Cottagers helped in park set up (Peterborough Examiner Aug 2002)

I would like to add to the comments Mr. Walsh made in his reply to your article (Examiner, Aug. 15) entitled Still no decision by province on Kawartha Highlands.

Mr. Walsh stated that there are many cottagers who support the Local Stakeholders Committee's recommendations. What he forgot to say is that the cottagers were in fact instrumental in the creation of the Kawartha Highlands Signature Site and the impetus for the creation of the site came from a group of cottagers who saw the Lands For Life as an opportunity to provide against the present and future abuse, overuse and destruction.

As cottagers, we see signs of this abuse every summer weekend. Uncontrolled camping on Crown land is on the increase as is the use of environmentally harmful Personal Water Craft and All Terrain Vehicles. The area's sparse soil does not allow campers to bury human waste; consequently, it gets washed from the rocky shores into the lakes. We are concerned about the water and air pollution caused by the two stroke PCW engines and the ATVs. We are anxious about the impact of ATVs on wildlife. And finally, we wonder what will happen to this area once Highway 407 is extended from Toronto to Peterborough and no controls are placed on the use of Crown land.

Every local real estate agent will confirm that the demand for cottage properties is growing every year. There is still an abundance of Crown land with lake frontage, even on lakes with already established cottage communities.

What if a government, strapped for cash, started to sell this Crown land, coveted by so many?

Cottagers from other parts of Ontario have told me that the proposed park is a precious gift. I pray that we keep and value it rather that toss is away. We may not have another opportunity to protect this beautiful land.

DANA DVORAK
Wolf Lake
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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