I would like to offer several observations regarding Minister’s decision hardly precedent setting say quarry opponents (BetterFarming.com May 4, 2010).
1. The article states that The Highland Companies "had initially planned to submit an application" to extract aggregate from a portion of its land in Melancthon Township "early in 2009." In fact, the Company never said this. It was not until May 2009 that the Company indicated that an application might be filed up to six months thereafter. Since then, as I reviewed with your reporter, the Company has been engaged in the continuous research and consultation designed to produce the best possible application. As I also noted, the filing will occur when the Company believes it has reached that point.
2. In discussing the manner in which the proposed quarry would be excavated, the article omits reference to the process of progressive rehabilitation I reviewed with your reporter. Under that process, excavation will proceed in sections over many years, rather than all at once over the entire project area. As I also noted, the Company has stated its desire to rehabilitate excavated sections to agriculture and associated uses as the process unfolds.
3. In discussing the Company's critics' proposal for a specialty crop designation, the article omits reference to other views that have been expressed on the subject and that I reviewed with your reporter. These include the facts that the soil in question is found elsewhere in Ontario, potatoes are grown in other parts of the province and Canada, and the Ontario Potato Board declined to become involved in the process, one the Board said "may limit a landowner's rights and options."
Sincerely,
Michael Daniher
on behalf of The Highland Companies
Rehabilitation
What Mr. Daniher fails to mention is Highlands proposal for rehabilitation includes "tender fruit trees". Seriously, in the heart of the snowbelt, at the bottom of a 200 foot hole that will only NOT fill with water if massive pumps are kept running 24/7 to the end of time at someone's expense, just not the company's expense who made all the money mining the limestone and then disappears.
He also fails to mention that in fact there is no legislative requirement for rehabilitation once they mine below the water table.
Sustainability is a big buzzword these days. If the land is left as prime agricultural land to produce food, it is "sustainable" because that can be done forever.
If they are allowed to mine 2,400 acres to a depth of 200 feet (and we get it Daniher, it won't happen all in the same day) when the limestone is gone and the prime agricultural land is gone-what is left. NOTHING.
That is not sustainability.
Ken
Melancthon, Ontario
Arbitrary Ministers or Government decisions not a new phenomena
I find the last half of the last paragraph interesting. the Ontario Potato Board declined to become involved in the process, one the Board said "may limit a landowner's rights and options."
This would be a same potato board as other commodities under Farm Products and the Ag minister mandate? Where did this heartfelt love for rights and property come from?
The limiting of a landowners rights and options was never given validity, consideration, or renumeration for those who found their options changed by Greenbelt, Oakridges Moraine, source water or species at risk. All were arbitrarily implemented by government decree, most with a prior mandate to be science based and economically neutral.
Two ways to loose property, thieves and government the latter the law-makers and enforcers that are expected and sworn to oath to protect us from the first
Land Rehabilitation Planned
The Highland Company spokesperson just mentioned rehabilitation. Well to the Highland Company spokesperson we ask...show us an example of successful rehabilitation of a limestone quarry.
And speaking of rehabilitation, let's remind people of the projected quarry area which sits on the source water area of the Nottawasaga and Grand River systems. Is Highland going to rehabilitate the local wells and rivers as they will also be compromised.
As far as Specialty Crop Designation, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture stated, "In all likelihood, once aggregate extraction begins the special soils, and their unique qualities, will be permanently lost. No amount of rehabilitation and site restoration will restore their productive capabilities."
Nanci Malek
on behalf of NDACT
www.ndact.com