Ministry of Environment Files Strong Objection to Mega-quarry Proposal

News release from CAUSE, NDACT June 29 2011

Melancthon ON — The Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE)  has submitted its letter of objection to a mega-quarry proposal in Melancthon Township to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR).

One of the 2,000+ letters of objection to a proposed 2,300-acre Dufferin County mega quarry that the MNR received was sent by none other than the MOE. The 20-page letter objects to the quality and findings of the environmental impact studies undertaken by the company behind the proposed quarry, The Highland Companies-a Canadian enterprise backed by the Baupost Group, a Boston-based hedge fund.

The MOE letter states that “It is our position that the reports failed to demonstrate a three dimensional understanding of the geology, hydrogeology and hydrology of the site.”  The Ministry makes numerous references to the inadequacies of the work done to support the mega quarry, questions statements and conclusions in the submission and points out that the proponent’s consultants and their materials failed to meet expectations communicated to them by the MOE in advance of the preparation of their reports.

“The evidence showing that this quarry proposal presents serious environmental impacts is overwhelming. The MOE’s objection is further proof that the mega-quarry proposal is fundamentally flawed,” said Dr. Harvey Kolodny, a Director at Citizens Alliance United for a Sustainable Environment (“CAUSE”). “The proponent has spent years working on this with an army of technical consultants.  Despite this, The Highland Companies has submitted a proposal that does not adequately address, or properly assess, the serious environmental consequences associated with their application,” added Kolodny.

The hedge fund-backed proposal contains over 3,000 pages of technical studies and reports purportedly demonstrating how, and boasting that, “no environmental impact” will result from the mega quarry activities.  

It is apparent that the Ministry of the Environment does not agree.  

Area farmer Carl Cosack is among a large and growing contingent of Ontarians that are highly sceptical of Highland’s claims. “The farmers in Melancthon Township have been telling people for years that there is no way that they can pursue this proposal, which includes manipulating and pumping 600 million litres of water per day, without creating significant damage to the sensitive water resources of this area. The objection raised by the Ministry of Environment and numerous others is just further proof that the mega-quarry idea is preposterous,” added Cosack, also Vice-Chair of the North Dufferin Agricultural Community Task Force (“NDACT”).

CAUSE, NDACT and numerous other organizations are calling on the Minister of Environment to subject the application to a full individual Environmental Assessment.  Concerns raised by the McGuinty Government’s own staff and other organizations such as the Suzuki Foundation, Maude Barlow and the Council of Canadians, the Grand River Conservation Authority, the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, the Dufferin Federation of Agriculture, the Ecologos Environmental Organization, the Towns of Mulmur and Caledon, the City of Guelph, the Ontario Farmland Trust and many others, should provide enough impetus to at least ensure that the mega quarry is subject to the most rigorous review available.

MOE objection letter  http://www.scribd.com/doc/58967780

The Citizen’s Alliance United for a Sustainable Environment (“CAUSE”) www.citizensalliance.ca

North Dufferin Agricultural Community Task Force (“NDACT”) www.ndact.com