Re proposed changes to…

Re proposed changes to Aggregate Act:

The Region of Waterloo's 600,000 residents depend on groundwater for their drinking water. The Region is also the location of the largest concentration of aggregate operations in the province. The Region asks that aggregate operations stay a minimum of 1.5 meters above the water table so that our vital water supply is protect. We oppose the proposed clause : "Clarify that depth of extraction ...is managed under the ARA and that duplicative municipal zoning by-laws relating to he depth of extraction would not apply." The Region's proposal is not "duplicative" - it is protective. This is a public health issue. If our groundwater gets contaminated, the only alternative is to build a pipeline to Lake Erie at an estimated cost of $2billion. That is too high a price for us to pay solely because a fews gravel companies wanted to make a few more $$ off their operations.

We also oppose the proposed clause "extraction may be considered in the natural heritage features listed in section 2.1.5, 2.1.6 and 2.1.7, provided that the long-term rehabilitation can demonstrate no negative impact on the natural features of their ecological functions." Available research data reveal that aggregate site rehabilitation is seriously deficient and the effectiveness of rehabilitation plans to deliver good results is very difficult, if not impossible, to predict. In addition, these natural heritage areas are designated only after serious objective consideration under government programs. They should not be subject to destruction under such a loophole.