The Oxford Coalition for…

The Oxford Coalition for Social Justice would like to comment on several things related to ERO #025-0663

1. We endorse the comments submitted by Gravel Watch Ontario
2. We note that the change of land use from a water feature to agricultural use would seem valuable if the land were to be given to food production. We have doubts about that happening in Caledon, and further wonder how filling a lake with excess soil will impact the water table. For agriculture, water is vital in the soil and/or in wells for livestock even human use. The dumping of excess soil, potentially contaminated with a variety of toxins, makes this dubious.
3. The Oxford Coalition for Social Justice also notes that the process for this decision largely robs the community of input and therefore in anti-democratic. Full consultation in the community is a necessity, especially in light of the fact that the 'final rehabilitation" of the site to include its current lake represents a covenant with the community: to have a final rehabilitation plan; and to respect that final rehabilitation plan as present for the community.
4. Given the potential for contamination of the excess soil - the Qualified Person may or may not be a chemist; the Qualified Person may or may not sample sufficiently to accurately determine the soil's freedom from toxins, etc. - It is unwise to mix this with ground water. Turbidity is an issue in this as well
5. The Oxford Coalition for Social Justice suggests that the Ministry reject this proposed change of use.