"No choice but to approve quarry" : Mayor

This is taken from an article by Brendan Wedley of the Peterborough Examiner.


Municipalities can’t block the development of quarries, Galway-Cavendish and Harvey Mayor Janet Clarkson maintained Wednesday after township council gave planning approvals for a controversial new 432-acre quarry the day before.

The issue has galvanized the community with one meeting on the project drawing an estimated 500 people.

Even with council’s approval of official plan and zoning bylaw amendments Tuesday, there are more approvals needed before Dewdney Mountain Farms Ltd. can start its quarry on Ledge Rd. about 15 kilometres northwest of Buckhorn.

Galway-Cavendish and Harvey council will need to lift a hold that it put on the zoning change to give the township and developer time to negotiate over improvements to Ledge Rd. that it argues is needed to handle trucks carrying aggregate from the quarry. And the official plan amendment will be considered by Peterborough County council.

When the approvals are in place, the provincial government will consider whether to issue an operating licence for the proposed quarry.

With about 35 quarries in the township, the municipality’s roads are being battered by the trucks carrying aggregate from the pits, Clarkson said.

“The provincial government has said ‘there will be quarries,’” the mayor said. “Our roads are being destroyed, but at the end of the day our provincial government is pulling the strings.”

Clarkson voted in favour of the planning applications for the quarry, but she argues council decided it didn’t have a choice on the matter after it discussed the issue with a lawyer and its professional planners. “It looks like the municipalities are making these decisions. These decisions are being mandated by the province,” she insisted. And there are more applications being prepared by developers for other quarries in the township, Clarkson added. “We’ve got too many,” she said. “There’s many more on the way.”

Groups such as the North Pigeon Lake Ratepayers’ Association and Stop the Quarry have lobbied against the project, citing concerns such as traffic, noise from blasting and the need to protect water sources.

Dewdney Mountain Farms Ltd. had several studies done to support its applications, including hydrogeology, noise, blasting impact, traffic impact, archeological and natural environment reviews. Those studies were peer reviewed by other professionals.

Adri Eastman, who lives on Ledge Rd., remains concerned about the quarry possibly affecting her well water and a nearby fish sanctuary. "We tried to talk with (council). We tried to reason with them. We’ve been giving them information,” she said. “They did have the opportunity to turn it down if they wanted to.”Eastman shared that she and her husband built their house in 2010 on a quiet country road. “I’m less than two kilometres from the quarry,” she said. “I built on a dead-end road thinking that I wasn’t going to have any neighbors out in the middle of nowhere.” Eastman tried to block the project by appealing a severance application to the Ontario Municipal Board in November. The quasi-judicial body decided in favour of the severance application last month.

After the expense of the first Ontario Municipal Board appeal, Eastman’s not sure if she’ll appeal the most recent decisions on the project. The Stop the Quarry group is going to discuss the option and possible fundraising for an appeal.

Clarkson commented she’s sure the item is destined to go to the Ontario Municipal Board, whether was from the company appealing against council’s rejection of the applications or in the current scenario the residents appealing council’s approval of the applications.

“It’s way better if it goes on their dollars than on ours,” she said.

Chex TV Jan 7th 2013

A letter to the editor...

A letter to the editor from our friends at North Pigeon Lake Ratepayers' Association

Article sent to the newspaper editors and other media to emphasize lack of due process in the Mega Quarry application process:

Bobcaygeon January 3, 2013

NOW WE SEE DEWDNEY's CAVES, ... SOON WE MAY NOT.

 What few know is that right outside Bobcaygeon, in Galway-Cavendish Harvey Township, we have what spelunkers (cavers) have said is Ontario's number 2 cave system and perhaps number 31 in all of Canada.

Little is known about the caves but "old timers" talk of exploring the caves, which carried names such as the Ongley Caves, the Parker Caves, and now the Dewdney Mountain Caves. Research by members of the North Pigeon Lake Ratepayers' Association, into how well various organizations did their research for a proposed quarry adjacent to these caves, identified it as a very significant karst (a region made up of porous limestone containing deep fissures and sinkholes and characterized by underground caves and streams).

