1. If the land is purchased,…

1. If the land is purchased, where are the funds coming from to purchase all of this land and what is the true cost? It has reported that these lands are worth $80 million.
1(b) As a taxpayer in Wasaga Beach or long-term resident in the area express concern about future taxes. Why take lands that are currently managed and funded by the province and make local residents responsible through our taxes?
2. Public land should remain PUBLIC. This land was purchased by the Province of Ontario in the 1950’s and should remain for the use of all people – not just the elite! At less than 11% of it’s land the province is well shy of it’s 30% target of protected areas so why give up such prime public land?
3. As an avid Provincial Park user, I object to any lands being removed from existing Provincial Parks. These parks and natural spaces are important for people’s physical and mental well being.
4. The Town’s Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of the Waterfront Master Plan was posted on June 26 before these lands have even received approval for transfer or sale. Does this mean it is a done deal? The RFP does not focus on the environment or ecotourism.
5. Critical Habitat for Piping Plovers may be in jeopardy. The Park/Province has invested considerable resources over the years to maintain the ecological integrity of these areas (marram grass planting, invasive plants removal, signage and fenced off dunes). Wasaga is the most successful breeding and nesting habitat in Ontario, having fledged 87 plover chicks since 2008.
6. After heavy raking and dune removal by the municipality of Sauble Beach (Saugeen Beach) in 2017 – one of the most successful piping plover nesting locations in Ontario prior to this, is now no longer suitable plover habitat. Following this destruction there were 2 years of unsuccessful nests and there have been no nest attempts at all in the past 4 years. This raking removed much of the wrackline, vegetation and foredunes, diminishing the invertebrate food source and removing shelter for the birds. The Sauble Beach municipality was successfully charged with a fine of $100,000 under the Provincial Offences Act for damaging Plover habitat.
7. The recent passing of Bill 5 which repeals the Endangered Species Act will eliminate provincial habitat protection for the Piping Plovers. Who will hold the Town accountable to provide habitat protection?
8 Plover guardians have found that the majority of people embrace the idea of giving up a very small section of the beachfront (less than ½ km of a 14 km stretch) for Piping Plovers. Visitors including photographers, naturalists and interested families come year after year to Wasaga to see the plovers. . Eco tourism is an area that should be embraced but presently is not part of Destination Wasaga tourism strategy.
9. The fragile spit or Point portion of BA1 has been managed by WBPP as a Protected Area since the mid 1990’s due to its significant vegetation and habitat for breeding shorebirds – terns, sandpipers, plovers etc. This is a rare ecosystem that is considered globally imperilled. Will the Town recognize this and continue to manage it as a protected area?
10 The mandate of Ontario Parks is to provide ecological integrity in addition to recreational and educational opportunities for the public. It is of great concern that the Town’s proposal seems to be solely focused on tourism and economic development. Statements to that effect have been frequently made by Town officials at council and other public meetings.

The proposed amendments to the PPCRA should be rejected to maintain full protection for plover and other migratory species habitat and to maintain the ecological integrity of the longest fresh water beach in the world.