<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=windows-1252"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;">Hi Greg and Gren'ers<div><br></div><div>Indeed, I agree with Greg and feel that it is very important that strong feedback be given to the provincial government on their proposed Wetland Conservation Strategy - in particular the very controversial and challenging issue of wetland offsetting.</div><div><br></div><div>To clear the record though, as the President of Ontario Nature, I can assure you that we have many concerns about this offsetting policy and are making 19 different recommendations to the province. Attached below is a very detailed 60 page report on Biodiversity Offsetting in Ontario released this past week by Ontario Nature. It is intended to provide clear direction, feedback and future directions to the provincial government.</div><div><br></div><div>Please feel free to read through the report and let me know any questions or ideas. I should also note that Region of Waterloo has taken a strong stance on offsetting and has recently fought cases before the OMB to try to prevent this practice from being established by developers in our region.</div><div><br></div><div>As Greg suggests please be sure to speak up and ensure that your voice is heard at Queen's Park on the Wetland Conservation Strategy. Please also remember the upcoming deadline of October 31st for feedback on the Greenbelt and Growth Plans, as well as the November 1st date for the OMB Provincial Review Open House in Guelph.</div><div><br></div><div>Cheers,</div><div>Kevin.</div><div><br></div><div></div></body></html>