Margaret Berube District…

Margaret Berube
District Planner
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
Regional Operations Division
Southern Region
Bancroft District
106 Monck Street
PO Box 500
Bancroft Ontario
K0L 1C0 

Dear Ms. Berube,

I am a local, seasonal resident and land owner within the immediate vicinity of the proposed quarry. I strongly object to the proposal put forward.

My professional background is in the environmental field and more specifically, working as the Vice President of a Ministry Of The Environment and Climate Change licensed Dewatering Contractor. I have gained extensive knowledge and experience dealing with both short term groundwater and surface water takings along with all of their effects, both immediate and long term. I take pride in the conservation work that I do in order to preserve our pristine drinking water sources whether in my back yard or someone else's.

This proposed quarry is situated just outside a thriving community, in an area that is immediately adjacent to fish sanctuaries, and many residents that rely on the same aquifer for drinking water. Little meaningful investigation has been completed by the proponent on the potential impacts to the many environmental concerns. A series of long term pumping tests needs to be a priority to fully understand the nature of the aquifer and the impact that daily pumping will have upon it and those within the zone of influence. Currently, the proponent has completed slug tests only which do not provide the reliable information required.
There has been no comprehensive fracture mapping or investigation within the bedrock released by the proponent leaving one to speculate that it has not been completed. This mapping is essential once again to the understanding of the effects of long term pumping by the proponent. The four nearby lakes which are fed from this aquifer may suffer serious consequences. In general, detrimental effects likely to be realized just by the continuous daily pumping required by this proposal are:
        
Potential impairment of water quality on the site, including harm to the aquifer.
The water quality of residential wells close by could be harmed.
The water quantity available from the aquifer could be and likely will be reduced significantly. 
The water level of nearby lakes could be reduced, detrimentally affecting provincially specific wetlands and protected sanctuaries.
Heightened summer water temperature in an on-site lake could have a detrimental impact on the viability of cold water fish in any adjacent waterways.
Potential harm to on-site and off-site wetlands.
Loss of habitat for many current wildlife species.
Loss of habitat for the Jefferson Salamander, which is designated as threatened under the federal Species at Risk Act and classified as an endangered species since 11 June 2011, and throughout Canada. The government of Ontario has designated the species as a specially protected amphibian, which provides protection to the species and its habitats.
Potential loss and fragmentation of continuous natural environment.

In this type of confined aquifer, water travels between the non-porous rock layers like gravel, sandstone, or granite and the rock elements hold the water. Water penetrates into the earth through cracks and pores until all the gaps are occupied with water and saturated. A reliable groundwater replenishment system is essential for the survival of humans and the earth. As the world realizes the importance of protecting our shrinking freshwater drinking water supply, it is difficult to understand how unnecessary, capitalistic proposals of this nature are even considered. There is no environmental benefit to approving a quarry. There is significant environmental benefit for rejecting the proposal.