New Tecumseth registers mega-quarry concerns
Truck traffic, air and water quality, need for EA
AWARE Simcoe July 15 2011
At least one Simcoe County municipality registered its concerns with the proposed mega-quarry in Melancthon Thownship. New Tecumseth Mayor Mike McEachern sent in a letter last week raising key concerns about the Highlands Companies project.
“The significance of this project could affect generations of Ontarians to follow.” McEachearn writes in a letter filed under the Environmental Registry process.
He notes that only two municipalities were circulated under the Aggregate Resources Act process, although, if approved, the project would be the second largest in North America.
New Tecumseth requests that an individual Environmental Assessment be required to study the regional impacts of the quarry and identify the necessary mitigation.
Other requests:
-Exclusion of truck traffic from Alliston, Beeton and Tottenham.
-Air quality modelling, monitoring and mitigation measures.
-Monitoring of the aquifer and preventative measures “to avoid potential contamination and changes in the character of the aquifer.”
New Tecumseth Councillor Jim Stone has been an active proponent with regard to the need for his council to take action on this issue. A staff report noted that AWARE Simcoe board member John DeCrombugghe had made a deputation to council on the issue in May, and that AWARE Simcoe had held a public meeting in Alliston in June.
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