I am opposed to this…

I am opposed to this Application made by 2004295 Ontario Inc. for changes to the site plan for a pit or quarry ERO number 025—0663 posted by the Ministry of Natural Resources, to amend the current site plan to allow the importation of excess soil for a maximum of 11,395,324 cubic meters to re-establish pre-existing grades and to revise the final use of the site from pond to agriculture.

Some of the reasons I am opposed to this proposal to allow the company to fill a “below water” pit, including into the "pond"/lake, which occupies a large part of the site, are as follows:

1. Potential unknown and negative impacts on Green Lake, the Credit River and private wells.
2. Potential risks of contaminated soil on water, wildlife and environment.
3. Health and safety costs for residents and municipality with increased truck traffic on roads that already under stress, including air quality, noise, and dust.
4. Impacts for the tourism economy and recreation in this area.
5. Potential impacts on water, fish, plant and wildlife diversity, as this site is upstream from a designated World Biosphere Reserve.
6. Potential increase in land temperatures, reducing the ability of local communities to address climate change and build resilience.
7. Cumulative costs of many existing and proposed pits, quarries, development and water permits issued in this area, headwaters of the Credit River.
8. Developers often don’t use the dirt that they excavate on site due to potential contamination, liability concerns, and the difficulty of managing and ensuring the quality of the soil. These potential risks are not acceptable in the headwaters of the Credit River.