COMMUNITY VOICES OF FORT ERIE: NEWS RELEASE
IT’S TIME TO PUT AN ECONOMIC VALUE ON NATURE
Community concerns and issues surrounding the Proposed Harbourtown Development; the last woodlands in Fort Erie along Lake Erie shoreline.
2/26/2018
Fort Erie, ON - Citizens in Fort Erie and visitors from around the world have many concerns about the proposed Harbourtown Development, and have expressed their views to the members of Town Council, at two Open Houses, at the Town Council meeting on Feb 5th, on the Town of Fort Erie’s blog page and to our newly formed group, Community Voices of Fort Erie [https://sites.google.com/view/communityvoicesfe/home]. It seems that many concerns and issues have yet to be addressed either in part or entirely.
What exactly will be lost if this development proceeds as planned? According to the Fort Erie Waterfront Strategy this is the last woodlands on Lake Erie in the Fort Erie area. Most of the other sites are end-of-the road allowances. Once the development occurs, this area cannot be replaced or replicated.
We urge Town Councillors to request further studies of this development plan before it is too late. We can not imagine a more inappropriate development plan for Fort Erie at this location.
Below are more details on the two most commonly expressed concerns amongst community members of Fort Erie [for more information on this and other concerns please see https://sites.google.com/view/communityvoicesfe/home]:
1. Environment This area is a high quality migratory bird spring stop-over area, one of the few remaining locations in Niagara.
In fact, according to the landmark publication from the Buffalo Ornithological Society written by Beardslee and Mitchell in 1965 “It is probable that this is now the first area for cover and variety of habitats in this vicinity; vegetation ranges from weedy fields to large trees and provides an attraction to migrant land birds.”
The loss of mixed habitat will have a detrimental effect on hundreds of birds each year including some endangered, threatened and species of special concern, including the Red-headed Woodpecker, Wood Thrush and Eastern Wood-Pewee all have different requirements to nest successfully. Last year Red-headed Woodpeckers were only listed on 10 sites in Niagara. No mitigation for this problem has been discussed. Further scientific studies are required.
The biggest concern is the placement of a ten story condo in the middle of the migratory stop-over area. Not only will the building of the condo destroy these valuable foraging habitats but many birds will be killed during the night when they descend from their high-altitude migration and collide with this building. They will also be killed during normal feeding behaviours when they collide with windows.
A quote from the developers EIS (Environmental Impact Assessment), under cumulative effects states “the construction of a high-density apartment building has the potential to significantly increase mortality due to collisions, which may reduce migratory populations over time.”
No mitigation efforts have been discussed. The mitigation for migrating birds is different than for breeding or resident birds which collide with windows because they see a reflected woodlands or grasslands. The mitigation for this problem has been discussed but not formally included in the proposal as of yet. Further scientific studies are required.
2. Culture and History There is concern over the unique ruins from the old Erie Beach Amusement Park, which are still visible in the woods.
The Archaeological Assessment identified a Pre-Contact Site (native) and a Post-Contact Site named “Erie Beach Park Site”. The Assessment stated that both sites “are contained within the Protected Lands”. But the diagram of the Park Site included in the Assessment contradicted this statement. It clearly showed that the Park Site is not contained within the protected zone.
It is evident on walking through the woods, that there are remnants of structures within the development area, and these will be destroyed. There are others near the development area which may be damaged by construction. T
The remnants of the old Amusement Park (which is featured on the plaques installed on the promenade by the Town) are important and culturally significant to all the people in the area who have visited them.
It is disconcerting that the Archaeological Assessment, while identifying the Erie Beach Park Site as a “Post-Contact Site”, has failed to note, identify or discuss in any way, these remnants.
We need to put an economic value on our natural areas and work to preserve them. The intensive development proposed for Harbourtown Village will change this unique lakefront property forever, with its inevitable impact on wildlife and, indeed, the character of our town.
Please voice your opinions to the Fort Erie Town Council and show up for the council meeting on March 5th at 6 pm when town staff will present their recommendations to Fort Erie Town Council.
More information about the development can be found here:
COMMUNITY VOICES OF FORT ERIE
Contact: Marcie Jacklin, Spokesperson for Community Voices of Fort Erie
Email: mjacklin19@gmail.com