Comments on Species at Risk…

Comments on Species at Risk Concerns – Macey Bay

I am a resident of Honey Harbour in the Township of Georgian Bay. I am very concerned with the proposed Trailer Park at Macey Bay and the environmental impacts that it will have.

I have been watching with great interest, the process that the developer has gone through with respect to approvals for this proposed development. My observations and conclusions are that this developer does not wilfully seek to respect the interests and concerns of either the community nor the environment. Rather that seek ways to work with the community and respect the environment this developer seems to reluctantly meet even the minimum standards needed or seeks ways to convince authorities that they should be allowed lower standards. This is evident as you review the Peer Reviews that have been provided on the various elements of this project. (links are below)
Specifically, the Peer Reviews on the Environmental concerns show a process where the Township’s Peer Review company has provided strong environmental recommendations to correct the weak environmental approaches provided by the developer. One does not need to be an expert on environmental matters or species at risk to see the huge gaps in the strategies between the developer and the Peer Review company. Additionally, even with significant discussions following the first and second peer reviews, there continue to be concerns raised by the Peer Review company that have not been addressed. My concerns continue when I read that the Peer Review company appears to be deferring to MNRF and MECP to address some of the concerns that they (Peer Review company) appear to have over compromised on.

As residents, we rely on our Government and Ministries to protect our environment from overly anxious developers who are motivated by profit at the expense of the environment or any community benefit. The concerns raised by the Peer Review company are significant and given that the proposed development is surrounded by the very sensitive PS-EPS of Tobie’s Wetland, I am worried that a development of the size planned will destroy much of the habitat of the species at risk that live there.

The whole project and the alarming size of it needs to be reviewed with great scrutiny with a specific focus on protecting the sensitive environment and the many species at risk that live there.

The Peer Reviews on this project that have been noted above have been posted on the Georgian Bay Township’s Web Site.

Link to Initial Peer Response on Environmental Concerns:
https://georgianbay.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/?preview=184180

Link to 2nd Peer Review Response on Environmental Concerns
https://georgianbay.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/?preview=184193

Link to Addendum to 2nd Peer Review Response on Environmental Concerns
https://georgianbay.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/?preview=184192