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"M'inistry looks to buy up local privately-owned lands in parks By LISA CARTWRIGHT The Champion When the Natural Areas Protection Program (NAPP) cornes to an end in 2002, the Ministry of Natural Resources hopes to have about 2,000 acres of land secured. The lands inciude parceis aiong the Niagara Eacarpment as seeli as the Rouge Valley in Toronto and the Lynde Marsh in Whitby. The lands don't include the 440 km of land the Bruce Trail Asaociation (BTA) is trying to secure, said Neil Hester, Niagara Escarpment coordinator for the Mînistry of Natural Resources. "It ia intended to buy lands to compiete the Niagara Escarpment'a parka and open space ayatem," he said. In total there are 115 parka along the Niagara Esearpment. 0f those. about 55 are incomplete. Incomplete lands are those that don't beiong to the park ayatem and are.often in the banda of the landosener. According to Bob Edmondoon, director of corporate support ser- vices for Conservation Haiton, there are about 2,200 acres left to purchase in Halton, Milton lands include parts of Kelso, Rattieanake Point, Crawford Lake and Hilton Falis conservation areas. NAPP is a four-year initiative that began in 1998. On May 1l, the provincial *gov- emment announcrd that 22 projecta wouid be compleird in the follose- ing several montha. The projecta seul improve the recreational value of lands that were acquired, aaid Dave Ayotte, spokesperson for. the Ontario gov- emment. In Milton, Rattlesnake Point received interpretive signa for rock ciimbing. Province provides funds By the end of the program, the provincial govemment seili have given Use miniatry $20 million for the program - $5 million each year. Mr. Heater said the ministry givea the funda to conservation authorities anid groups auch as the lITA. The difference between NAPP and its predecesoor - the Niagara Eacarpment Land Acquisition and Steseardshîp Program - is Usat the latter program oniy boughl lands along the Niagara Escarpment and it paid 100 per cent of the coat. The program, sehich lastrd for about 15 years and cost the Province about $25 million, pur- chased 8,773 acrea of land. In Halton, about 1,400 serra were acquired on 20 properties, Mr. Hester said. With the new program, organiza- tiona now having to pa St ieast 50 per cent of the cost of purchasing lands. Organizations can aiso use donated lands as leverage, Mr. Edmondson said. Organizations that corne up with their share of the money are more likely to get what they want, Mr. Hester said. "We have eight conservation authorities, the Bruce Trail Association and Ontario parks. They ail want rooney. Theres flot enough money to go around." And by coming up with addition- ai funds, more lands can bc bought. "The money is provided on an annuai basis. "It would stretch the rooney in any given year," Mr. Hester said, adding that it wouidn't extend the life of the prograin. "Regardiesa, it is stiii ending in four years." Mr. Hester said he doean't know what the govemment wiii do after NAPP cornes to an end in March, 2002. ."If we demonstrate that park agencies are able to get contribu- tions front other sources, it might encourage the Province to give more money." The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, JuIy 25, 2000-ý5 Got a hot scoop? Cati us wîth your story ideas on weekdays, or leave a message aftor hours. Phone 8 78-234 1, ext. 234. jW Rat TO.lmt 18225 Main St. E., (905) 876-391 Suite #3, Milton Publishing the 3rd Tuesday of every month, Milton's Champion Kids are invited to join our club for children of ail ages. Memberships are f ree and include special discounts at participating stores. Watch for a membership registration form on the Champion Kids page in Tuesday's edition. Champion Kids wiII be published monthly featuring gamnes and activities for great prizes. lo, Up to48 months, purchfa se à financing on most 2000 models. - - -----------------------Low Lese Rates Ais. Available O..See sales rep for detatia sI SALES H4OURS SERVICE HOUAS Mon.-Thora . ...iv-p Mon,-Fn ......Hot-M % EVROLETGOLDSM GDILE Fniday ... ...8un4ep< Tues.......S ney ..a....a . 81111>6M Saturday . HWY. 25 S. AT DERRY RD., MILTO 1