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Years from now you ll still see the impact of the Oalc Ridges Moraine Conservation Act LAST MAY, Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister, Chris Hodgson, embarked on an affirmative plan to preserve the environmental balance of the Oak Ridges Moraine for generations to come. The outcome is the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Ad, 2001. A bold effort applauded by citizens and stakeholders alike. This historic legislation allows the government to put in place a conservation conservation plan for the future protection of 100 per cent of the Moraine's significant significant natural features and important water resources. And it does so, in part, by providing clarity on where development can and cannot occur. It's important because the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act is as dedicated to protecting your health as it is to protecting the environment. In fact, the Moraine (which stretches 160 km from the Trent River in the east to the Niagara Escarpment in the west) works as a vital recharge zone for groundwater that flows into streams and rivers, wetlands and lakes, and is a direct source of drinking water for more than 250,000 people. It also provides a natural habitat for countless plants and animals, including threatened species that are not found anywhere else in southern Ontario. Preserving the Oak Ridges Moraine is part of this government's proud commitment to Smart Growth - our long-term strategy to promote vibrant communities, a strong economy and a clean, healthy environment for all the people of Ontario. We consider our newest legislation an important achievement because it will not only plant the seeds of a legacy for future generations, but it will also protect one of Ontario's most important ecological assets, the Oak Ridges Moraine. @ Ontario For more information on the ORM Conservation Act please call toll free 1-866-622-4115 or visit www.mah.gov.on.ca