The Friends of the Eramosa Karst (FOTEK) received good news recently – their years of hard work to ensure the conservation area’s permanent protection has passed a major hurdle.

On March 16, the provincial government announced they will not appeal the City if Hamilton’s decision to designate a crucial piece of land next to the Karst as ‘natural heritage’ in its Official Plan, thereby protecting it from development.  Negotiations are now underway to ensure the land is used properly.

In tackling this monumental task, FOTEK brought together elected officials and families from the Stoney Creek and surrounding communities.

I am proud to have worked with them, as a local MPP, in the fight to protect the Eramosa Karst for about four years.

And I was pleased to work with NDP MPP for Hamilton East – Stoney Creek, Paul Miller, in introducing a joint Private Member’s Bill last year that called for the Karst’s permanent protection.

But let’s take a step back.  For those who haven’t yet visited the Eramosa Karst, it is a rare and awe-inspiring geological preserve right in our own backyard in Stoney Creek.

Today, it serves as a beautiful recreation area for local families, is home to a number of plant and animal species, and remains a tremendous source of knowledge and learning about Ontario’s geological history for students from elementary through post-secondary school.

In 2003, the Eramosa Karst became a protected Area of Natural and Scientific Interest thanks to the leadership of the previous Ontario PC Government and former Stoney Creek MPP, and current Hamilton City Councillor, Brad Clark.

And while the Eramosa Karst has since been designated a full conservation area, it was nonetheless threatened by the potential development of the property that lies next to it, thanks to the McGuinty government.

This property contains surface streams that feed into the conservation area and are essential to maintaining the form and function of the Karst.  Development of these ‘feeder lands’ threaten to permanently damage the Karst, which would then be lost to future generations.

And so, for the last several years, FOTEK has led the charge in bringing families, conservationists and elected officials together to rally for its preservation.

The pressure that was put on the government to change its development plan – through the media, through community organization, and through Mr. Miller’s and my efforts on this issue from the floor of the Ontario Legislature  – has put this rare natural treasure one giant leap closer to being permanently protected for generations to come.

It’s a testament to what a community can accomplish when it bands together.  I want to congratulate FOTEK and all of those involved for their hard work in preserving the Eramosa Karst.