Protect Leitrim Wetland: please write to the Ministry of the Environment to oppose the developers’ application for a 10-year drainage permit (deadline: October 16).
On July 11, 2008, developers submitted a proposal to pump up to 17 million litres per day for ten years from the Leitrim Wetland area (EBR # 010-4134). The Greenspace Alliance and others have commented on this proposal.
On September 16, an amended proposal was posted (EBR # 010-4670). The revised application is for up to 13 million additional litres per day for ten years.
Comments on the revised proposal are invited until October 16, 2008. Please write in and comment! These comments are taken very seriously. Letters can be sent by email or regular mail.
For background information and earlier comments submitted, see:
and
Application for a 10-year Permit to Take Water.
Sample letter (please cut and past and select paragraphs or paraphrase)
Peter Taylor (Email: peter.g.taylor (at) ontario.ca)
Water Resources Supervisor
Eastern Region Technical Support Section
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
1259 Gardiners Road, Unit 3
Kingston, ON K7M 8S5
Dear Mr. Taylor:
RE: Permit to Take Water EBR Registry Number: 010-4670
As a resident of Ontario, I wish to express my concerns about this permit to take water (PTTW), as I believe that approving this permit will have detrimental environment effects.
• It is my understanding that the community environmental groups Greenspace Alliance of Canada’s Capital and Sierra Club Canada have repeatedly sought disclosure of all hydrogeologic data gathered by the proponent, so that the potential impact of further water taking on the wetland could be properly assessed. The developer keeps hiding information. This is unacceptable.
• Since 2000, seven PTTW’s have been issued for watertakings from the Leitrim Wetland. It is not reasonable to issue another PTTW without assessing the potential cumulative ecological consequences.
• A precautionary approach should be used here. Before this PTTW is issued, the developers must properly assess:
a) the cumulative impact of historical water takings
b) the short term and long term impacts, and
c) the long term impact of housing on the remaining portion of the wetland.
• It is my understanding that plant communities have sustained catastrophic damage in the areas of the wetland where backflooding has occured. Some of the rare plants which were restricted to the part of the wetland that was flooded which were obliterated are Canada Rush (Juncus canadensis) and Dark-leaved Willow (Salix myrsinifolia).
• It is my understanding that most of a marsh that was potential habitat for Blanding’s Turtles has been obliterated by construction activities.
• It is my understanding that a number of rare plants communities have been harmed or obliterated as a result of issuances of previous PTTW’s. Regionally Significant plants that occurred only in the unprotected parts of the wetland and that were obliterated include Downy Willow-herb (Epilobium strictum), Spiny Coontail (Ceratophyllum echinatum), and Basket Willow (Salix purpurea). Several uncommon plants, also restricted to the unprotected parts of the wetland, have, due to developer activities in 2007-2008, likely been extirpated namely River Cyperus (Cyperus rivularis), Strigose Cyperus (Cyperus strigosus), Red-sheathed Bulrush (Scirpus microcarpus) and Bottle Gentian (Gentiana andrewsii).
• The 2005 Provincial Policy Statement and Ottawa’s Official Plan prohibit development within a wetland and limit it within 120 metres of a wetland. This Permit to take water is intended to permit residential development within a wetland and adjacent to a Provincially Significant Wetalnd. It is not acceptable to issue a permit for an activity that is prohibited.
• It is not reasonable to issue a PTTW to an applicant who has repeatedly demonstrated flagrant defiance of environmental laws.
• It is the responsibility of the Ministry of Environment to protect, conserve and, where reasonable, restore the integrity of the environment, including biological, ecological, genetic diversity, and plant and animal life.
• With a permit to take water 365 days per year for 10 years, the government would be writing a blank cheque, with no effective controls in place to protect the wetland.
I am requesting that this permit application be denied.
Your name and civic address