore of Rice Lake, which forms part of the Trent system, and has numerous watersheds draining into it. It is an area of outstanding natural and unspoiled beauty, with the diverse flora and fauna of the Oak Ridges moraine. The lake itself drains into Lake Ontario via the Trent River, whilst the Otonabee drains into it from the north.

It is under increasing pressure from the north-east expansion of the GTA (note how close the 407 highway extension now comes to it) and from the growing urban centre of Peterborough. Small communities such as Millbrook and, at east end of the lake, Hastings, are growing with new subdivisions of upwards of 90 houses. The 407 extension seems poised to expand yet further eastwards through the stunning scenery of the Ganaraska forest area.

In the only 6 years I've lived on the north shore of Rice Lake, I have seen many individual houses built on what was recently working farmland or mixed deciduous woods, scattered widely all through the area.

The current greenbelt comes very close to the west end of Rice Lake, and there are some areas on the south shore--I suggest it's time to start protecting the watersheds and unspoiled land of the north shore.