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The ESA

April 8, 2015   ·   0 Comments

Your correspondent Mr van Trigt (2 April) should read the Endangered Species Act and check the ESA web site for updated regulations.

It is true that some restrictions listed in the ESA were modified by regulations published a few years after the ESA came into effect.  That is the problem with the ESA:  it was enacted before the government thought through the implications or consulted those who are most affected by it – ie, farmers.  So, for example, many Butternut trees were destroyed before June 2008; a few years later regulations stipulated that a planted Butternut tree could be utilized by the planter as (s)he sees fit.

But the restriction on mowing grain crops for a distance of 1/2 mile around a badger den remains.  The protection of Bobolink nesting sites by denial of hay cropping till after mid July was deferred a year or two while the government “studies” all the implications, but will become law after December unless the deferral is extended further.  And identification of listed species that few of us have ever seen remains difficult.

A major concern is the authorization of government-appointed “agents” to enter and search vehicles, property and farm buildings, without a warrant, on “suspicion” that a violation occurred.  That clause also allows the searcher to remove paper and electronic records found in those places, again without a warrant.  That is an outrageous law, when a simple court order can authorize a search that is properly justified.

Finally, with all the regulations, deferrals, etc attending this highly unstable ESA, no farmer has the time or access to learn, from day to day, what (s)he can and cannot do, whereas there is an army of civil servants busily writing and re-writing regulations and adding species to the lists.

My hand-planted managed forest – intended for improvement of the environment and ultimately for a sustainable source of enjoyment and income for my descendants – is modelled on the public forests of Germany, found at every town and hamlet.  It cost and is costing me a great deal of money and physical labour that, at my age, I could well do without.  The last thing I need is some government busybody peering over my shoulder and writing legislation to curtail any of my activities that he arbitrarily chooses to end, when I know far better than him what is best for my bit of land.  I stand by my objections.

I wish to add that Mr van Trigt’s “rebuttal” is welcome.  Very rarely do letter writers engage in debate in your pages.   It is refreshing to hear other points of view and I would be the last person to attempt to suppress them.

I do think, however, that Mr van Trigt overlooks the danger that, once an authority to charge landowners for “possession” of endangered species is embedded in law, the government of the day is permitted to carry out the law.  Some governments – perhaps the one we have now in Ontario – would be inclined to do just that, which is why I call the ESA a danger to landowners as well as to the listed species.

Charles Hooker

East Garafraxa

Council’s budget battles examined

On March 31st, I watched three full hours of the most exceptional Reality TV programming ever – Orangeville’s budget meeting, with the committee being comprised of all council members.

This “TEAM” stumbled through yet another (12th?) unproductive, hostile meeting.

The first quarter of 2015 is now over, and there’s still no end in sight.

Wow …. talk about reality TV. …. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this. I watched it from beginning to end. This spectacle was the best entertainment – showcasing the funniest, and the saddest group of politicians I’ve ever seen. The intensity just kept increasing to the point where the daggers were drawn, and they took turns verbally stabbing each other.

Mr. Kidd sarcastically expressed “disappointment” at having many key staff members absent, resulting in Deputy Mayor Maycock admonishing the committee chair, Garisto, for not reeling in Mr Kidd.

Mayor Williams said he understood Mr. Kidd’s frustration but mentioned he had advised the police chief that his attendance wasn’t necessary.

The acting CAO then said he’d given the okay for other staff members to miss this meeting. Mr Kidd said he can say he’s disappointed if that’s how he feels … and on and on and on and on. Tempers flared. What a hoot.

Then there was the “who’s really responsible” for not making the necessary recommendations for a minimal, if not zero, tax increase. Back and forth ongoing accusations flying between the Kidd, Garisto, Williams side, and the Wilson, Bradley, Maycock, Campbell side, with the reserve funds issue being flung around continuously.

Hey. …. I’ve got an idea that can hopefully promote teamwork, get everyone on the same page, while focusing less on cost reduction (’cause it appears that tact won’t fly), and focus more on revenue generation.

Let’s take our lead from the reality show, Duck Dynasty – very popular, very stupid, and very profitable. With some publicity, we’d be sure to attract a national broadcaster willing to produce our very own reality series, “Beauty Budget Battles,” with all proceeds going to both Orangeville’s capital cost projects and reserve funds – and council can concentrate on possible new careers, which they might need 3 1/2 short years from now.

Seriously, these guys (and gals) REALLY seem to have a hate on for each other and, as a council,  give the lasting impression of being totally dysfunctional. … Happy to be living in East Gary.

Morris Greener

East Garafraxa

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