On behalf of the over 80…

On behalf of the over 80 members of the Otter Lake Cottagers Association, I submit the following:

The summary on this website indicates the proposed changes will "reduce burdens for business while maintaining strong protection for the environment". We realize the economy relies on business but it also relies on making sure the environment is protected so that we have an economy. Tourism in our County of Haliburton is important and depends on the sanctity of its numerous lakes and rivers. We respectfully disagree that our environment will be better protected by amending the Aggregate Resources Act.

We also noticed that the initiatives of two government departments contradict each other. Specifically, MOECP is calling for stricter water protection while the MNRF is moving to reduce it.

We have a particular concern with reducing business burdens at the expense of the environment. Crown Land belongs to all of us and must be utilized responsibly. Putting business interests for Crown Land use ahead of environmental concerns is false representation. Lessening restrictions of Crown Land use to allow aggregate extraction dangerously close to lakes and streams is not acceptable.

Currently, we have a concern that Bacher Construction has submitted an application for a new quarry within 400 metres of Harvey Lake. This disregards Algonquin Highlands Municipal By-Law that restricts quarries to 1,000 metres but this quarry would be more than 600 metres closer than it should be. In addition the increased large truck traffic along the shores of our Otter Lake is of great concern.

Therefore, we request that the Provincial Government:

1. Reconsider overriding local planning by-laws and to work jointly with municipalities to ensure property owners and tax payers expectations are respected.
2. Require that all proposed aggregate applications with potential waterway impacts (i.e., lakes, feeder streams, groundwater, wetlands, fissures etc.) participate in the more robust application process requirement for quarries below the waterline, set out in the Provincial announcement, in concert with the Government’s policies of protecting water resources.
3. Enforce at least a 1,000-metre setback requirement for all waterfront designations, which is already a minimum in many Municipal By-Laws.

Thank you for your consideration