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Waterioo Region leads in ESL protection Mure than 700 residents and landowners locally have recently received detailed information pack ages about two Environ mentally Sensitive Land scapes (ESLs) being pro posed by the Region of Waterioo. This ESL concept recog nizes and protects clusters of interconnected natural ecosystems such as sensi tive wetlands. forests. and water ways. These ESL designations are the first of their kind and Waterloo Region is leading once again by recognizing the importance of broader landscapes and wildlife corâ€" In the 1970s. Waterloo Region became the one of the first in Canada to create and recognize the concept of Environmentally Sensiâ€" uve Protected Areas (ESPAs) This designation was applied to >adividual woodâ€" lots, wetlands. swamps and natural areas in the townâ€" ships and the cities and as a result many significant enviâ€" ronmentally sensitive areas across the region have been protected over the past three decades. The region‘s ESPA conâ€" cept has served as a model that has been widely adoptâ€" ed across Canada to protect individual natural areas. However. nature does not work simply in small isolated pockets and the new ESL concept recognizes the broader context of interâ€" connected natural areas. In several parts of the region several smaller ESPA areas are actually functionâ€" ing together in an integrated Nature doesn‘t know artiâ€" ficial boundaries and the ESL concept looks at this from a landscape and watershed perspective and protects these connections and interactions by knitting individual ESPA areas together in a larger context. Located in the notthwest of the region. the proposed Laurel Creek Headwaters ESL recognizes and links seven important ESPA areas on the Waterloo Moraine. This ESL designates a tract encompassing porâ€" uons of the City of Waterloo, Wilmot Township. Wellesley Township and Woolwich Township. In the southwest of the region, the proposed Blairâ€" Bechtelâ€"Cruickston ESL recâ€" ognizes unique lands in Cambridge. and into Notth Dumfries Township at the juncture of the Grand River and the Speed River They are home to a wide variety of wildlife. birds. amphibians. rare plants and even endangered species This amazing area is home to bald eagles, deer and many rare species yet sits almost with the city limâ€" its of both Kitchener and Cambndge These two ESE s are enviâ€" ronmental jewels in the Many people through By Kevin Thostason For The Chronile Waterloo Region are familiar with these natural areas from â€" the â€"recreational opportunities they provide such as hiking, jogging and crossâ€"country skiing. The application of the ESL desigâ€" nation will help to ensure their protection from develâ€" opment and allow enjoy ment for generations to come As Waterloo Region takes this leadership role in proâ€" tection. once again organiâ€" zations and municipalities across Canada are taking note. "We are very excited about the work Waterloo Region is doing. Their ESL efforts are critical and visionary â€" we need to replicate this across all of Ontario," comments Steve Hounsell, president of Ontario Nature which repreâ€" sents 140 organizations and over 25.000 members in the province. While some lands within these ESL designations have been the target of developâ€" ers. significant public conâ€" cern. the recognition of the spectacular flora and fauna, and the importance of these lands for water recharge areas for drinking water has helped to prevent developâ€" ment toâ€"date and lead to these ESL designations. Fven smallâ€"scale develâ€" opments can threaten ESPA areas and fracture the natâ€" ural connections between them. un1 L Pss 1 © 2005 BMW Canadta inc. "BAMW". e BMW ingo andt "The | Aimate Orving Expenence" are reqistered frademarks "Lmase rates are those affered byBMWF imancial Serâ€"aces only on approwed credit Example MSRP fne a 2004 BMW 125 Emeutive Edion :s $43.100 00 and tor 2 175% «s $46 .A00: at a lease rate of 3.5% and a trem of 19 months. the monthiy larse nayment < $395.00 and $450.00 for the 325 and 325 respectively $3.950 down cayment is mawted The first month s laase nayment. a sacunty decost 5# appronmately one month‘s ease payment. tansport and praparation ($1,595 00. a personal pmgerty Secunty reqistration charge (un t $90) Retaiec admevststhon charges (fany! and all fames. are avtra and rrauired upan leasa signing: Tata‘ obhigahon is $20.980.00 and $23.095 00 respectwely plus tan. Opthons. tares. and insurance are extra The reaidual value afthe vetvcle at and afterm is $26.727 00 and $28.548. Annual wilemeatres hmitert to 20.D0 $0 5 per emess lnlometre Exmcmes amar and thar charges may 200 Deivery must he aken by June 102005 Offer subject io avastabsity and may he canceiied n« changed aithoit aotice Sme BX Mators fnr ht detais No new residential devel $3,950 Down Payment 339 5 3.5% Lease Rate Special Buy: Per Month Limitedâ€"Time Offer Bâ€"K Motors introduces the 2005 BMW 3251 Executive Edition. 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"The population of our region alone is expected to grow by over 250,000 people over the next 20 to 30 years. "It will be essential that our natural and rural areas get the protection they need, that new growth and development is guided to the appropriate areas, and that we ensure the integrity of our groundwater. These ESLs are outstanding. Once again, Waterloo Region is leading with this ESL conâ€" cept and is trying to ensure a balanced approach to the future or our region." To learn more, the region will be holding open houses as follows: tonight at St. Clements Community Cenâ€" ter, 1 Green StL. Sr Clements. from 4â€"8 p.m., and Thursday at the North Dumfries township offices, 1171 Greenfield Rd., from 4â€" 8 p.m. WATERLOO CHRONICLE Kevin Thomason is presiâ€" dent of the Sunfish Lake Association and an area resident for over 15 years. Come home to us every By loading our 325« sedan with the most popular features, we‘ve taken the best car in the world and made it ever better. 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