| The Government of Ontario is poised, yet again, to undermine the role of Conservation Authorities (CAs) in protecting our watersheds (ERO No. 019-8320). Specifically, a proposed regulation under the Conservation Authorities Act would enable the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry to override a broad suite of CA permitting decisions that prohibit or impose strict conditions on development in wetlands, watercourses, river valleys and other areas under CA jurisdiction.
In effect, when the Minister chooses to intervene, permitting decisions would no longer be informed by the deep local knowledge, technical expertise and watershed-health mandate of CAs. Instead, they would be politically driven at the request of development proponents seeking to increase their profits through otherwise prohibited activities.
Permitting decisions should be left to the experts. Please join Ontario Nature in urging MNRF not to proceed with the proposed regulation.
The deadline for comment is quickly approaching on May 6, 2024.
Sincerely,
– The Ontario Nature Team |
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