In Defence Of Wetlands

By Brigitte Bonner

The loss of the Fort Erie Slot facilities is a very unfortunate and upsetting event.  But, grouping this recent decision by the Ontario Government with the designation of wetlands, as was evidenced on a sign in front of Fort Erie Town Hall several weeks ago, is a definite mistake. 

The designation of Provincially Significant Wetlands (PSWs) is not an arbitrary decision that the government has made in the same way as the decision to close the slots facility.  Wetlands are important ecological areas that are not only essential for wildlife, but also for us—human beings.  The fact that the wetlands have been designated as “Provincially Significant” means that they provide essential ecological benefits to sustain life.  Yes, it is frustrating that many of the wetlands are in areas close to the major traffic routes which are ideal for industrial growth.  But unfortunately these lands cannot be destroyed and built upon without devastating effects.

We need to think about this issue rationally.  Fort Erie is a waterfront community, surrounded by water on two sides – Lake Erie and the Niagara River.  It only stands to reason that we would have significant wetland areas in our community that are essential to the sustenance of life.  These lands cannot be built upon without serious and perhaps deadly consequences to our community. 

Wetlands have many essential functions, one of them being the control of flooding by providing an area to absorb extra water.  Many communities around the world are suffering consequences because they have drained and built on their wetlands.  When water levels rise, millions of dollars worth of infrastructure is washed away and destroyed because floodwaters have nowhere else to go.  On top of this lives are lost.  Do we really want to jeopardize our waterfront community and the safety of our residents, especially when we know that global warming is occurring and water levels around the globe are on the rise?

Controlling flooding is only one of the many benefits we reap from wetlands.  They also filter the water we drink, removing harmful elements.  As we know, raw sewage is routinely deposited into our lakes when conditions make this necessary.  Destroying the water purifying wetlands will only make our risk of disease from contaminated water even higher.  Is this another risk that we should be taking?

The fresh water of the Great Lakes is not only important to the surrounding communities such as ours, but they are also globally significant.  Water is essential to all life and fresh drinking water is becoming more important as worldwide populations grow.  Are we really wise to risk damaging such a vital global resource, one that we cannot live without?

In addition to the benefits wetlands provide to humans, we must also respect the importance they have to wildlife.  These are often the richest areas of biodiversity and contain many species which may be eradicated if the wetlands are destroyed.  We have an obligation to respect fellow life forms. Our destructive and selfish nature is no longer sustainable.  We must live in harmony with other creatures who share this planet no matter how small and insignificant they may seem to some.

Recently, the Town of Fort Erie took part in a co-operative arrangement between its drainage department, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and several other partners including the Friends of Fort Erie Creeks and private land owners.  The purpose of the project was to see if drainage work could be done in Beaver Creek without harming the Grass Pickerel, a species of fish that lives in Beaver Creek and is currently at risk.  The project was successful in allowing the necessary drainage work to be done while at the same time protecting the Pickerel.  Co-operative projects such as these provide a win-win situation and must become the norm.

In the case of Fort Erie’s wetlands, we must look at alternative areas for industrial and economic growth rather than destroying these rich ecosystems.  There are several brown field areas that housed former factories sitting empty and desolate.  These locations would be ideal for growth and have the added benefit of being cleaned of harmful toxins in the process. 

The lands which house the former Welcome Center and the many acres adjoined to it would also be ideal, as they sit directly beside the Queen Elizabeth Highway and are a stone’s throw from the U.S. border.  And, if the racetrack does eventually close, why not use these lands and promote them as Fort Erie’s industrial zone?  The location is ideal and the lands have already been cleared and serviced. Does it not make more sense to re-use defunct areas, rather than to destroy lush habitats of PSWs while leaving the other areas sitting empty?

In our eagerness to stimulate the economy we often forget that we humans cannot exist without a healthy environment. 

These are difficult times for everyone.  My family has not been immune.  But, times will be much more difficult for our children and grandchildren if we do not make some wise choices now.  Provincially Significant Wetlands need to remain protected and untouched.

Brigitte Bonner is a resident of Fort Erie, Ontario, a retired teacher and former member of the Fort Erie Tree Bylaw Committee, Fort Erie Friendship Trail Committee, Fort Erie Environmental Advisory Committee and Bert Miller Nature Club. She is currently a member of the Fort Erie Conservation Club.

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