Tottenham Pit expansion worries councillor

By Maija Hoggett Barrie Advance Jul 12, 2012

NEW TECUMSETH – An update on the progress of a proposal to expand the Tottenham Pit is raising red flags for one New Tecumseth councillor. 

The Tottenham Pit is on the south side of Highway 9 east of Mount Wolfe Road. While located outside of New Tecumseth, there is some worry that expanding the pit could impact the local water table.

Brock Aggregates has an application before the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) to expand the pit. Some of the new work they’re proposing will take place below the water table.

In Caledon, where the pit is located, residents opposed to the application have formed Protect Caledon Inc.

The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) also has concerns about the impact the work will have on the Beeton Creek, which runs through New Tecumseth.

The NVCA has asked the MNR for more details on other potential impacts, including a confirmation that the work won’t have an adverse impact on neighbouring properties or encroach into natural hazards. The NVCA has asked for clarity on the proposed monitoring system of the expansion as well.

New Tecumseth is supporting the NVCA’s position on the matter.

However, an email from MNR inspector Alex Smith is worrying New Tecumseth Coun. Bruce Haire.

In a June email, Smith states that the MNR is “preparing to process the Aggregate Resources Act site plan amendment for the Brock Aggregates Tottenham site.”

“I hope that doesn’t mean they’re going to approve it without addressing the issues,” he said. “It certainly concerns me that we know the NVCA issues haven’t been addressed.”