I strongly support the…

I strongly support the decision to provide habitat protections for the Black Ash. I agree that the large natural range of Black Ash makes it challenge to protect when most of its range is not affected by EAB. Protecting Black Ash in Northern Ontario doesn't make sense and provides a hinderance to industry which could affect the economic well being of those communities who's economies are based mostly in forestry.

The delineations between protected and not protected Black Ash based on the areas with the highest Emerald Ash Borer damage is a good compromise to allow the residual (lingering) black ash individuals in Southern Ontario to be surveyed, documented, seed stored, propagated and reintroduced in the future if the population of borers is reduced enough to make this possible. I believe that the recovery of the species will be difficult given the limited lingering ash population, its silvics and habitat requirements however it is important for biodiversity, flooding control and to first nation culture.

I would recommend a review to make changes to the protected areas as EAB moves to new areas in the Black Ash's range and the Black Ash forests decline.