I am a cottager on Georgian…

I am a cottager on Georgian Bay and Past President of the Cognashene Cottagers Association. I have been following the proposal to develop this site for a "trailer park" for a number of years. I find the the concept of habitat destruction for species at risk offensive and to suggest this development can achieve an overall benefit to a species is quite laughable.

The concept of a trailer park adjacent to one of the most diverse PSW in south eastern Georgian Bay and identified as such by the Georgian Bay Land Trust is tragic. The destruction of close to 30 ha of habitat for the Eastern Fox Snake, Blandings Turtle and the Eastern Whip-poor-Will is equally tragic.

As a seasonal cottager for over 50 years I have witnessed the steady decline of game fish, amphibians and reptiles throughout this sensitive ecological corridor.

Specific to the applicants proposal my comments to their mitigation efforts are as follows:

"Minimizing the removal and disturbance of vegetation and rock barrens outside of development envelopes". THERE SHOULD BE NO REMOVAL OR DISTURBANCE OUTSIDE THE DEVELOPMENT ENVELOPE

Protecting existing habit in the area of the proposed project for the long term by placing an area of private property to the west of the property under a conservation easement - HOW IS THIS MANAGED AND BY WHOM

Enhancing this area by restricting the use of off-road motorized vehicles on existing trails THERE SHOULD BE NO OFF ROAD VEHICLES AND ALL EXISTING TRAILS CLOSED TO MOTORIZED VEHICLES. ANY TRAILS OUTSIDE THE DEVELOPMENT SHOULD BE FOR FOOT TRAFFIC ONLY

Creating new artificial nesting sites for the species within this area erecting signage to support outreach and education about the species. THIS IS NOT FEASIBLE GIVEN THE DENSITY OF THE DEVELOPMENT. SPECIES HABITAT WILL ALL BE BUT DESTROYED. THE NAMED SPECIES AT RISK ARE SHY AND DO NOT MIX WELL CLOSE TO HUMAN HABITAT.

In summary it is quite disturbing this development was permitted in the first place. Between the proposed density of development and the sewage treatment the resulting consequence of very poor planning decisions by the Township of Georgian Bay and a developer who simply wishes to maximize their financial gain is species extinction.

This is clearly the vision of the present provincial government and it is very sad.