NEWS RELEASE
COUCHICHING CONSERVANCY
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Almost 600 acres of critically important wetlands, grasslands, alvar and forest could be permanently protected through an agreement between the Couchiching Conservancy and LCP II Lands Ltd., as compensation for a proposed quarry development near Brechin.
“This could be a huge win for local conservation and for the health of Lake Dalrymple,” said Dorthea Hangaard, executive director of the conservancy.
Known as “habitat offsetting,” the agreement with LCP II Lands Ltd. would donate 598 acres of land on Concession 7 west of Lake Dalrymple, and provide stewardship funding for the Couchiching Conservancy to enhance habitat on site for eastern meadowlark and bobolink, offsetting the loss of nesting habitat caused by the proposed quarry on Highway 12 near Brechin.
A representative for LCP II Lands Ltd. stated that, “We are committed to a net benefit outcome. In donating the land, LCP is going well beyond provincial requirements to ensure this proposed quarry produces a permanent net environmental benefit to the community, while providing an economic benefit as well,” said LCP REP.
The donation of this 598-acre (242-hectare) property ensures this land will never be developed.
Residents around the lake have defended this site from development for years.
The property to be protected contains a mosaic of wetland, grassland, forest and high-quality alvar, a globally rare habitat that is home to a suite of plants uniquely suited to survive in harsh conditions.
LCP Lands is currently going through the provincial process to obtain a licence for a new quarry site between concessions 1 and 2 on Highway 12 near Brechin. As part of the company’s application to the province, LCP is required to compensate for 106 acres of critical habitat that will be displaced as a result of the development. LCP approached the Couchiching Conservancy about providing this habitat offset, and went one step further by offering to permanently donate the land as a nature reserve.
In deciding whether or not to enter into habitat offset agreements with companies, the Couchiching Conservancy follows a set of internal guidelines to maximize environmental benefit. Though it is not required by the province, the permanent protection of environmentally sensitive land is the conservancy’s highest priority in negotiating these agreements.
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