There is a grass roots movement in my neighbourhood regarding an ecologically sensitive forest called the South March Highlands, which include the Beaver Pond Land. Thirty years ago, a zoning mistake failed to protect the entire South March Highlands from development. Attempts to stop a major road extension (Terry Fox Drive) were unsuccessful and developers are in the process of levelling a large part of this magnificent forest.
A 2008 environmental assessment described the SMH as the richest area of biological diversity in greater Ottawa. It is also home to at least nine threatened species, including the Blanding’s turtle, butternut tree and American ginseng.
The latest concern is the development of the Beaver Pond Lands, an area just north of Kanata Lakes and only 15 minutes from downtown Ottawa. It is the last remaining old growth forest in the city and offers wonderful recreational activities like mountain biking, walking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. There are plans to build 3200 homes and the abundant forest destroyed.
Residents of Kanata, Ottawa and environmentalists have been busy with petitions, attending meetings and writing councillors, the Mayor and Members of Parliament demanding a stop to builders KNL (a partnership formed between Richcraft and Urbandale).
This is a complex issue with community supporters on both sides. There are many people in favour of construction plans. I find following the lively discussion in the media, fascinating.
Kanata North Councillor Marianne Wilkinson recently proposed a motion November 22nd City Council meeting, a land swap. This was a creative attempt to save the Beaver Pond. The Ottawa Citizen Newspaper reports KNL agreed to swap 10 acres of land at no cost to the city. It is unclear what will happen to the remaining forest.
Yesterday I received an interesting update on the Facebook page “I want to save the land North of the Beaver Pond Park in Kanata Ontario” from Steve Hulaj, president of the Kanata Lakes Community Association. He has an archaeological study says 4000 years ago, the Beaver Pond was an important island in the Champlain Sea. He said there is evidence that there is a significant amount of artefacts in the area, some already removed from the area. Mr. Hulaj has forwarded this study to the City of Ottawa. He also posted a video he shot of a stone circle (apparently, there are more in this area) that might be of archaeological significance.
In addition, he posted a link to a letter sent back in August refuting KNL’s claim there was no need for further archaeological assessment of the Beaver Pond Lands.
It will be interesting to see what the newly elected Ottawa mayor Jim Watson and council will do with this information. For those of us trying to protect the South March Highlands, the land swap agreement and archaeological studies offer some hope. Time will tell…
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I wish you all success in your efforts to save the South March Highlands. When I lived in Ottawa some 16 years ago, I really was impressed by the close proximity of natural wilderness. Looking at a satellite map today, I can see much has disappeared as new housing has been built. That makes prime conservation sites like South March Highlands even more important to the community.
Yes LGS I can only imagine how much the city has changed in the last 16 years. We move here 5 years ago and it has grown significantly. I read this morning KNL has pulled out of the agreement. Will have to read more about that…so much conflicting information. Hey, I didn’t know you lived in Ottawa. Cool.