Early settlers viewed the wilderness as the enemy. Tall pines must be cut to clear the land. This is quite understandable. But Simcoe County’s action in ignoring wilderness in its Growth Plan is not.

Unprecedented development pressure is facing the county.

Developers are leap-frogging the Greenbelt into Simcoe County. A massive development is on the books for the Bradford-Bond Head Corridor — 100,000 new residents. Forty farms have been purchased near Beeton. Two 500 home developments are planned near Hillsdale.

It is unacceptable to say that the Official Plan will protect the environment. The requirements for an Environmental Impact Statement are among the weakest of any county in Ontario.

One visit to a subject property to assess the plants, animals and the ecosystem would satisfy the requirements.  

Simcoe County council should take immediate steps to appoint a County Environmental Advisory Committee to study what steps are necessary to protect the county’s environment within the framework of the growth plan.

Some of the best naturalists/ecologists in Ontario live in Simcoe County. Ron Reid of the Couchiching Conservancy would be an ideal chair for the committee.

Jim Woodford,
Coldwater