Comment on Mega-quarry: Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) Registry number 011-2864

Subject: EBR Registry number 011-2864

Application by 3191574 Nova Scotia Company 

Issuance of a Class A licence to remove more than 20,000 tonnes of aggregate annually from a pit or a quarry - ARA s. 7 (2) (a)

 

Dear Mr Laing;

 

I am writing to register my opposition to the application for a Class A licence by 3191574 Nova Scotia Company for a pit or quarry under the Aggregate Resources Act.

 

The proposed mega-quarry is the largest in Ontario’s history, and is unprecedented in its size and magnitude. There will be huge potential impacts on the natural environment, the local agricultural industry and local communities. 

 

The proposed mega-quarry will be located in a sensitive water recharge area, at the headwaters of five major river systems. In addition to the potential downstream impacts of excavating some 200 feet below the water table, the vast majority of residents in the area get their drinking and other water from dug wells, which could be at serious risk from this activity. The proposal anticipates managing and manipulating approximately 600 million litres of water daily. This equates to approximately 25% of all water consumed/used in Ontario each day. 

 

The dewatering process proposed by the applicant raises health and safety concerns.  It anticipates taking pristine water that originates primarily in underground aquifers and allowing it to be exposed to the elements (including blasting chemical residue, particulates and other contaminants) before pumping this standing water back into the aquifer. Pumping is to occur 24 hours a day, 7 days per week in perpetuity.  Such a plan presents significant risks for generations, and should require the province to proceed cautiously and certainly not before additional analysis takes place.

 

The proposed mega-quarry site is located on some of the province’s most fertile class 1 agricultural soils.  The proposal will take 937.1 hectares of prime farmland out of production and will threaten the productivity of surrounding farms. I have concerns about the effectiveness of the proponents rehabilitation plans for the site. As such, a mega-quarry of this size on prime farm land threatens Ontario’s future food security.  

 

A project proposal of this magnitude requires further analysis.  It is premature to grant approval at this time.  Any project of this magnitude is a major commercial or business enterprise or activity and should be subject to a full environmental assessment.  

 

I am opposed to the application, and I believe it should be denied or at the very least subject to a full environmental assessment. 

 

Sincerely yours,

 

 

 

Mike Schreiner

Leader, Green Party of Ontario