Paul reported that he would be interviewed by Laura Osman of the CBC on landowners’ concerns regarding the upcoming designation of the Goulbourn Provincially Significant Wetlands in the City’s Official Plan. We are on the record in this longstanding controversy urging the City and the Conservation Authority to protect these wetlands.

The local community association has completed a very exhaustive report on the use of trails in the Greenbelt abutting their community by mountain bikers. This is another chapter in how to accommodate recreational use of greenspace while still preserving its ecological integrity. The report can be found here: http://www.chapel-hill-north-forest-trails.ca/

Erwin attended this lab and reported that there were no references to the Canadensis proposal for a new, commercial, botanical garden on Agriculture Canada land between Prince of Wales and the Rideau Canal. One learned about botanical gardens in Toronto, Montreal and the Royal Ottawa Hospital here in Ottawa.

We have received notification that the NCC has settled its appeal of the 2003 Official Plan designation as Open Space of three NCC properties: Rochester Field, part of McCarthy Woods and Meadow and the Merivale-Woodroffe corridor. The GA was recognized as a party in these proceedings. The NCC has dropped its appeal regarding Rochester Field and McCarthy Woods and Meadow, part of an agreement with the City that will see 80% of Rochester Field remain as greenspace, and all of McCarthy Woods and Meadow, including the parcel west of Riverside going down to the Rideau River, remain as Open Space. The appeal regarding the Merivale- Woodroffe corridor remains outstanding.

Paul gave a very brief update of the current status of this group, which he co-chairs with the Ottawa Hospital’s Chief Communications and Outreach Officer. The group has met monthly over the summer months and has developed a process and principles framework to guide their deliberations of the substantive issues they will be called up to engage once the active design phase begins.

Paul had circulated information and greenspace concerns associated with the planned extension of Earl Armstrong Rd.  We discussed risks and options.

Action: Paul will prepare and circulate a GA position prior to the deadline for comment submission, which is November 30. (Post-meeting note: The comment can be found here.)

Paul sought volunteers to attend the inaugural meeting of the stakeholders’ consultation group for the is EA scheduled for November 28. No one has been identified to date.