What follows is our concerns…

What follows is our concerns to the proposed new quarry located on Lots 12 and 13, Concession 5, Geographic Township of Kingston, and City of Kingston.

As long standing residents living on the west side of the current quarry (34 plus years) we’ve endured the current owner’s operation. That is why we have many grave concerns about this new application.

Our well was tested 2 years ago and was found to be the same as it was in 1980. We’ve been lucky so far. With this proposed new quarry it would reduce the distance to our well by more than half. The new proximity to our well with this proposed aggressive expansion and extraction below the water table as well as the blasting has us more than concerned for the continued use of our well. Please remember the Westbrook/Woods Quarry. Although Cruickshank eludes to a contingency plan, which only consists of grouting the rock face, there is nothing that we know of that would stop him from declaring bankruptcy and walking away from his obligations. The Morrison and Hershfield consultant has not had any experience with this solution and yet claims that water loss will never happen. We would like to have access to his crystal ball. There is no plan to actually supply us with potable water should the grouting fail. 
The current quarry and proposed quarry have a high pressure gas line and several oil lines dissecting them. There is a high voltage power line running across both sites as well. Although the applicant dismisses the possibility of a break occurring in one or all of these lines, we do not. Contamination of our well water due to damage to these lines, onsite spills, or daily operations within the quarry worry us.

The applicant has submitted two studies that are wholly inadequate. The traffic study and the noise study should definitely have a peer review as it does not address our concerns.

There has been a lack of traffic study done on Cordukes Rd which is not an arterial road although the applicant has stated that it is his preferred route. The impression given in a correspondence with the applicant was that he had paid for upgrades to Cordukes Rd 30 years ago which entitles him to the use of this road. The upgrades and reduced speed did nothing in the intervening years to improve the quality of life to the road. Dust, noise and the danger in walking, biking, jogging and horseback riding along the road continues because of the ever increasing number and size of truck vehicles using the road day and night and potentially on the weekends as he is asking for a 24/7 operation. Our taxes continually go to maintaining the road and guardrails from the overuse by heavy trucks.

The noise from the quarry and truck traffic is a steady background sound that at times is quite irritating and disruptive especially at night when we are trying to sleep. We have not had the need to install an air conditioner nor should we be forced to as a sound mitigation against the quarry operation. In asking for a 24/7 operation the residents in this area have no respite. The constant noise leads to health problems that the overburdened health care system cannot handle.
The current noise assessment has included equipment that has not been used for many years (i.e. the bag house). There are no actual onsite measurements of current equipment taken in 2014. Calculations were based on other locations noise assessments by H Williamson and from onsite measurements made by Golder in 2010. 
The blast concussions currently shake and rumble our home with no warning. We have also noticed the horses living on this road become quite agitated and hard to handle with the unannounced blasts. With the proposal the blasting will be much closer to us and have a much greater effect. Who will pay for damage to our home? In the past Cruickshank denied that his blasts cause damage but several homes have experienced just that.

In the realm of air quality. There is historically an inadequate control of dust and particulates. Dust has been repeatedly reported by us but has in large part been denied or disregarded by Cruickshank and MOECC. Health has been negatively impacted but Cruickshank and the ministry’s solution is to “see your Doctor” for drugs instead of following regulations and best practices to control the emissions. When the emissions are controlled or not being produced there are no symptoms.

The proposal mentions the KP Trail but the Rideau Trail is not, yet it travels along the west boundary of the proposed quarry. What is to become of this portion of a beautiful unique trail that extends all the way to Ottawa?  Horses and riders use the KP trail and the potential for injury or death from an unexpected blast is very real.
There has been no mention of the Butternut tree which is a protected species. The site plan shows a setback of 15 meters. If in fact there are butternut trees in the area surrounding the proposed site should the setback not be 25 meters. 
On another note. We have a constant flock of barn swallows and whippoorwills around our property from early spring to late fall as well as many other species of bird as well as wild turkeys, deer, coyote, bears, fox, and a number of reptiles.

We chose this location to be able to enjoy a less congested and quieter life. Over the years that has been eroded by the existing quarry. We have invested a lot of time, effort and finances to enhance the natural environment of our property to not only benefit ourselves but the flora and fauna as well.
We do not believe that upon selling our home that our property value will not be affected by this huge operation. If this proposal is approved we will be seeking tax relief as recommended by Gravel Watch Ontario.

The proposal states that all applicable regulations and best practices will be used in the operation of this new quarry the same as the current quarry. Having lived here for many years we can attest to the fact that has not been the case. The responsible ministries have failed in their due diligence to monitor the current operation and allowed any regulation discrepancies to be grandfathered. Self-regulation equals failure.
The operator has made several statements that he will run his operation as he sees fit and will pay the fine later as he sees it as part of doing business.

The process of voicing our concerns and complaints has been a very frustrating and stressful experience. As an example: There is no way to view the application other than to view a hard copy at the MNRF office which is like trying to gain entry into the proverbial Fort Knox. It took the MNRF approximately two weeks to make the hard copy available.  The city DASH system is the only online avenue to view this application and yet as of today it has not been posted even though we were to have our concerns in by January 8th. The Ontario regulations for pits and quarries must be overhauled and updated to accommodate for the tardiness and antiquated system of the respected governing bodies.

The inability of the MNRF, MOECC, The City of Kingston and the Provincial Government to take responsibility for their respective regulations has created an untrustworthy environment.

In conclusion we believe that this expansion as proposed without restrictions, limits and oversight, will continue to greatly reduce the quality of life and health of the road and surrounding area but especially for us as we live outside weather permitting. 

This will be especially evident in the request for 24/7 operation at the applicants discretion which will put us between two noise and pollution sources (quarry behind us and the road in front) THERE IS A NEED FOR NOTIFICATION OF BLASTING AND WORKING OUTSIDE OF THE MUNICIPAL NOISE BYLAWS!!!

We also feel that there will be detrimental impact on the flora and fauna in the area despite it being deemed “insignificant”. We are one of several beekeepers in this area and this expansion greatly reduces the forage area for the bees not to mention the possible effects of the quarry operation on their health which in turn may impact the farm crops.

Thank you.

Yours truly,