<html> <div align="center"> Green On. The Online Newsletter of the Conservation Council of Ontario </div> (Note:  If your computer has trouble with the formatting of the newsletter, send a note to cco@web.ca and we will put you on the list for the unformatted version) For the complete online version, go to:  <a href="http://www.greenontario.org/news/0203.html" eudora="autourl">http://www.greenontario.org/news/0203.</a><a href="http://www.greenontario.org/news/0203.html" eudora="autourl">html </a>  Editor's Note Welcome to another issue of Green On. News, our periodic update of what's happening in the Ontario environmental scene and the new resources and links you'll find on the GreenOntario.org website.  Much of our focus in this issue, as in past months, is on "Smart Growth".  There's a good reason for this: urban development is one of the key drivers of a healthy Ontario, linking environmental, economic, and public health.  Bad development means less farmland and greenspace, more air pollution, increased dependency on fossil fuels, an inefficient economy, and dysfunctional communities.  In contrast, good development will create the infrastructure for an efficient economy, livable cities, and a healthy environment.  Over the upcoming months, there will be many opportunities at both the local and provincial level to participate in shaping the direction of Ontario's urban and regional development.  We hope you'll join us in our efforts to make "smart growth" a reality! Chris Winter, Executive Director Conservation Council of Ontario In This Issue.... Smart Growth:  A new approach with the same old problems Smart Growth initiatives continue to dominate our news.  The government is moving ahead with regional panels, transportation studies, the Oak Ridges Moraine Act, and the Provincial Policy Statement review.  But, oh dear, the old problems remain.  The Province's environmental vision is still weak, environmental values are missing from transportation plans, there's talk of development on the moraine, and the monitoring of at least one vital statistic -- the loss of prime farmland -- is nonexistent. Two Regional Smart Growth Panels Announced Two environmentalists are appointed to the 19 member GTA panel.  No environmentalists are on the Northwestern panel, which will have creating jobs and more opportunities for youth as its top priorities. More Trouble on the Moraine The Toronto Star reports on rumours of a deal in the making that will allow for development on parts of the Oak Ridges Moraine. Five Year Review of the Provincial Policy Statement still underway. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is collating the 250 comments it received on the Provincial Planning Statement.  A report is expected in the near future. Ministry of Municipal Affairs has no data on the loss of prime agricultural land Minister Hodgson replies to our request for data on trends in the development of prime farmland, saying that the Ministry is developing performance indicators, and therefore is unable to provide us with the information we requested. Ministry of Transportation forgets to include its Environmental Values in its long range plans As part of its commitment to Smart Growth, the Ministry of Transportation is preparing four regional long range strategic plans.  Unfortunately, the environmental goals contained in their discussion papers failed to reference the extensive commitments of the Ministry's Statement of Environmental Values.  Instead, the stated objective  of "environmental quality" is defined by the Smart Growth principles of "promoting transportation choices", "moving people and goods efficiently", "reducing gridlock", and "developing integrated transportation networks".    New Action on Hazardous Waste The Ministry of the Environment is proposing new regulations to phase out hospital incinerators, destroy all PCBs currently in storage, and set new standards for handling and treating hazardous waste.  Comments can be submitted to the Ministry by March 18. Select Committee on Alternative Fuel Sources wraps up hearings Watch for a final report from the legislative committee looking into alternative fuels.  In the meantime, our Green Energy factsheet provides links to the CCO submission and to a couple of others that looked at a strategic approach to promoting green energy in Ontario. Upcoming Events Partnering for Sustainability The CCO is pleased to co-sponsor Partnering for Sustainability, a conference investigating the role of  partnerships in achieving environmental goals.  The Conference runs April 8 and 9, and you can find details by clicking on the link in the newsletter. New Additions to the Green Ontario Website In addition to a new front page design, a detailed site map, and a completely redesigned section for the Conservation Council, here's what else you'll find on the Green Ontario website... New  Factsheets      Organic Food      Agriculture and the Environment      First Nations and the Environment New Publications Two of our Community Action guide books are now available as a free PDF download.      Community Action for the Environment -- our community organizer's guide      Toxic Free -- how to organize a toxic free campaign Annual Appeal We all know that the value of a healthy environment is beyond measure.  But how much is it worth to you to have a united, and coordinated effort in support of a healthy environment? Help keep Green Ontario and the Conservation Council of Ontario running!  Your donations will help us keep the website up to date, continue our monitoring activities and research related to Ontario's environmental strategies, and develop partnerships to promote new ideas and build public support for a healthy environment. Tax receipts will be issued for donations over $10.00. Individual donations of $100 or more and corporate donations of $500 or more will be acknowledged on our Green Ontario Sponsors page. Please see <a href="http://www.greenontario.org/cco/donations.html" eudora="autourl">http://www.greenontario.org/cco/donations.</a><a href="http://www.greenontario.org/cco/donations.html" eudora="autourl">html</a> for more details. <div>******************************************************************</div> <div>The Conservation Council of Ontario</div> <div><a href="http://www.greenontario.org/" EUDORA=AUTOURL>http://www.greenontario.org</a> </div> <div>Ph: (416) 533-1635</div> ********************************* </html>