LSRCA’s revised draft Guidelines eliminate Maple Lake Estates loophole

From Jack Gibbons North Gwillimbury Forest Alliance

Last month the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) quietly issued revised draftWatershed Development Guidelines that do NOT permit the building of subdivisions on provincially significant wetlands (PSWs). If these draft Guidelines are approved by the LSRCA board, Metrus Developments will not be able to proceed with a mobile home park development on the Paradise Beach-Island Grove PSW in the North Gwillimbury Forest.

This is potentially a big breakthrough for protection of the forest and its wetlands. There will be a special LSRCA board meeting in March – date not yet announced – to hear public submissions on the draft Guidelines. The board will then vote on the new Guidelines at its April 24, 2015 meeting. We need the board to hear loudly and clearly that the public supports this new direction, so stay tuned for further information.

Currently, the LSRCA is the only conservation authority in Central Ontario that permits subdivisions in PSWs.

To learn more, download our new fact sheet (endorsed by 10 groups, including AWARE Simcoe): The LSRCA’s Subdivisions-in-Wetlands Policy.

Link to LSRCA information on its policy review

Link to revised draft Guidelines