I am very concerned that the…

I am very concerned that the Reid Road Reservoir Quarry in Milton is proposed to be exempted under the Environmental Assessment Act. I have so many concerns.

First in line is my concern about underwater blasting. Blasts detonated adjacent to and below the bottom of the pond, could cause irrecoverable damage to the groundwater supplying private and municipal wells. The groundwater flows slowly meaning that we might not see the impact of the blasting on our wells for several years making it easier for the proponent to deny liability for any future reduction in the quality and/or quantitfy of water supplying both private and municipal wells.

Second comes my concern about flyrock. There is potential for flyrock on the 401. Just because the proponent says that it won't occur because it's not allowed doesn't take into account the potential for this occur. Just because the blast takes place adjacent to a pond doesn't remove the potential for the vertical forces seen when blast mats lift off on detonation to be controlled. Flyrock can easily occur in such situations and so without study, the 401 is susceptible to this.

Third in line of my concerns is the impact of the increased traffic on the 401 of gravel trucks. It is, without question, true that traffic will increase and as the 401 is already full, the impact of a great number of gravel trucks on traffic should require a traffic management study as part of the assessment for this quarry.

And where is there any study about air quality which will be impacted by this quarry? My fourth concern is for the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) already known as a hazard, that will be inhaled both by humans and animals. And greater exposure increases risk. This risk to public health of the additive impact of this invisible dust has not been quantified or studied adequately.

This area is an important part of the province's Significant Wetlands. How is it protected when blasting, noise and truck traffic will impact it? The fifth of my concerns and perhaps the most important is the impact this industry will have on the wetlands. Wetlands are - amongst other things - important storage and release areas for groundwater, habitat for wildlife species including those at risk, areas for ecosystem productivity and biological diversity, areas that help protect against flood damage, improvers of water quality and sources of relief and calming for those caught up in a world that alienates them from themselves and nature, in other words, for their mental health. This quarry would reduce the ability of this wetland to provide these necessary elements of health to both nature and humans and so requires a study - would the quarry be consistent with protecting these provincially recognized elements of wetlands?

My 6th concern would be the increase in noise from blasting vibration, extraction and crushing of rock and acceleration and deceleration of gravel trucks 6 days per week - this is harmful to humans, but perhaps more so, to the animals living in the wetlands, probably driving them out.

I am unsure too, how permitting the stockpiling of used asphalt and concrete on the site is at all in keeping with the preservation of wetlands - the leaching into the area of contaminants from these materials is bound to affect the surrounding wetlands.

The study into this proposal has not adequately addressed the social, ecological, economic and cultural conditions of humans or the community. These areas must be addressed. It doesn't make any sense to license a quarry so close to the community, adjacent to Provincially Significant Wetlands and beside a 400 series highway. Work has been done by local governments but there are gaps in the studies which present a significant risk to community and to the wetlands.

Please, please, please include the public in defining a broad Terms of Reference to review the potential impact of this quarry and allow the MECP to exercise the right to "refuse to give approval to proceed with the undertaking."