My family has owned a 100…

My family has owned a 100 acre farm property in Puslinch Township since 1965. During that time we have seen extensive aggregate extraction and what these same companies leave behind on these once beautiful rural properties is disturbing. The high degree of truck traffic and congestion and impact on the surrounding community is immeasurable as is the negative impact on local property values. Our local governments strive to protect our precious water tables and wetlands. Many of the proposed changes to the Aggregate Resource Act are irresponsible at a time when we should be doing the opposite in terms of more measurable guidelines and protection for these very limited natural resources.

Further comments:
1. Requests for extraction below the water table should be controlled with local reviews and awareness. We live in this community, these are our homes and properties and this is the water our wells and families rely on.
2. Any amendments to aggregate site plans need to be formally sent to the municipality for review. This is an obvious need and requirement that needs to continue. Removing this requirement is a recipe for abuse.
3. Self-reporting does not work; this too is an open door for abuse with little recourse.
4. Road haul routes need to be clearly defined and followed. Heavy gravel trucks running 12 months a year cause extensive road wear and damage - the local municipality is left maintaining and repairing all this damage with no recovery or course.

Awareness and protection of our natural resources should be a goal everyone in any community strives to achieve and be part of. The idea of lessening and lowering the guidelines for responsible extraction and reporting is simply unacceptable. These same aggregate companies are very profitable. If they want to operate in our community they need to operate responsibly and by the guidelines in place. Or they can go elsewhere.

Thank you.