[All] Fw: Greenbelt and Forestry: Stop the poisoning our water and forests.

[water.lulu at yahoo.ca]

Hi folks
My two cents on the Greenbelt Act. 
Lulu the Lorax 

     
----- Forwarded Message -----
 From: "water.lulu at yahoo.ca" <water.lulu at yahoo.ca>
 To: "justin.trudeau at parl.gc.ca" <justin.trudeau at parl.gc.ca>; Elizabeth May <elizabeth.may at parl.gc.ca>; Tom Mulcair <thomas.mulcair at parl.gc.ca>; Premier of Ontario | Première ministre de l’Ontario <premier at ontario.ca>; Andrea Horwath <ahorwath-qp at ndp.on.ca>; MPP Catherine Fife (Kitchener-Waterloo) <catherinefife at on.ndp.ca>; Bardish Chagger <bardish.chagger at parl.gc.ca>; Minister MOECC (MOECC) <minister.moecc at ontario.ca>; James Carr P.C.M.P. <nrcan.minister-ministre.rncan at canada.ca>; Carolyn Bennett <carolyn.bennett at parl.gc.ca>; NRIC MNR (MNR) <mnr.nric.mnr at ontario.ca>; "environment at afn.ca" <environment at afn.ca>; Greenbelt (MAH) <greenbelt at ontario.ca> 
 Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2016 2:12 PM
 Subject: RE: Greenbelt and Forestry: Stop the poisoning our water and forests.
   
Hi everyone
There is a scientist who noted a huge decline of deer in New Brunswick directly related to the use of glysophate aka Round-up pesticides by the forestry sector to grow soft lumber instead of hardwood. This resulted in a massive decline of food for the deer who's population dropped from 270,000 to 75,000. http://www.nationalobserver.com/2016/06/27/news/how-irvings-intimidate-their-critics

Currently in Ontario herbicides are used on 70,000 ha of land annually.  Here is a link to a Natural Resources of Canada forestry sector report confirming that they use glyphosate and they admit it does kill frogs. http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/pubwarehouse/pdfs/32344.pdf
First off, if the industry were truly sustainable they would not be in need of these chemicals. They are promoting this geo-engineering product as a good thing but where is the data to suggest this has been approved by First Nation's communities? Clearly if it impacts deer this can create food security issues for First Nation's people dependent on that meat. Is there an environmental assessment process required? Has there been any nation to nation consultations at all regarding this issue or potential risks associated with the use of these chemicals in the area?
There are many consequences to applying this kind of pesticide which is designed to encourage a mono plant culture. First off, it changes the PH balance of the sediment entirely. This has adverse impacts on soil biota and it disrupts the natural plant life and wildlife dependent on the plants being phased out.  It reduces natural bird breeding habitats, disrupts the habitats of natural bees that bore into the earth for homes, it disrupts the disbursal of slugs and snails which are primary food supplies of the lower chain of animals that feeds the upper. If it reduces animals like deer it is disrupting the disbursal of seeds and the ability of the forests to re-fertilize the lands and it destroys the ability of the forests to naturally regenerate. How is this impacting moose, caribou, endangered species etc. 
Each year 70,000 hectares are being exposed to these chemicals in Ontario. Are they new lands each time or the same properties? In the last 10 years how many hectares in total have been subject to the use of these herbicides? 
The entire hydrogeological regime of switching from mixed forests to softwoods augments water quality, water flow, flow rates and evapotranspiration. Softwood on it's own lacks the broad canopy that retains moisture and cools temperatures. We need these broad leaf plants and trees to capture rain and to shade areas and to stabilize weather patterns by keeping soil underneath cool and moist. It allows rainwater to go into the groundwater supply.  The hardwoods feed moisture back into the environment even during dry spells and we need these trees to help manage climate change impacts. 
Broad leaf plants help to keep enzymes in the soil healthy and this serves to capture more carbon than depleted soils. We need the leaves of hardwood and broad leaf plants to create a layer of organic materials so hibernating animals don't die in the winter.  The biomass of the leaves regenerates soil. Without them the softwoods will be depleted and likely diseased. How many generations can they re-grow this way before the soil is destroyed? Even a farmer rotates the crops. The forestry sector needs to allow the land to heal naturally and to allow nutrients to build up again. It is common sense. 

Pesticide use may show successes during the early stages of growth but later these trees will likely be nutrient starved and dry.  
The way we are currently doing forestry leads to broader issues of increased drought, fire and mudslide and flood risks. It is posing a risk to the future of the forestry sector. The deer is an indicator species. If they are adversely impacted it is testimony to the existing systematic imbalance of the system that is putting short term gain ahead of long term sustainability. 

