I strongly object to Strada…

I strongly object to Strada Aggregates Inc.’s proposed amendment to Permit to Take Water No. 3210-AKRL9C.

This application must not be reviewed in isolation. Strada has a concurrent below-water-table quarry proposal (ARA Application ERO 025-1005), and the two are clearly interconnected. The water-taking supports washing and processing for the quarry.
The MECP should evaluate both applications together or defer any decision on this permit until the full quarry proposal and hydrogeologic studies are publicly available.

Key concerns:
1️⃣ Cumulative groundwater risk – Up to 6,000 L/min (≈ 5 million L/day) for 365 days/year is Category 3 (highest risk). Combined with below-water-table extraction, it could lower groundwater, reduce aquifer recharge, and impact wells, streams, and wetlands.
2️⃣ Transparency – Separate timelines prevent residents from understanding total impacts. The MECP should align the consultation periods and require disclosure of all hydrogeologic and water-quality data.
3️⃣ Land-use conflict – Continuous industrial water-taking is incompatible with Melancthon’s rural, agricultural character and threatens farm wells and local ecosystems.
4️⃣ Precautionary principle – As a Category 3 application, it demands independent peer review, rigorous monitoring, and full public oversight before any approval.

Until the quarry’s full environmental impacts are known, approving this water-taking would be premature and irresponsible.

I urge the Ministry to defer or deny the application pending a joint, transparent review of both proposals.

(Please note: I tried to register with two separate email addresses however, your system never emailed me - to ensure my comment is included I have put it in anonymously - this is obviously concerning as ensuring people can easily register is an important part of this process. If that takes hours and people lose the ability to comment because of it, that could question the integrity of processes. )