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"WEEKEND STAR" FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2001 - 3 Full house on hand for discussion on Moraine report By Rik Davie The Star The Ontario govern- ment's first public meeting on the Oak Ridge Moraine development policy packed nearly 750 people into the Uxbridge Arena on Tuesday night. Government represen-. tatives explained the pol- icy on developing the environmentally sensitive lands that stretch from the Niagara escarpment in the west to just past the Region of Durham in the east. Among the major con- cerns for members of envi- ronmental groups attend- ing the meeting were the inclusion of areas on the moraine for recreational facilities such as golf cours- es and the allowances for further aggregate pits in an area they say should be kept pristine. Glenn DeBaerembpker, of the group. Save the. Rouge, which was instru- mental in the saving of a green corridor in the area of the Rouge River, said while he likes the plan to limit development there are holes in the govern- ment committee's plan. "The public will not be fooled by statements like not allowing estate homes for five years," Mr DeBaerembpker said. "These loopholes, we will eliminate them from this © report." 'Uxbridge Mayor Gerri- Lynn O'Connor thought the night -- which became heated at some points * during the public session - - was positive overall. "Discussion is always positive and while the pol- .icy plan does not address all the concerns we have, such as the powers of the (Ontario Municipal Board), it is a basis on which we can build," Mayor O'Connor said. Scugog Mayor Doug Moffatt told The Star he sees the committee's plan as the start of good things for the Oak Ridge Moraine. "I think it's a great - process," Mayor Moffatt said after the meeting. "Scugog's interest in this is that we have the most unspoiled area in the oak Ridge Moraine right here in Scugog." Mayor Moffatt said he - welcomes plans to protect lands on the moraine. "We've come 100-yards from where we were last June on this issue. I see this as the foundation for a long-term plan that will work for all involved." One item everyone agreed upon was the establishment of a 'Legacy Trust' that would be used to purchase sensitive wet- lands and other areas out of private ownership and fund research in ways to protect the moraine in the | future. The fund would be financed initially by start- up money from the province and federal gov- emments with additional dollars coming from an environmental charge on any development allowed on moraine lands. One thing both - local mayors agreed on was the need for the provincial government to take away the power of the Ontario Municipal quasi-judicial board which rules on what develop- ment will be allowed and where, to overrule local Official Plan regulations. Uxbridge-Ajax-Pickering ~ MPP Janet Ecker also saw MADNESS SALE STARTS AT NOON ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 31ST Stoves, Chimneys Fireplaces SAVE AT LEAST L¢) - EVERYTHING 900 Hopkins St. at Bums WHITBY 905-668-3192 Board, the the meeting as positive for the moraine. "I think that this is just the beginning," Ms. Ecker told The Star. "I think we have just heard the first of Jhundreds of submissions "the panel will be getting. "That will be the basis of our legislation," she said. "We need to work hard and get this right." Ms. Ecker said that Liberal critics of the plan like Toronto-area MPP Mike Colle need to remember that past gov- ernments had similar opportunities to deal with the moraine issue. "One of the reasons we need this now is that previ- ous governments failed to protect these lands when they had the chance to do so." : Wynn Walters, a well- known member of the arts community in Uxbridge and environmentalist, said / oy ¥ or EOC delecled Abhlot AC Prt ey) he felt the huge crowd and large number of speakers sent a clear message to the province. "The comments were almost universally in sup- port of stronger support members and if (the gov- ernment) don't get the message then we will send the message with our vates," Mr. Walters said. "There are some good ini- tiatives in the report, but it needs strengthening." ili [Saud § & Gi 14 iii 1a Fi died . SAVE EVERY DAY WITH YOUR BROCK'S GOLD CARD for | Zone 200b 2. 16 The meeting was the first of four to be held in various areas across their moraine over the next few weeks . Persons with comments or suggestions can write to Oak Ridges Moraine Consultations, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, 17th floor, 777 Bay St. Toronto On. M5G 2ES for more information, or call, 1-866-622-4115. Sale ends Tuesday, Sept. 4/01 See in Store Receive a free pencil set with a Back to School Purchase over $60 for details Expires Monday, September 3/2001 (while supplies last) 168 Queen Street, Port PAVREV I) Perm IR) } AYA WW w.brockste NC.COlLL RITE On foot IEE REE RENEE EEE EEN EEE EERE EEE TYEE EY