Water issues a major concern at meeting on proposed quarry expansion

This application is for a license to produce 600,000 additional tonnes annually. Les Selby, on behalf of Beamish Construction, did a presentation at the beginning of the meeting. The public was then allowed to talk and ask questiions.

Bonnie Pigeon, Marshall Road, states that she is concerned that the removal of more aggregate is going to further impact the area groundwater and that her well has already been impacted. Her well water has silt in it now. She has brought in two mason jars of well water in for samples.

Ross Campbell, hydrogeologist for Beamish, does not believe that the current operations of the existing gravel pit, specifically the permit to take water and the washing of aggregate, could impact the groundwater in the Marshall Road area. He mentioned that the MOE should have been contacted if Mrs. Pigeon had an issue with her well.

Christopher Williams, Marshall Road, stated that he believes that it is critical to establish a baseline on water levels to understand how Beamish taking water affects area wells. As well, he is concerned that  the existing operation has negativlely affected the ground water levels.

Don Morgan, Ottawa Street, Midland states that there this is an ethical issue and asks if there is going to be a negative impact on the people,in general, in the future.David Barkey, Darby Road, states that he has 2 acres where there are patchy brown spots; his well has been affected and he is worried that it might dry up. He cannot afford to lose his well.Mark Oldfield, Marshall Road, states that he wants to be ensured that there will be no impact on the water table and local wells have to be protected.Peter Henderson, Highway 93, advises that he is concerned with sediment issues with wells, noise level issues since there are no berms to the north and hours of operation at the facility.Jim Simpson, Gardiner Corners Corner Road, has concerns regarding the proposed total tonnes excavated and potential ground water issues.

Stephen Ogden, Seguin Township, states that he used to live adjacent to the Beamish pit and had water issues. He requests that a comulative water impact study be proposed to protect the water in the area.

Steve Irvine, Highway 93, has concerns with water issues, water shed and the amount of gravel that is proposed to be extracted.

Anne Ritchie Nahuis, Tiny/Flos Townline, states that she is concerned on how Bonnie and Jake Pigeon has been  treated in the process. She questions why so much aggregate is required at one time and suggests that rehabilitation is crucial.

Jake Pigeon, Marshall Road, states that there should be protection for groundwater in the area.

Mayor Cornell noted that this was a good first meeting to understand the public concerns related to this proposal and that a second public meeting would be an appropriate  next step after Beamish has an opportunity to address some of the issues.