[All] Jeffersons At Risk in Oak Ridges Moraine too

[Louisette Lanteigne]

HI folks



System wide policy failures are being observed throughout Ontario in regards to Threatened Jefferson Salamanders at risk.



We have the Mount Nemo Quarry putting them at risk with an OMB process 
underway. The MNR DECLINED to get involved with that hearing.



Locally we have Hidden Valley at risk by way of the proposed River Road Extension and staff want to secure Kill permits for this site. 



We also have a kill permit request listed in the Environmental Bill of 
Right's Registry submitted by a housing firm building in Doon South.



Now the latest info re: Jeff's at risk comes from the Oakridges Moraine. Details below.



Lulu

--- On Mon, 5/23/11, Carrie Hoffelner <carrie.hoffelner at sympatico.ca> wrote:

From: Carrie Hoffelner <carrie.hoffelner at sympatico.ca>
Subject: CASA/Gormley West - 400 homes to start +then 1800 more (bounded by Bayview, Bethesda, Leslie and Stouffville Road) Town Council Meeting May 24, 2011
To: carrie.hoffelner at sympatico.ca
Date: Monday, May 23, 2011, 9:50 PM

My apologies if you are receiving this email more than once and the short
notice.  Please let your neighbours know.

 

Your Voice Is Needed

 

Oak Ridges, Ward 1 is the site of the most environmentally sensitive,
biodiverse and highly protected areas of the Oak Ridges Moraine.

 

As a result of the efforts of residents, community members and environmental
groups, the Province passed the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act and Plan
(ORMCA) in 2001.  This would not have happened without people like you who
are concerned about their community.  That is why I am writing to you.  Your
voice is needed now.

 

The Proposed Developments

 

The proposed developments abut natural core and natural linkage areas of the
Moraine - the highest level of protection conferred by ORMCA.

 

To carry out these developments, the developer needs water and sewer lines
to traverse the natural core and natural linkage areas.  Storm water
overflow will be diverted to Lake Wilcox and also drain into Catfish Pond.

 

The development will destroy 6 hectares of the habitat of the Jefferson
Salamander, a threatened species.  

 

There are other issues as well.

 

The Prior OMB Hearing

 

At a prior OMB hearing in respect of these very lands, the OMB ruled that
planning must occur for the entire concession block and that an
environmental assessment needed to be carried out for consideration of all
servicing alternatives.  This ruling was supported by both the developer and
the Town.

 

Now, the developer is seeking approval for only the western part of the
lands at Bayview and Bethesda, without regard to ORMCA or the prior OMB
ruling and without an environmental assessment or meeting the tests required
by the ORMCA.  Predictably, the Town appears to be inclined to acquiesce to
the developer's approach.  

 

By splitting the developments and proceeding in this fashion, the developer
and the Town will be disregarding both ORMCA and the prior OMB ruling.

 

Tell Town Council

 

*         they should be a champion of ORMCA, as opposed to participating to
undermine it

*         to comply with the OMB ruling they themselves sought

*         to carry out the required environmental assessment

 

at the council tomorrow night (Tuesday, May 24th at 7:30 p.m.).  To put your
name on the delegations list, you will need to send an email to
clerks at richmondhill.ca by noon tomorrow.  Alternatively, you can express
your views by sending a letter or an email to Town Council.

 

May 24th Council Meeting

 

Council Chambers

Town of Richmond Hill

225 East Beaver Creek, at Leslie Street

 

Thanks,

Carrie 

905-773-7700

416-454-8810 cell

This message is privileged and confidential and intended only for the
recipient.  Do not forward this email without my written permission.  If you
have received this email in error, delete it from your computer and do not
print it out.

 

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