Niagara Region’s proposed extension of Merritt Road will impact Provincially Significant Wetlands (PSW) and woodlands in its path, a Pelham environmental advocacy group says. And to bring attention to its concerns, Pelham Advocates for Trees and Habitat (PATH) will host an open meeting on May 23 at the Meridian Community Centre (Acursi Room) at 7 p.m.
“We have alternatives to save the PSW, which the Region has constantly ignored,” the group said in a news release.
The extension of Merritt Road will handle traffic between Pelham, Thorold and Welland once completed.
An environmental assessment completed by WSP Canada Inc. in March on behalf of the Region concluded that improvements to Merritt and Rice roads, including the extension of Merritt from Rice to Cataract Road, was the best solution to meet future traffic needs.
PATH has opposed the project since it was first announced by Niagara Region in 2019 and maintains that other, existing roads can be improved without impacting the wetlands.
“Many individuals and groups opposed the Region at the first public hearing, and many felt we needed to be listened to,” said PATH President Mike Jones.
Four panelists will be featured at the meeting, including Lauren Vanderlingen, Six Nations of the Grand River Elected Council (Wildlife and Stewardship Technician, Land and Resources), Liz Benneian, Biodiversity and Climate Action Niagara, Anne Yagi, president of 8 Trees (40 years as a professional biologist with 35 years of service for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry) and Graham Pett, treasurer and chair of PATH’s Singer Drain Committee.
Jones said PATH was excited to have Vanderlingen on board.
“We’re extremely happy for them to want to work with us,” Jones said, adding that invitations to attend the meeting have been sent to all members of Regional Council.
“We want to be quite open about it,” Jones said.
PATH currently has a petition on change.org that calls on the Region to not go ahead with the project and to look at other alternatives.
The open meeting is being held prior to PATH’s annual general meeting. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact PATH at [email protected]