We need the Greenbelt Act and the proposed Bluebelt Act to protect watershed system wide from such risks. We need watershed loadings to be fully understood. We need primary recharge areas protected from source to well to assure a renewable water supply for generations to come. 
Currently we are dealing with a highly fractured system of governance when it comes to water supplies. This is influenced by lobby groups that separates the management of aggregates, forestry, biodiversity and fisheries from the management of water itself. The MNR, MOE and Ministry of Health and DFO are fractured and we have no means to unify the total protection of watershed systems or watershed health in Canada. We need to protect and support life for generations to come but inefficient governance is blocking the way.  We need a national water strategy that places the emphasis on cohesion of these departments. We need legislation like the Greenbelt Act and the Bluebelt Act to review comprehensively what water supplies are needed to support fish, forests and communities but we also need to manage forestry and quarries to make sure their conduct does not adversely impact the watershed's water budget for the long term.  
Currently, the Ontario's Source Water Act only protects areas around wellheads but it does not protect primary recharge areas that feed the wells or areas beyond a 2 hour zone of influence. We lack protection for high water recharge areas where the rain hits the ground and travels to our wells and tributaries. If we don't work with care to protect these primary recharge areas, the downstream consequences and associated maintenance costs go up. There money to be made in increased costs for water treatment, storm management, flood prevention and pipeline schemes so be careful who's advice you take. Natural systems work and they support life. It is the reason why First Nation's value the sacredness of water. Our lives depend on it. Yours do to so protect it. 
In Ontario, Waterloo Region is being left out of the Greenbelt expansion areas and yet we are the largest region in Ontario dependent on groundwater supplies. 
When a recent oil spill happened in the Grand River, intakes had to be closed for a few days. The Region of Waterloo drew more water from the Greenbrook wells in Kitchener to make up the difference and when they did, I witnessed the depletion of wetland habitats for endangered species in Waterloo's Northwest corner. The ponds went dry and the mud at the bottom was exposed. Some are now covered with algae, while others are simply grass filled. How much water do we really have left and can it reasonably support the growth projections or are we racing our way to a water crisis where the only hope is in a pipeline to a toxic Lake Erie with algae and zebra mussels. We'll be drinking our own effluent over and over again. How long will that kind of water last? 
In Waterloo Region projects are still encroaching onto the last remaining habitats of endangered species in areas such as Hidden Valley in Kitchener and Barrie's Lake in Cambridge. The City of Kitchener is considering increasing density around Hidden Valley http://www.therecord.com/news-story/6743155-hidden-valley-developer-buys-a-little-more-time/ 
This decision by the city, came just after I had told them how a Part II order decision by the MOECC verified the presence of multiple endangered species in these same areas. To view the decision, see attachments. 
>From what I have observed, developers seek areas of primary recharge and forests specifically to offset development fees with aggregates and wood but this practice is resulting in overall water budget losses.  As the pavement covers the moraine with malls, roads and housing, we have greater flood and drought risks, increasing salt issues and contaminates in area wells. and it is putting the Grand River and the health of Lake Erie at risk. 
On June 29, 2016 the KW Record published a news story titled: City must cut use of salt if trees are to thrive written by Catherine Thompson. The article features an interview with Jim Urban, a leading expert on how cities should design, plan and maintain trees. The article states the following:
"I could taste the salt in the dust on my lips," he said Tuesday during a two-hour talk on urban trees at Kitchener City Hall attended by more than 80 people."We could see the salt crusting on the soil," he said. "In June. By June the salt should all be washed away."Until the city cuts down on salt use, there's no point in trying to improve the soils around street trees, or worrying about drainage, or what species might be best to plant, he said."You're not going to have healthy, thriving trees," he said.David Schmitt, who is responsible for Kitchener's plan to manage its urban forest, said the salt levels in the soil along King Street has been tested over the years. "At times they're toxic. We have trees that are salt-tolerant, but when you get to the level of toxicity," even those trees suffer, Schmitt said.
http://www.therecord.com/news-story/6744803-city-must-cut-use-of-salt-if-trees-are-to-thrive-says-expert/
Waterloo Ontario could experience a major water crisis in the not so distant future if we do not take measures today to reasonably protect our water and trees. The Places to Grow Act demands that we add the population of Kitchener into our Region and I am concerned we may not have water, or trees, or ecological health if we proceed without putting strict prohibitions to help protect our remaining forests, wetlands and recharge areas. 
Our cities can't afford endless OMB processes but the threats continue endlessly. 
Citizens groups are overwhelmed, underfunded and struggling with a multitude of threats dealing with over 80 quarry pits in our Region to Nestle's water taking schemes in Elmira to the endless encroachment on the last remaining wild spaces we've got. 
Applying the Greenbelt Act to Waterloo Region would be a God send. It is the stich in time that can save nine because we are already on the cusp of ecological collapse. 

Nature has provided water for millions of years before humanity existed. It can still do the job for free if we simply protect it. The animals are an indicator species on the health of watershed and the forests. Ours are dying right now. I've gardened for years in this region and have seen less than 15 bees in my yard this entire year. There used to be hundreds in my cherry trees and honeysuckles. The June bugs didn't come. The butterflies are gone along with the ladybugs. There are no grackles. 
Putting pesticides on 70,000 hectares of land each year in Ontario to curb broad leaf plants and trees is just like omitting Waterloo Region from the Greenbelt Act. 
We are living in the age of ecocide. I am scared and worried. Please help protect our life support systems and stop poisoning our water and forests. 
Louisette Lanteigne700 Star Flower Ave.Waterloo Ont.N2V 2L2 

  
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