History:

The WAG (originally the "W" stood for "Wetlands") Committee was founded in August 2002. Its focus was the preservation and protection of the Silver Creek watershed, especially the provincially significant wetlands at the mouth, from the considerable development pressures that were building up. The BMWTF had "taken up the torch" from the Senior League (now Nature League) in the campaign to save this last remaining coastal wetland on southern Georgian Bay.

Our first task was to prepare and present a Participant Witness Statement at the October 2002 Ontario Municipal Board Hearing in which the landowner challenged the Town of Collingwood's Interim Control By-law. The ICBL was enacted at the suggestion of the BMWTF to protect the wetlands until the new Official Plan was approved. The Town's By-law was upheld by the OMB.

Thanks to the hard work of the founding members and the addition of many dedicated new members, the WAG Committee's role has expanded to include the other significant threat to the Silver Creek watershed, Castle Glen. This meant participating in two more OMB hearings. We are also a Participant in the second Silver Creek OMB hearing which has been ongoing for over three years. The landowner is objecting to the Town's new Official Plan.

WAG Committee members have also been involved in stakeholder advisory sessions reforming the Planning Act and the OMB, as well as the Province of Ontario's "Places to Grow" initiative. We have also commented on and supported Ontario's Clean Water Act, 2006.

With the disbanding of the Land Acquisition Committee, WAG will assume this responsibility, working with partners with broad experience in this area, such as the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy.

Purpose:

To ensure that the wetlands and other natural heritage features of the BMWTF area of interest are protected from inappropriate development.

To recommend to the BMWTF Board actions that achieves this purpose.

Assist in fundraising as necessary to provide money to undertake projects that will further the process to achieve this purpose.


Responsibilities:

• " Work co-operatively with local, provincial and federal governments and Conservation Authorities and other public bodies to raise awareness of the issues and to implement solutions.
  
• " Raise awareness of the public, working with and providing input to the Membership/Communication/Publication Committee.
  
• " Fund-raising events through the striking of sub-committees, i.e. the 'SOS - Save Our Silver Creek Wetlands Dinner Committee'.
  
• " Become involved in "rubber boot" projects by providing volunteers to plant trees, do stream bank rehabilitation, etc. in co-operation with CA's and local environmental groups.