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At a meeting Aug. 14, at the Udney Community Centre, representatives of LCP Quarry were available with maps and diagrams to explain the engineering and planning details of the proposed new quarry in Ramara — 151 hectares between concessions 1 and 2 from Highway 12 almost to Ramara Road 47.
The quarry has an application to Ramara pending to have this land rezoned from agricultural and rural to aggregate mining. There are many reasons to oppose this change.
The Ontario auditor general’s recent report, Money for Value, questioned the need for additional aggregate mining as there is a 10-year supply in reserve, and noted that Simcoe County is already overrepresented for aggregate extraction in Ontario.
The report was extremely critical of the operation of the ministry that manages aggregate resources in Ontario: “ … the ministry is falling short in balancing its competing roles of facilitating the extraction of aggregate resources and minimizing the impact of aggregate operations ...”
It went on to note that the ministry did not have processes in place to ensure that sites are promptly rehabilitated and returned to productive use, nor is there adequate oversight and inspection of sites and inspectors to address complaints on non-compliance with regulations. There have been issues in Ramara already along these lines.
The impacts of aggregate mining are many and harmful to humans, wildlife, birds, the environment. There is noise pollution and air pollution both from extraction and trucking; the congestion and danger on Highway 12 already from trucks from the many existing quarries will be worsened; there is risk to local groundwater levels and flow patterns and thus to wells.
Aggregate mining irreversibly alters the landscape, destroying woodlands, wetlands, grasslands, or farmlands and the life these foster. A new quarry in Ramara must only be allowed for a very compelling reason. As long as amendments to existing zoning allow for more quarries, there is no incentive to look for other methods such as using recycled material.
There are many homes and cottages in close proximity to this proposed new quarry. The health, safety, and quality of life of residents need to be given equal consideration to the demands of aggregate businesses. The right to a healthy environment has been passed as law in Canada.
Ramara Township will hold a public meeting, unscheduled as yet, on this issue, which anyone can attend.
Barbara Sternberg
Member, Concerned Lakeshore Ratepayers Group
Brechin
