I am writing to comment on…

I am writing to comment on the Species at Risk 10 year review and wish to make clear my interest in maintaining a stringent system for environmental review and habitat protection for endangered species. Evaluation and authorization for activities near natural areas should be rigorous, it should be conducted thoroughly and it should take time. Natural areas that provide habitat for species at risk (in addition to the myriad of other species) are far too valuable to risk the potentially harmful consequences of fast-tracking development proposals without complete scientific review.

I do not support delaying protections or extending the timelines before a species is listed.

I am interested in further exploring what a landscape approach would look like. I believe it is important to have a natural heritage plan with goals for protecting critical habitat and for enhancing connectivity between natural areas.

I do not wish to see activity based requirements deferred or delayed or ignored through payments-in-lieu to a conservation fund.

Penalties for violations of the Act should be harsh enough to be significant deterrent.

The value of healthy eco-systems with species diversity should not be underestimated.