From what we have gleaned from cavers' reports and those who have visited the site we see this cave system as extremely important, significant to geology, the environment, species at risk like bats, and as a potential tourist attraction for the area. E. A. Ongley wrote a thesis on the caves in 1965 and it is widely available to anyone researching the area. The caves should be referred to as the Dewdney's Caves, derived from Arthur Dewdney who was Rod Parker's (the owner prior to a Mr. Ritchie) great grandfather.  There would appear from these sources to be over 1.6 kilometers (possibly 10 kms) of caves explored and many more meters unexplored.  They are suspected to be about 500 metres from the proposed quarry with the cave floor in some places lying only 2 m above the water table.  This needs to be verified before blasting in the quarry begins.  Why does Council and other authorities resist this investigation?

Just East of Lakefield, The Warsaw Caves are a well-known and well-used tourist attraction. For decades they have been a favorite destination for many families wishing to see examples of erosion over centuries through the limestone. This makes it one of Ontario's best tourist destinations, making the top 15 in 2012

Helen Gerson from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources states, in the guidelines for bats of Ontario, that every OMNR district office should prepare a list of locations of caves and mines in which bats hibernate during the winter.  She also states that in The Endangered Species Protection Act it mandates stiff fines and possible imprisonment for those who kill or disturb endangered bats or harm their habitat.

Although not a project of Kawartha Region Conservation Authority (KRCA), the caves referred to so far have not been identified as an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI).  As such, they have not been granted protection as a significant natural heritage feature (Natural Heritage policies of the PPS). Furthermore, MNR staff was contacted on this matter and indicated that the MNR has accepted the geology /hydro geology studies prepared in support of the Dewdney Farms quarry application without providing information or consideration to the endangered species protection act on this issue of caves and bats in the area.   

From a report of 2003 by Trent University entitled "The Parker Property: An Important Biological Rich Hardwood Forest area in Central Ontario" we learned the following "The flora is overall very rich with a large number of regionally or provincially rare orchids, sedges and ferns. The Natural Heritage Information Group of MNR and the Canadian Nature Conservancy found 423 vascular plant species in a short one-day visit in 2002. Rare snakes and salamanders also occur, as well as a rich butterfly, dragonfly and Damsel fly fauna and a large mammal population, including a winter deer yard with 950 white-tailed deer in 1998 (MNR-Report). The bird diversity is also rich, but not yet fully documented. There are numerous underground caves in the limestone, where the Queen's University Caving Society has explored and mapped 10 km of underground caves, one of the longest underground sequences in the province of Ontario."

In spite of the fact that this is such a unique feature, possibly of greater significance than the protected Warsaw Caves, why did not one of the exhaustive reports on the area of the potential quarry mention such an Ontario feature?  

What is needed is an ANSI study to determine whether the caves play a significant role in the area and garner the attention of the local Councils who have control over approval of Quarry applications.  This is a costly effort for which we will be seeking the support from local residents. Perhaps the Council of Galway-Cavendish Harvey will pay half of the $2000 needed while the NPLRA pays the other half. With Mr. Ritchie's cooperation we could determine once and for all the importance of the caves.

Ross Morton

President, North Pigeon Lake Ratepayers' Association

WWW.NPLRA.CA

For those of you who want to explore before potential damage is done to the surrounding area by blasting or heavy truck traffic just drive about 3 kms east of Nogies Creek on #36 to Quarry Road and turn left. You travel about 6.8 kms from #36 always staying to the left at turns. We suggest you ask Mr. Ritchie for his permission to walk the property.

 https://maps.google.ca/maps?q=44.646613,-78.50367&num=1&t=h&z=16 

Or by map coordinates for you real hikers and geocaches   44.646613,-78.50367.

 

-30-

For more information and membership support please go to

www.nplra.ca

Important Meeting Jan 15th 2013

Happy New Year!

