• Protecting Water and Farmland in Simcoe County

Group wants Nottawasaga River protected

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In Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority
Nov 25th, 2013
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By Brad Pritchard Alliston Herald November 25 2013

ESSA – Essa Township is getting behind a citizen group’s push to have the Nottawasaga River protected under recently revised federal legislation. AWARE Simcoe vice chair Kate Harries gained council’s support for the group’s goal of having the river included under the Navigation Protection Act, which deals with infrastructure developments that impact navigation on waterways.

She told council the overhauled act replaces longstanding legislation that dates back to 1882, which gave Canadians “the right to travel on 40,000 lakes and 2.5 million rivers” throughout the country. She said Canadians lost this right under the new legislation, which currently covers 97 lakes and 63 rivers.

Harries said it’s important to have the river protected under the act for environmental concerns, but also for economic and tourism reasons, such as the annual Salmon Derby in Angus.

“We hold that dear, we know the river is a gem and we don’t want anything to happen to it,” said Deputy Mayor Sandie Macdonald. The group will be seeking the support of local residents and municipalities before sending a petition to Ottawa.

To sign the petition, go to Change.org

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