This amendment is clearly…

This amendment is clearly related to Strada's proposed below the water table quarry in Melancthon and should not be reviewed or approved on its own. The two should be reviewed together. This proposed permit to consider water is hiding the negative and very concerning environmental and community impacts of the larger quarry project, and in trying to conceal the true nature of this amendment by separating it out from the quarry, actually works to undermine public trust. I am extremely disappointed in how this has been approached and truly hope the government upholds their purported commitments to protecting Ontario land and water, and to being transparent, accountable, and responsible in how they approach development.Allowing a company to advance major approvals piece by piece sends the message that the government does not care about Ontario land or water. I'm deeply concerned as we cannot take water-taking ora quarries as separate applications: these are interdependent. Secondarly, the water-taking proposal permits up to five million litres a day, every day of the year, which is an enormous withdrawal for a rural, agricultural area.Next, there is no clear public reporting or independent verification of how much water would actually be taken or how nearby wells and wetlands would be protected. The ministry’s process simply lacks transparency. I cannot stress enough how disappointing it is that these are being considered as two seperate comment periods. This prevents residents from understanding the full picture or responding in a meaningful way. It also makes it feel as though they are purposefully trying to conceal their actions, and get around the residents, rather than working with the community.Approving this permit now would set a dangerous precedent. It would show that industrial interests are able to be pushed through with strategies based on concealment, of dividing applications so the public doesn't clue in, rather than facing proper scrutiny. With climate change creating longer dry periods and unpredictable water levels, the ministry should be strengthening oversight, not weakening it.If this government intends to live up to its promise of protecting Ontario’s natural resources, it should pause this application immediately and require a joint review of the quarry and water-taking together, with full disclosure and independent oversight.