Stop the Mega-Quarry
Melancthon Mega-Quarry
Proposed by The Highland Companies
CALL TO
ACTION –
Today, Friday (
Hearing
Schedule
Monday, May
Wednesday, May
Monday, May 14 2pm-6pm Public
Wednesday, May 16
*Schedule is subject to change.
Check www.ontla.on.ca (specifically
May
7 and May
9)
The Aggregate
Resources Act (ARA) is based on 40-year old legislation and does not
reflect today's values. The ARA allows
pits/quarries to be dug anywhere (including environmentally protected land); it
bypasses the environmental assessment process; it does not require that proof
of need of the aggregate be established; it requires that pits/quarries be dug
"close to market" which undermines recycling efforts; it does not
take farmland, source water or people's health protection into account. Clearly such a complicated and far-reaching
piece of legislation requires time to review, comprehensive input from
potentially impacted communities and serious consideration by the
Government. Rushing the review does not
benefit Canadians.
It is imperative that we make a lot of noise about the inconsideration
and disregard being displayed by the Ontario Government in establishing this
rushed schedule. The hearings are being
held in
In addition, request an opportunity to speak before the Committee. It would be great if there was such a
groundswell of interest in the hearings that the Committee would be forced to
extend its schedule. You can simply go
and read your list of concerns.
To request Committee hearing time and/or send an e-mail outlining
your concerns contact:
- Sylwia Przezdziecki
/ sylwia_przezdziecki@ontla.ola.org
/ 416-325-3515, and
- Tamara Pomanski / tamara_pomanski@ontla.ola.org /
416-325-3515
Finally, voice your disapproval of the discourtesy
shown Taxpayers by the Ontario Government to Dalton McGuinty
/ dmcguinty@premier.gov.on.ca.
It
is Time to Voice Your Opinion!
What gets decided here will affect every
SUGGESTED
LETTER/e-
I am an
1. Make conservation of
aggregate, a non-renewable resource, a priority over approval of new extraction
sites. Conservation can occur through
aggregate recycling and use of alternative materials.
2. Reserve virgin aggregate, a
non-renewable resource, for use within
3. Prohibit aggregate extraction below the water table without a full
Environmental Assessment and full understanding of the impact on all areas,
near and far.
4. Prohibit aggregate extraction below the water table in drinking water
source areas.
5. Develop a process and
guidelines for identifying and designating new Specialty Crop Areas to
safeguard unique agricultural land resources.
Prohibit aggregate extraction in Specialty Crop Areas.
6. Conduct a thorough study of all existing aggregate reserves in
7. Develop an “Aggregate Master Plan” and disallow new aggregate mining
licenses within the Niagara Escarpment Plan Area, Oak Ridges Moraine and Green
Belt until the “Aggregate Master Plan” has been approved by the province.
8. Provide an assessment of the
cumulative affects (dust, noise, air quality, traffic emissions; effects on
water) of the “Aggregate Master Plan” on
9. Require that new quarry
proposals demonstrate the need for additional aggregate resource extraction in
meeting the demands of the
10. Mandate that an Environmental
Assessment occur for all new or expanding aggregate operations.
11. Realign the cost of virgin
aggregate to reflect reality.
Economically, aggregate is a low-priced, heavy-weight commodity that
takes the bulk of its cost from transportation.
Today, however, the price of virgin aggregate must include the activism
necessary by residents to fight for their best interest despite the elected and
public institutions designed to represent and protect the public interest. As well, the cost must encompass the
environmental cost on residents. In
other words the market cost for virgin aggregate is unrealistically cheap.
Create a management system that works for residents and price the product
accordingly.
12. Address what will happen to
the operators of small aggregate resources if a mega-quarry becomes the
sanctioned approach. What will small
operators do when they are subjected to the monopolistic power of the
goliath-like mega-quarry?
Until such time as the above noted issues are sufficiently addressed, I
do not consider the
Sincerely,
“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good
men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke
Call
to Action Campaign History
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Can I Do to Stop the Quarry?
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