Nothing to report.

Pinesi portage project:

Paul reported on the successful trail inauguration event which was held on July 1 at New Edinburg Park. It was well attended and garnered very good media coverage, with the Chief and Council members from Pikewakanagan, and elected officials from the three levels of government taking part in the proceedings. Not all elements of the project have yet been finalized however, in particular the commemorative mural has yet to be completed and installed on the New Edinburg Park field house.

Regarding the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative grant, Paul sought the direction of members on whether to take the off ramp offered by the grant administrator, Community Foundations of Canada, to curtail the project to the City of Ottawa only trail loop, funded with the first slice of funding provided, or hold out for the full funding pending the NCC’s eventual approval of an extended loop over NCC lands. It was agreed that the uncertainty around the timing and intentions of the NCC on the matter represented too great a financial risk to the GA and that it was preferable to take the off ramp and bring the project to a close pending the completion of all activities related to the City of Ottawa only loop, ensuring it is fully financed by the grant.

Designation of the Greenbelt as an Urban National Park

Paul reported on recent contacts with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and the Ottawa Carleton Wildlife Centre regarding a campaign to promote the designation of the Greenbelt as an Urban National Park. The federal government has recently made available significant funding towards the establishment of such national parks. The example of the Rouge urban national park in Toronto was given and members asked about any other cases. It was suggest that other groups such as the 8 80 Group Ottawa and Parkways for People might be good allies in such a campaign. The role of the NCC in such a scenario was raised. What would be in it for them and how would they react to such a proposal? What would be the advantages in terms of protection of the Greenbelt under Parks Canada administration over NCC administration?  With these questions and issues in mind, it was agreed to continue exploring this idea with the interested parties.

Designation of the NCR as a UNESCO Biosphere

GA member John Almstedt brought to the attention of members work he and a group of retired educators have been doing in regard to the recognition of the National Capital Region as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. All agree in principle that this would be a desirable outcome but little is known about the process and practicalities of it. The Frontenac Arch UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Quebec plans for a biodiversity reserve along the Noir and Coulonge rivers, and the Charlevoix UNESCO Biosphere Reserve were cited as examples to follow, and also work undertaken by John Birtch and the Ottawa Biosphere Eco-City Initiative. Ideally, a citizen led, youth oriented grassroots movement, with buy in from municipal authorities in Ottawa and Gatineau was seen as the way to go.

Development proposal in Orleans Mer Bleue area, with significant tree loss

A Zoning By-law Amendment application to rezone this site from Development Reserve (DR) to residential is under consideration. The planned development consists of four buildings, two 2-storey townhouse dwellings (eight units) and two 2 ½ storey stacked townhouse dwellings (16 units). Vehicular access will be via Renaud Road to the north, there will be surface parking and a common amenity space on the southeast portion of the lands. This could cause the removal of a large section of remnant forest on this 5 acre property. The GA will further investigate and make representations to the City on this development application.