According to Ducks Unlimited "a wetland is an area where water and land meet to create a rich habitat for a variety of plants and animals. More than 24 per cent of the world's wetlands are in Canada, adding up to 314 million acres that support a wide array of wildlife. Wetlands are considered vital to the health of the entire ecosystem, acting as earth's natural sponges to control soil erosion, replenish ground water, absorb floodwaters and clean polluted surface water. Unfortunately many wetlands are lost to development. In Southern Ontario alone, over 80 per cent of the wetlands have already disappeared."

(October 2001, http://www.ducks.ca/news/1998/980402.html)

If we are to prevent the further loss of wetlands in Eastern Ontario we must make individual efforts to protect the wetlands. As landowners and individuals concerned about the welfare of our environment, we do have a personal roll to play in the preservation of wetlands on the Rideau Lakes.

The Government of Ontario has a Provincial Land use Planning Policy in effect which is intended to "promote and manage growth in ways that sustain a strong economy; build strong communities; and promote a healthy environment" (July 2001, Provincial Policy statement five-year review). The following is an excerpt from the policy statement.

More information can be found on the website: http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/business/policye/principles.asp

Provincial Policy Statement

Ontario's long-term economic prosperity, environmental health and social well being depend on:

1. Managing change and promoting efficient, cost-effective development and land use patterns which stimulate economic growth and protect the environment and public health;
2. Protecting resources for their economic use and/or environmental benefits; and
3. Reducing the potential for public cost or risk to Ontario's residents by directing development away from areas where there is a risk to public health or safety or of property damage.

The sections of this Policy Statement that are relevant to the protection of wetlands only provide restrictions on developing or altering wetlands that are considered significant. This means that unless the wetland has been assessed and identified as provincially significant it is not protected under this land use planning act.

Provincially significant wetlands are wetlands that have been assessed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and meet specific requirements based on parameters such as size and location as well as the presence of certain plant and animal species. Development may also be allowed on significant wetlands as long as "it has been demonstrated that there will be no negative impacts on the natural features or the ecological functions for which the area is identified." ( Policy Statement 2001) This means that if a developer can show that there will be no damage to the sensitive area in question, they will be able to build or develop that land.

It is the wetlands that are not provincially significant that we must make an effort to look out for. As conservationists trying to promote sustainable living we must encourage our municipality to make wise decisions when creating and implementing the new zoning by-laws that will begin to be developed within the next six months.

Individual municipalities are responsible for implementing the policy as it applies to their jurisdiction and this is where your voice counts. The Township of Rideau Lakes can begin to protect area wetlands as long as the wetlands have been identified and properly zoned. The Ministry of Natural Resources has identified and mapped the majority of wetlands on the Rideau Lakes and has made this information available to the Township who must now implement zoning restrictions. When there is land being developed that is in question the Township contacts the Conservation Authority to have it inspected. By monitoring the wetlands in our area we can increase the awareness of the importance that they have for our environment.

How Can YOU help?

There are several ways that individual conservationists can help protect wetlands and promote sustainable development.

1. Be aware of your ecological footprint. Follow environmental practices that minimize your impact on the lake, wetlands and surrounding areas.
2. If you are aware that a wetland in your area has been purchased and is being developed, you should call the Township of Rideau Lakes office and inquire about the land in question. Ask about the zoning restrictions and make sure they are aware that there is a precious wetland that is in danger of being destroyed. Make it clear that we want the municipality to appreciate the value of wetlands.
3. If you would like to take the matter of conserving wetlands even further and you own property that has a wetland on it you can preserve it through a conservation easement. "A conservation easement is a legal agreement by which a landowner voluntarily restricts or limits the types and amounts of development that may take place on her/his land to protect its natural features" (Oct. 2001 http://www.natureconservancy.ca). With an easement, you are still able to own the property, sell it or donate it at any time. One organization that organizes conservation easements is Nature Conservancy Canada. For more information on conservation easements, visit the Nature Conservancy of Canada website, www.natureconservancy.ca
4. Nature Conservancy Canada also accepts donations of land. They then ensure that the lands are stewarded as permanent nature preserves and remain protected forever. If you have the resources to make such a generous contribution to sustainability please contact Nature Conservancy Canada to find out more.

Although not all of us have the financial resources required to donate land, we do have the power of our words and actions. We must work with the municipality, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the local Conservation Authority by being their eyes and ears around the lake. We must help monitor land use in our own areas and promote awareness of the Land Use Planning Act. New zoning BI-laws are being developed within the next six months and it should be clear to the municipality that we want to protect the wetlands in our community.