Regarding Boynton Pit #3,…

Regarding Boynton Pit #3, Operated by Miller Paving:

This pit is operating in violation of MNR ARA approved site plan legal document since at least 2010. See supporting documents. The proposal to remove part of this pit from the ARA and place it under the jurisdiction of the Town of Uxbridge for the purposes of changing the use of the pit can not be allowed.

The various orders to clean up the contractors yard, remove materials not approved for storage and remove equipment has not been completed despite requests to do so dating back to 2010.

Changing the use of a portion of the pit to allow in-fill on top of a designated highly vulnerable aquifer as per the Oak Ridges Morraine plan goes directly against the aim of the Oak Ridges Morraine plan. As taken from the Act:
The objectives of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan are,

(a) protecting the ecological and hydrological integrity of the Oak Ridges Moraine Area;

(b) ensuring that only land and resource uses that maintain, improve or restore the ecological and hydrological functions of the Oak Ridges Moraine Area are permitted;

(c) maintaining, improving or restoring all the elements that contribute to the ecological and hydrological functions of the Oak Ridges Moraine Area, including the quality and quantity of its water and its other resources;

(d) ensuring that the Oak Ridges Moraine Area is maintained as a continuous natural landform and environment for the benefit of present and future generations;

(e) providing for land and resource uses and development that are compatible with the other objectives of the Plan;

(f) providing for continued development within existing urban settlement areas and recognizing existing rural settlements;

(g) providing for a continuous recreational trail through the Oak Ridges Moraine Area that is accessible to all including persons with disabilities;

(h) providing for other public recreational access to the Oak Ridges Moraine Area; and

(i) any other prescribed objectives. 2001, c. 31, s. 4.

Clearly, increasing the activity at this location, violates many of these objectives.
In addition, changing the jurisdiction over the site to the Town of Uxbridge for the purposes of changing the zoning of the aggregates pit and a subsequent change in use puts the onus on the Town. The Town of Uxbridge does not have the specialists nor the resources that the MNR has in order to ensure the safety of the water table and monitoring of the site for compliance.

In addition:
1. This pit is located on small concession roads, and the main entrance is less than 200 m from a concession road and blind hill. The increase in truck traffic to accommodate the in-fill operations will put local residents at risk as they use this intersection and trucks are heading north bound over this hill.

2. The land was supposed to be returned to agricultural use under the ARA once the aggregate material had been exhausted. What is the purpose of creating these Acts and over sight if they are not going to be enforced?

3. This sets a precedence for all other pit operators across Ontario to apply for a change in use and subsequent in-fill use. The disasterous affects of this can be seen in 2 other locations in just this area alone. The first being on Lakeridge road, East side, south of Durham Road 21 and the other being in the Town of Greenbank, south side of Hwy 48. In both locations, contaminated soil was brought in and both locations are now needing remedial action at the cost of the Municipality of Durham. the Municipality does not have the financial resources required to clean up these sites. In addition, the state of the local roads accessing these sites deteriorated quickly and required resurfacing as a result of the volume of truck traffic.

Clearly, Miller Paving has no intention of meeting their obligations as directed in the various orders issued by the MNR since 2010. Past history would suggest that any further restrictions or guidelines that would be imposed, even if this plan is approved, would likely not be adhered to. The residents of the surrounding area live here because of the location, surroundings and amenities. We depend on the knowledge of the Environment provided by the MNR and the protections of the ARA, and Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act to ensure that our water is safe, and land is used appropriately. These protections need to be upheld in this instance or the flood gates for changing the use of Ontario aggregate sites will be opened and the Oak Ridges Moraine Act can be thrown out the window.

I am a local resident and I depend on the water supply in this aquifer.