<html><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:10pt"><div id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" class="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1394115360867_30" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_89">Hi folks</span></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_93 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12753" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><span id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_92"><br clear="none"></span></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_96 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12754" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;">I've been busy keeping up on fighting to protect Hidden Valley. The Region wants to do the River Road Extension to basically make a
secondary route to bypass traffic from Manitou to Best Buy. They say it will reduce traffic collisions from Fairway road, but they don't tell you it will simply transfer the collision risks to the new point of intersection instead. </div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_113 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12755" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><br clear="none" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_116"></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_114 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12756" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;">The plans are based on a 1999 master plan, before the Region even grasped the concept of climate change. Their remedy back in the day is that when traffic grows, build more roads. But now we've built so many the only areas left are the ones that have the highest
ecological constraints. They are the habitats for rare species and natural recharge areas we rely on for our Municipal Water. </div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_118 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12757" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><br clear="none" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_121"></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_119 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12758" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;">I started fighting to protect Hidden Valley in 2004. I know the area is primary recharge and we know it has pristine water conditions because they confirmed endangered Jefferson Salamanders here. Those animals breath through the skin so any toxicity issues shows up in this indicator species. The fact that they are there represents and incredible quality of water that we
need to help dilute our road salt issues and legacy contamination issues. </div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_106 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12759" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><br clear="none"></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_105 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12760" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;">The original cost was 24 milion but now it's up to 74 million dollars because they kept having to redesign the road around the salamanders. I work with a group called Friends of Hidden Valley and with Naturalist Neil Taylor and we all pressured the Region to do this in compliance to Species At Risk Act. For 74 million they can afford to purchase 144 hybrid buses at 500,000 each or they could extend the LRT for another 3km. I went to council yesterday to state that before
they decided on the final plan so it's on record. In my view you can't build more roads to solve the problem. Back when this plan was first proposed in 2004, population was 495,000. Our population is jumping up to 742,000 in the next 17 years. That's our provincial growth target. Whatever benefits of offsetting traffic is bound to be negated by the fast growth we have. The only way to mitigate the traffic and associated health and pollution risks is to mitigate cars off the roadways by investing in reasonable public transportation options. </div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_127 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12761" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><br clear="none" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_130"></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_128 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12762"
id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;">In my speech I researched collisions in Waterloo Region. The main cause is rear end collision and the hour it happens the most is 5 o'clock. When folks drive hungry and tired, accidents happen. They need to look at the actual stastics and stop thinking they can make an infrastructure solve the problem of human behaviour.</div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_132 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12763" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><br clear="none" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_139"></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_137 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12764" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;">I also found out at the last open house that there is a HUGE number of rare species in Hidden
Valley that the public has not been reasonably notified about. I read about these in the LGL Environmental Impact reports. <span style="background-color: transparent;">They include the following:</span></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_146 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12766" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><br clear="none" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_149"></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_147 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12767" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;">Barn Swallow (threatened) Butternut Trees (Threatnened) Chimney Swift (Threatened) Bobolink (Threatened) Milk Snake (Special Concern) Snapping Turtle (Special Concern) Nighthawk (Special Concern) Bald Eagle (Special Concern) Canada Warbler (Special Concern)</div><div
class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_159 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12768" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><br clear="none" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_162"></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_160 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12769" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;">Suitable habiat exists but data is lacking to confirm the presence for Least Bittern (Threatened) Rusty Patch Bumble Bee (Endangered) Northern Myotis (Long Eared Bat)</div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_164 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12770" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><br clear="none" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_171"></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_169
yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12771" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;">Naturalist Neil Taylor also knows about Cerulean Warblers (threatened) and Acadian Flycatchers (endangered)</div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_174 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12772" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><br clear="none" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_177"></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12773" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;">His data is online here: <a rel="nofollow" shape="rect" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_186" target="_blank" href="http://www.kwfn.ca/Conservation/River%20Road%20Extension/NT%20Response%20to%20River%20Rd%20Exten.pdf" style="background-color: rgb(255,
255, 255); font-size: 10pt;">http://www.kwfn.ca/Conservation/River%20Road%20Extension/NT%20Response%20to%20River%20Rd%20Exten.pdf</a></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_193 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12775" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><br clear="none" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_196"></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12776" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;">I know about most of these species because I saw the Environmental Impact Study at the Open House. It was not on display but someone left a copy and I took the time to go through it with my Camera. I posted the photos online here: <a rel="nofollow" shape="rect"
id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_207" target="_blank" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/64027613@N00/sets/72157636164364475/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/64027613@N00/sets/72157636164364475/</a></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12777" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><br clear="none" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_212"></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12778" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;">I've been discussing the issues with the Wildlands League, Ecojustice and Ontario Nature. Right now t<span id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_7994" style="background-color:
transparent;">he best way folks can help is to write to the Provincial MNR Minister, the Minister of Transportation and the Region of Waterloo to request the following. </span></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12780" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><br clear="none" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_237"></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12781" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;">Bump up this Class EA Schedule C project to a Class EA schedule D which has higher constraints and better monitoring to to the complex nature of this project to mitigate risks and secure better quality of data upon which the
ministries can form their decision.</div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12782" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><br clear="none"></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12783" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;">There can be no judiciary review of this issue until critical habitat has been identified for ALL the listed threatened and endangered species<span id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_246" style="background-color: transparent;"> identified in Hidden Valley. </span></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194
yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12785" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><span id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_248" style="background-color: transparent;">Request that the Region of Waterloo and the Ministries pursue the proper authorization for all the listed species at risk. </span></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12787" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><span id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_252" style="background-color: transparent;"><br clear="none" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_258"></span></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12789"
id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><span id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_255" style="background-color: transparent;">It appears that discretionary powers were used to</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> scope the Environmental Assessment process</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> to the area of the roadway itself</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> excluding reasonable habitat protection provisions in compliance to the Ontario </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">Endangered Species Act and the Species At Risk Act therefore the supporting data of this project as it stands currently is insufficient.</span></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12791"
id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><span id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_287" style="background-color: transparent;"><br clear="none" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_293"></span></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12793" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><span id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_290" style="background-color: transparent;">Here are the folks to email: </span></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12793" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><br></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175
yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12793" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Waterloo Region Regional Council <a href="http://regionalcouncil@regionofwaterloo.ca/">regionalcouncil@regionofwaterloo.ca</a></span></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12793 yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1394115360867_45" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">MNR Minister David Orazietti </span><a href="mailto:dorazietti.mpp@liberal.ola.org" class="yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1394115360867_47" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: purple; font-size: 16px;">dorazietti.mpp@liberal.ola.org</a></div><div
class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12793 yui_3_13_0_ym1_8_1394115360867_35" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;">Ministry of Transporation <a href="http://gmurray.mpp@liberal.ola.org/">gmurray.mpp@liberal.ola.org</a></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12796" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><br></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12796" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><br></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175
yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12796" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;">If you can pass this along through your channels I'd appreciate it. Deadline for public comments to the ministries and region at this point is APRIL 5th. </div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12796" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><br></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12796" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;">Letters to the Editors regarding this would be super too. </div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175
yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12796" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><br></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12796" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;">Thanks! </div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12796" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;"><br></div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12796" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;">Louisette Lanteigne</div><div
class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12796" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;">700 Star Flower Ave.</div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12796" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;">Waterloo Ont.</div><div class="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_175 yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_194 yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1394115360867_12796" id="yiv0157180076yui_3_13_0_ym1_6_1394115360867_62" style="background-color: transparent;">N2V 2L2</div></div></body></html>