I live in Lanark Highlands…

I live in Lanark Highlands and I am very concerned that this proposal does not effectively address the risks and concerns relating to aggregate operations. I understand that aggregate operations are necessary. However with the concerns regarding this area’s complex and important aquifer and the environmental risks I strongly believe that both the public and arms length independent consultants must be involved in the review of each requested permit.

In areas like Lanark Highlands residents and tourists depend on the quality of both our surface and ground water. Today we can safely drink our well water and in many cases our surface water. This is a valuable and treasured element of our environment and we recognize that this is no longer true in many of our provinces lakes and rivers.

Most specifically I want
- public notification, consultation and input to continue to be an integral part of license application and permit granting for aggregate extraction in pits and quarries.
- that the evaluation and approval of applications related to aggregate extraction and water management on pit sites be conducted by suitably trained and qualified authorities who are acting in strictly arms length of the companies who are requesting the permits.
- that the aggregate extraction industry to be considered an ineligible industry for EASR permitting.