Save Ojibway asks ERCA for help

By Ashley Ann Mentley

Local groups protesting commercial development in the Ojibway Prairie area are reaching out to the Essex Region Conservation Authority for help.

Nancy Panchesan, a LaSalle woman who has been advocating to protect Ojibway for more than eight years, made a presentation at the ERCA board meeting Feb. 11.  She is requesting that ERCA step in and, through appropriate testing and procedures, stop any proposed building.

“If the tests are not met the authority could prohibit the development because of pollution or because the conservation of lands may be affected,” Panchesan said.

Panchesan is requesting that ERCA defer to section 28 1C of the Conservation Authorities Act which would allow ERCA to prohibit any development if after testing they determine the lands would be negatively affected.

But the ERCA board said since there is no official development application submitted for the property, it is too early for them to get involved.

ERCA board member Tim Byrne pointed out they currently have a planning proposal in front of them, which was provided through the City of Windsor back in 2004.

“When the development application comes, ERCA will get involved,” said chair Ed Sleiman. “We’ll apply all the tests within our power.”

The Ojibway Prairie area was approved for commercial re-zoning in December 2015.  It is home to eight endangered species and 13 species at risk.  According to Panchesan’s presentation, any development within 120 metres of the wetlands will affect its ecological function.

Despite having no immediate action taken as a result of the meeting, Panchesan said she is confident ERCA is on her side and she viewed the meeting as an educational opportunity.

“In the end, ERCA could be the white knight that protects Ojibway,” she said.