Please attend this Galway Cavendish Harvey Council Meeting to show your support and concerns with the Quarries issues. The applications from the public meetings held on April 10th 2012 and June 23rd 2012 will be brought forward at this Planning Meeting for Council's consideration:

RE: Dewdney Mountain Farms Ltd., Lot 28 and Part if Lots 29 and 30 concession 15, Harvey Ward
Applications for Official Plan and Zoning By-Law Amendments.
 
The Galway Cavendish Harvey Council (GCH) Meeting on January 15th 2013 will be held in the Township's Council Chambers at 701 County rd. 36, Bobcaygeon at 1pm.

This meeting is open to the public, however it is not a public meeting under the Planning Act and the Council will not be accepting public comments.

Your attendance to observe is vital, please respect the purpose of this meeting and observe only. Any unruly behavior will not be tolerated.

Modernization of Approvals?

This EBR posting states that "the MNR is going to streamline the permitting, licensing and approvals processes to help individuals and businesses access these services faster and more efficiently. The goal is to provide faster and improved services and to reduce the burden on individuals, businesses and government."

Translation: The MNR would like to fast track these developments before anyone knows what is going on. Making local government powerless to make decisions based on what is best for their communities. Get your comments in ASAP! Deadline in November 13th 2012.

Click HERE for the link. Get your comments in ASAP! Deadline in November 13th 2012

NPLRA

We are happy to announce that "Stop the Quarry" has joined forces with the North Pigeon Lake Ratepayers Association and formed a committee to take action and help shape policy decisions on the development and use of quarries in the North Pigeon Lake region.

Mid October NPLRA drafted and sent a letter to offering a potential solution to council. On November 6th 2012 the committee will be making a presentation to council in support of the letter that has been sent.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend this meeting. Council meetings start at 1:00pm at the following address.

Township of Galway-Cavendish and Harvey
701 County Road 36
Bobcaygeon ON K0M 1A0

A sense of community

   This area is made up of many small communities. I often ask myself why I chose to remain living in a small community? The answer is clear. We all have neighbors, growing up in a small I always considered myself fortunate to personally know my neighbors on a first name basis. Growing up in a small town I was taught to be friendly and respect my neighbors. I was taught to smile and wave when you meet them on the road, I was taught to offer them a helping hand when they are in need, I was also taught to respect their way of life whether I agreed with it or not. I have seen this time and time again in our small surrounding communities, when someone is having difficulty in their lives we gather as a community and rally around them in support. We go to Jack & Jills to support an upcoming wedding, we go to fundraisers to help families that have been caught off guard by an unexpected illness, we attend fundraisers to support a cause. We all do this, not because we HAVE to, but simply because it is the right thing to do, the neighborly thing to do.

   We are asking for your support, to rally together as a community and support your neighbors. We are the people you meet on the roads, the people who serve you at local businesses, just regular small town folk fighting to preserve the sense of community that we all enjoy. Please join us at the Public Meeting on June 23rd at 10:00am at Caygeon Lanes and support your neighbors!

Short term benefits vs. long term impact

    Far to often the planning of land use is done using the short term impact approach. We need to take care when making decisions today, we need to consider how these decisions are going to affect future generations. We are more than ever more cautious of the way we do things, faced with a decision to make... Do we approve yet another quarry or do we say NO, enough quarries... for now. Lets maybe hold off on some new quarries until some of the thousands of quarries in operation in Ontario have reached their end. We understand the need for aggregates, but at what cost? First the trees are removed, this displaces animals from their natural habitats, then we start blasting away, making holes, consuming the surrounding water and what do we have left? A big hole in the ground, a concrete plant and silos sitting in the woods all boarded up because they have taken everything they can and have moved onto the next.

    We do more now than ever to protect what we have for future generations. We turn off lights to conserve energy, we compost and now more than ever before we recycle. We do ALL this for future generations.

