The Oak Ridges Moraine Ten Years Later: Is It Really Protected?

Sep 14th, 2011 9:08 AM

Media Advisory What: Breakfast Forum - The Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation (ORMF) will release Measuring Success on the Oak Ridges Moraine and explain why it will file an Application for Review under Section 61 of the Ontario Environmental Bill of Rights. Who: David Miller (Former Mayor, City of Toronto), Kim Gavine (Executive Director, Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation), Debbe Crandall (Executive Director, Save the Oak Ridges Moraine Coalition), and Fred Johnson (Consultant, Enviroscape Consulting) Where: Ground Floor, Centre for Social Innovation, Suite 120, 215 Spadina Ave., Toronto When: Wednesday, Sept. 15th, 8:00am - 9:00am The Measuring Success on the Oak Ridges Moraine is the result of two years of research and consultation. The eight-volume study documents the status of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan - successes, shortcomings, what's working, what isn't - and provides the government and other stakeholders with recommended actions and the data needed to plot a course that ensures its successful implementation and realization. Former Toronto Mayor Mr. Miller's attendance is fitting given the important role the City of Toronto played in advocating the province to protect the Moraine - the City's headwaters - 10 years ago when the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan was passed. The Measuring Success report's findings have prompted ORMF to submit an Application for Review under Section 61 of the Environmental Bill of Rights to the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. The findings clearly indicate that the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan needs immediate review, and cannot wait until the currently scheduled 2015 review! Although there have been many successes, gaps and deficiencies are showing in the decade-old ORM legislation, and threats to the Moraine's ecological and hydrological integrity are on-going.
-30-
For more information, contact: Kim Gavine, Executive Director, at kim.gavine@ormf.com or 905-833-5733. The Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation (ORMF) is a non-profit organization mandated to preserve, protect and restore the ecological and hydrological health of the Oak Ridges Moraine (Moraine). Although the ORMF's granting role is currently suspended, we still have a pivotal role to play if the Moraine is to remain protected in the future. The ORMF has developed the expertise and network necessary to achieve the task at hand and has requested continued funding from the Province. Since 2002, the ORMF has allocated more than $14.1 million and leveraged more than $35.8 million to 177 projects in support of stewardship, education, research, trail and land securement projects. With further investment by the Province, the ORMF can build on its success by addressing the challenges with renewed vigour, in order that the Moraine's value to Ontarians remains secure.