I am completely opposed to…

I am completely opposed to the removal of these critical habitat areas from Wasaga Beach Provincial Park.

The removal of these lands from Wasaga Beach Provincial Park will have incredible negative effects on nesting Piping plover populations, which use the natural beaches during nesting season. Piping plovers are globally threatened due to destruction of rare nesting habitat such as this. In particular, Beach area 1 is critical habitat. Provincial Parks staff have been monitoring this population for years, and there is no commensurate experience in appropriate management within the township. Wasaga has the best remaining habitat and breeding population of piping plovers in the province--if this population's habitat is damaged, the species may vanish from Ontario entirely. There is no reason to transfer these lands to the township unless development or beach clearing is planned, which would wipe out this population.

In addition to their intrinsic value as a component of the local ecosystems, Piping plovers are a tourism draw for the area. I personally visit Wasaga Beach at least once a year to view the plovers, and over 550 birdwatchers have visited the site. If Piping Plovers no longer inhabit Wasaga's beaches, I know I certainly will no longer be providing tourism dollars to the town.