To: The Niagara Escarpment…

To: The Niagara Escarpment Commission,

I’m writing to officially declare my opposition to the application from Nelson Aggregate to blast two new open-pit mines in Burlington’s escarpment.

My son and his family farm on the escarpment - we need to keep this region green.

I am opposed to these new quarries because I am deeply concerned about the negative impact that the continued quarrying of Burlington’s Niagara Escarpment UNESCO World Biosphere will have on the ecosystem in north Burlington, including wildlife, streams and woodlands.

I am extremely worried about the possibility of potentially contaminated fill being added to Nelson Aggregate’s current quarry site and the threatening impact this could have on the future safety of my family's well water.

I am profoundly opposed to the permanent destruction of 124 additional acres of prime farmland and green space in our increasingly urban GTHA. I believe the need for close-to-market green-space trumps the need for close-to-market aggregate.

I do not believe that the promise of a distant, future park in the current quarry site offsets the destruction of these precious open lands in Burlington’s backyard.

The decisions made now by Niagara Escarpment officials will impact the citizens of the GTHA for generations to come. Please decide in favour of our living escarpment.

Thank you for your time and consideration of our concerns.