Dear Councillor,

I live in your ward and I urge you to vote in support of the motion to expropriate the portion of the South March Highlands (SMH) known as the Beaver Pond Forest. I want you to know that how you vote on this will influence who I vote for in the upcoming election. I support the motion for the following reasons:

• The South March Highlands is one of the most biodiverse and ecologically important areas of the city and has long been recognized by the city as worthy of preservation. It is green infrastructure that provides valuable services to this city in helping combat both air pollution and invasive species, improving water quality, controling flooding, and acting as a wildlife refuge for many species, including 19 species at risk.
• The South March Highlands contain Provincially Significant, stone-age, cultural resources that are twice the age of Stonehenge and are considered sacred by the aboriginal people of this area. This enriches and uniquely differentiates our city as a desirable place to live and visit.
• Expropriation is the right thing to do and the only way this city can correct the horrible mistake made by the RMOC when it allowed the area to be included in the Campeau development plans back in the 1980s. Every politician of that day now recognizes that it was a mistake and, given what we know now, would never have allowed it to happen had they known more facts.
• The cost of expropriation is reasonable. KNL's assessed value on the land is less than $55 thousand/acre. Staff is likely to come up with a valuation of $200 thousand/acre or higher, which will certainly be generous and fair to the landowner.
• The funds for expropriation are available. The city currently has a surplus of $31 million in unspent infrastructure funds. I'm tired of seeing my tax dollars being used to support only non-green development projects. Last year the city had over 115 infrastructure development projects and no green infrastructure at all.
• The electorate is increasingly attuned to green issues as a result of climate change, oil spills, soaring energy costs, etc. A survey of Ottawa residents by the NCC as part of their Greenbelt planning study found that Ottawa residents overwhelmingly place a high value on green space and want it expanded.
• Protecting the South March Highlands creates immense value for the city that, properly managed, can be used to attract tourism. No other city in the world has an old-growth forest teaming with species-at-risk and other interesting wildlife, stone-age archaeological sites, ancient vortexes/energy sites, and unique geological features that showcase how the ice age transformed Canada.
• The city may be able to make some money on the deal if the NCC moves to expand the greenbelt in 2-3 years, as land values are likely to appreciate.

Therefore, I ask that you vote FOR Marianne Wilkinson's and Clive Doucet's motion to expropriate the Beaver Pond Forest in the South March Highlands of Kanata.

Sincerely,

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