Well here we are, David VS Goliath, US vs Canada, Conservatives vs Greens, MONEY vs Quality of LIFE.
Stephen Harper where have you been....? The people of Dufferin County who you are supose to be representing need your help! and Fast if I might add. Your friends in the US want to.....hold on. For all of you who don't know what I'm talking about lets go back in history to understand the issue.
Many of you may not have heard that a US based multi-billion dollar corp. bought up 7,000+ acres of exceptionally good quality farmland in South Central Ontario's Dufferin County.
Originally stating it was to be the biggest potato farming operation in ON.
However as it turns out , the US company lied to the residents and the project is really a 2,300+ acre, 200+ ft. deep open pit limestone mine.
Their application was recently submitted to the Ministry of Natural Resources.
It will take 40+ yrs. to complete the project, meanwhile the repercussions of this mine could (and likely will) seriously and adversely affect the water, the landscape, the community, surrounding agriculture land use, and with the potential to cause disastrous environmental scenarios for decades.
It is potentially devastating not only for those in the Dufferin county but for all of Ontario.
This land is our legacy and these farmers are our suppliers. Letters of objection to the proposal are critically important and urgent, they can be sent by anyone.
This effects EVERYONE, take the time to research and help by voicing your concerns. Your concerns need to be addressed.
Please take a moment to consider our future and act. Letters of objection must be signed and contain your return mailing address and be mailed or delivered to both the
Ministry of Natural Resources,
2284 Nursery Road,
Midhurst Ontario LOL 1X0
AND
The Highland Companies,
Box 377, Shelburne, ON L0N 1S0
Letters must be received by both the MNR and Highlands by April 26, 2011.
So now we are here on Easter Weekend Taking it to OTTAWA.......
It even made the 740 Am Zoomer Radio Radio Listen Here
Farmers, ranchers and First Nations groups embarked on a 115-kilometre trek to Melancthon Township on Friday to show their opposition to a “mega quarry” planned for the region.
The group departed on foot from Queen’s Park, where roughly 200 people had gathered to discuss the project’s potentially negative impact on the region’s water, farming and quality of life.
Signs protesting the development were affixed to people, bicycles and dogs.
“It’s going to be the second-largest quarry in North America — (61) metres below the water line,” said Mark Calzavara from the Council of Canadians. “That’s deeper than Niagara Falls ... the community is dead-set against it.”
The application for the project, put forward by The Highland Companies, says the limestone quarry planned for Dufferin County will use 600 million litres of groundwater every day, Calzavara said.
“The effect on the water is our main concern,” he said. “It’s also going to destroy some farmland. We need some time to examine it.”
The Highland Companies, owned by a hedge fund in Boston, wants to dig the quarry on 930 hectares of farmland in Melancthon Township in the Hills of Headwaters, located 115 kilometres northwest of Toronto and just outside of Shelburne.
Natalie Kotyk and Carl Cosack, who own a cattle and horse ranch in a neighbouring township, say there are “a litany of issues with this project.”
“The water is going to end up being recirculated and then we get to drink recirculated quarry water,” said Kotyk, as she stood beside her Clydesdale thoroughbred horse, Charlie.
“I just can’t imagine leaving the responsibility of our environment ... to a bunch of people we know are into this investment for their shareholders.”
Kotyk and Cosack also run Rawhide Adventures, an agri-tourism business.
“People come from the city to enjoy our neighbourhood,” Kotyk said. “With all that blasting, our lives could certainly change.”
Dave Vander Zaag, a potato farmer who lives across from the proposed site, said, “We just need to remember it’s not about the big money and influence.
“It’s about our quality of life.”
The group plans to walk for five days, while taking breaks for meals and rest.
Their final destination is a potato farm north of Shelburne.
Allison Cross Staff Report - The Toronto Star
