MACA’s discussion paper refers to the carrying capacity of an area. That is the amount of use a lake or a landmass can sustain. It is one of the concepts used for the study recommendations. But how can MACA accept the consultant’s recommendations without any idea of current use without any baseline data to measure the impact the addition of the new lots will have on the area?
A second most alarming issue is the inability of MACA to monitor and control land use in the study area and enforcement of the leases that they will let. The department has neither the manpower nor the equipment to do a job that they will be saddled with. Without that capability, we will quickly return to the squatter situation we now have.
The work to date has been good work. I am not advocating that it be thrown out. What I am proposing is that further work is needed, especially on-the-ground consultation with current users. Without further consultation, this government will overpopulate one small lake and strain it and its environment to the point of no return. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.