    It is stated that "Government land use planning policies, as reflected in the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005 (PPS), give a high priority to aggregate operations". This is a social issue, not once did we hear about a study on the social impact that this is going to have. Many of us grew up here, others moved here to get away from the noise, pollution and fast pace that the cities suffer from. It is time that the government starts giving some priority to the people that live and/or vacation around these operations.

    We need to make decisions based on long term sustainability of the proposed land and all that surrounds it vs the short term benefits. 

    Join us at the Public Meeting on June 23rd to have your voice heard! We look forward to seeing you all there!

Quarry Alley

Some of you have been wondering why we refer to Hwy 36 between Bobcaygeon and Buckhorn "Quarry Alley" The picture below should demonstrate why! Not hard to find on a map what is quarry. Upon closer look at this map we figure the image is about 4-5 years old! Wonder what it looks like now? Check back and we will post it when we get it!

Note: NONE of these quarries operate under "unlimited tonnage"

Tax increases

Ok, here is for all of you that have the "it doesn't affect me" attitude. Taxes, we all pay them! No matter where you live, you pay taxes. A portion of your taxes go towards road maintenance. How is your Township, Municipality or City going to come up with the extra cost for road repairs when the traffic of trucks are increased on your highways. Your answer = tax increases! I should mention that in a few short years to come the by-pass in Bobcaygeon along with the bridge over Little Bob are going to need significant repairs if not a complete replacement. Who is going to pay that bill? Not the Quarry! The City of Kawartha Lakes don't even at this moment have a haul agreement with the proposed Quarry! That means its coming out of your pockets! The aggregate companies from what was stated at the last council meeting, pay 12 cents per tonne. The gov takes half and the township gets the other half... But not if you don't have a haul agreement! Start saving up!

Studies presented by the applicant

All the reports and peer reviews can be found here

Our Local Parliament Contact Information

    Your Local MP Barry Devolin
 Click here to contact Barry Devolin




                                        Your local MPP Laurie Scott
                                    Click here to contact Laurie Scott

656 hits in 2 days...

Glad that this blog is reaching so many people. So far at this moment we have had 656 hits in 2 days, amazing since up until a couple of days ago no one even knew about this proposed "Mega Quarry" and concrete plant! Thanks to everyone who showed up to the Council Meeting today in support, or rather opposition to this Quarry. I know I speak for everyone in the neighborhood saying thank you, we appreciate it! We're not done! Keep spreading the word!

Ministry of Natural Resourses Contact Information

Well it seemed that Paul Cutmore had better things to do than to attend our council meeting to hear our concerns... so here is all the information you need to get a hold of him! I would strongly suggest calling him and letting him know ALL the information he missed today!

Paul Cutmore
Aggregate Inspector
Ministry of Natural Resources
Regional Operations Division
Southern Region
Peterborough District
300 Water Street
Floor 1
Robinson Place South Tower
Peterborough Ontario
K9J 8M5
Phone: (705) 755-3110
Fax: (705) 755-3125

We need your help!

There is a deadline that needs to be met and it is only 2 days away! Anyone who has issues to address regarding this quarry, please submit them online HERE in the comments section.

Traffic Issues

How would you feel if there was to be an estimated 50 trucks a day passing by your home? We did the math and here is what it equates to...

Based on an 8 hour day
50 truck a day = 6.25 trucks per hour = a truck every 9.6 minutes (one way) = a truck passing by our homes every 4.8 minutes!!!

We live here because we love the peace and quiet this area has to offer, kinda hard to do when there is a semi or dump truck passing by your home every 4.8 minutes.

These numbers are only ones that have been thrown out there, no one seems to have exact numbers on how many exactly there will be.

Stop the Quarry

  We feel like we have no choice but to make our frustrations public. Any one who has any interest in enjoying Ledge Rd or the surrounding area as is currently stands is invited to attend a public Town meeting Tuesday April  10  at Galway Harvey Cavendish municipal office at 1pm to stop a concrete plant and mega quarry, being a resident of the affected area, I hope to see all there that this may impact!