SAVE OUR WETLANDS - GOSPORT, ONTARIO

Team fundraiser

Kevin Eves and Jake DeGroot are organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Please allow us to introduce ourselves; we are Jake DeGroot and Kevin Eves, co-chairs of the Gosport Residents Association.

Our small community is located on the north shore of Presqu'ile Bay in the Municipality of Brighton, Ontario. We have Provincially Significant Wetlands to the north and east and beautiful Presqu'ile Bay to the south and west. Adjacent to these wetlands, Indigenous artifacts were discovered and determined to be of cultural heritage value and interest.

JRB Williams Enterprises Inc., located in Belleville, Ontario has proposed to develop multi-story condominiums adjacent to the Provincially Significant Wetlands.

We are opposed!

At a statutory public meeting, held on January 16, 2023 at the Brighton Community Centre, over 200 community members voiced their concerns in overwhelming opposition to the endangerment of wildlife habitat, the Provincially Significant Wetlands, and the excavation and desecration of the potential Indigenous Heritage Site.

The Environmental Impact Study, Geotechnical Investigation Report, and Archaeological Assessment conducted, clearly identified culturally significant Indigenous artifacts dating back to 600 AD and identified 5 wildlife species listed by the Ontario Government as threatened or endangered and "on the verge of imminent extinction or extirpation". Additionally, the wetlands are the habitat and food source for several birds, mammals, fish and fauna species.

With the submission of their application, it appears that the developer has inaccurately deemed these artifacts as irrelevant and insists on proceeding to excavate and desecrate the site. Further, they have no apparent concern for the impact of their construction on the fish, wildlife, and fauna that resides on and adjacent to the wetlands and the surrounding bay.

This development proposal is expected to be taken before the Ontario Land Tribunal. The funds raised by this GoFundMe will be used by the Gosport Residents Association to retain the appropriate legal, planning, and professional consultants necessary to defend and preserve this precious wetland and cultural heritage site.

We appreciate and thank you for your support to protect this valuable wetland, defend all of the harmless little creatures that reside on this site, and help to preserve the Indigenous cultural artifacts.

Our environment and Mother Nature are counting on you. Let's not let them down!