Prior to enacting news rules…

Prior to enacting news rules around water taking, it is important that Ontario be aware of a new stress on our water resources. In our small community of Shanty Bay ON, a village of 580 next to Lake Simcoe, of whom approximately 400 residents are on the community well water system, an illegal cannabis operation has set up a 256 acre outdoor cannabis facility. Without required site alteration permits which impose strict measures on excavation, environmental studies, indigenous consultations, and other authorities, the owners excavated a 400 ft x 400 ft reservoir over top of a significant ground water re-charge area and next to the well head protection area for the municipal well. The aquifer for the village is also on this site. The owners drilled 5 wells on the property and have been actively pumping water into the reservoir and have now applied for a water taking permit for 2, 080,000 litres per day. They have hired a hydro-geologist to monitor several nearby wells as a requirement of the permit. The hydro-geologist is not monitoring the reservoir and only one well on the site has a monitor installed. How is the MOECP allowed to even consider an application for a business which is operating outside municipal bylaws?
The first rule for water taking should be compliance with municipal, environmental and other provincial authorities, bylaws and rules and only once that is achieved, should go on to review and assess an application.
We have grave concerns about the lawless behavior of the proponent and even if given a permit, water usage is self monitored and past behavior would indicate they will do whatever, and use whatever they wish without repercussions.
Not only will our water supply become affected but the excessive chemical infused run-off which is already happening into Lake Simcoe which is 500 metres away will pollute it.
Please include cannabis in your legislation in that water intensive Cannabis crops be scrutinized for water taking. They are attempting to take similar amounts to water bottling companies.