Monitoring
Rock Without the Quarry
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Latest News
- Thurs., Apr. 19, 2012
Flamborough Review
FORCE continues to dig in for battles with SMC - Thurs., Mar. 15, 2012
Flamborough Review Cabinet minister may testify at quarry’s judicial review - Thurs., Mar. 8, 2012
Hamilton Spectator
Carlisle quarry spurs new legal battle - Fri., Feb. 24, 2012
Flamborough Review
SMC continues to seek permit - Thurs., Jan. 19, 2012
Flamborough Review
Tribunal upholds St Marys PTTW decision
Community Comments
Sample of comments from local residents submitted to the website
"Having only just moved into the area we are distressed to learn of the plans. Our prime reason for purchasing our property was to maintain and protect it as an important part of the watershed. We are already working with local conservation agencies to ensure the property continues to play its part in the bigger picture. To have such an environmentally destructive plan before us is quite simply unbelievable.
All the research we did prior to moving into the area suggested that conservation, preservation, and restoration, of the environment, watershed, and escarpement, were the key regional objectives. I entirely fail to see how the Lowndes proprosal fits in the regional plan. I would be glad to register my protest and support you in any way I can and will be sending you a cheque for $500."
"I am very impressed with FORCE's work in fighting this quarry proposal.I moved into this community 15 years ago and I really enjoy my life here.I'm retired now and love to spend my time in the garden,walking and cycling the the local roads and generally enjoying the peaceful surroundings and friendly people. All of this is being threatened...our safety on the roads,our water supply,our natural heritage,our peaceful quality of life,our hard earned investment in our home.
I want to invest some time and energy to fight this quarry proposal. I am very skeptical of the self-serving quarrymaker and his mitigating solutions to all/any problems. I want to make a positive contribution."
"I believe that you represent the overwhelming majority of the citizens of this area. A sleeping giant is on the verge of awakening - every added voice brings that day closer. I know you are passionate about this cause and probably don't need motivation to continue, but wanted to add my voice to the cheering section.
While this cause is of extreme importance, it is but one battle in an elongated conflict to preserve our rural heritage and the quality of life in our community. The time has come that we send a clear message to the proponents of growth for growths sake and all their residual and accessorial accomplices (e.g. the Quarry) that they are in for the fight of their lives.
In the mean time, my letter writing campaign on the theme of "Growth" will continue in earnest. I have submitted a request for a lawn sign - or two and will be sending a contribution your way. I will try to do this on an ongoing basis as things heat up.
Please keep going - and again, sincere thanks for your efforts."
"Three years ago we moved from central Toronto to this area (we live four kilometers from the proposed quarry) after performing an extensive search over a wide geographical area for a suitable area to live in. We visited many communities, but time after time we found ourselves coming back to the communities around Campbellville, Kilbride and Carlisle. The main drawing cards were the tranquility, nature conservation, hiking trails and the fact that we could live in a forest next to a nature conservation area.
Since we came to live here, we also became aware that there are ecologically sensitive systems, including provincially significant wetlands right on our doorstep. We have the satisfaction of seeing wild animals and every spring we have the joy of seeing endangered plant species thriving on our property. We have found a warm and welcoming community here and we met so many people who share the same principles and care for the environment. We are delighted to see streams of visitors coming from far away during summer weekends to see and explore the natural wonders of our area and to participate in the events in our community.
We and the generations to come have much to lose if the quarry operation proposed by Lowndes Holdings is allowed to continue. Sensitive environmental systems will be adversely impacted and the liveability of the surrounding areas will be greatly reduced. Hard working families would loose decades of investments into properties that have been a source of pride and joy.
It is needless to say this, but we are strongly opposed to the Lowndes application."
"Having grown up accross the road from a quarry, I know first hand what life will be like if Lowndes Holding Corp. is allowed to go ahead with this proposed quarry. The noise, the dust, the heavy and dangerous traffic which our roads can't even handle. Just try to pull out of your driveway in the morning without having the nose of your car demolished or try to turn into your driveway at night with a gravel truck so close on your tail, that you know they can't possibly see your turn signals, so if you value your life, you decide to bypass your driveway, turn around somewhere safe and try it again from the other direction. I have had to do this on numerous occasions.
I was told, that I would get used to hearing these huge trucks banging around (especially, when they are empty) driving over bad roads. And we know only too well how bad the roads in our area are. Well, after 12 years of living there, I never did get used to the noise and the dust was positively choking on some days.
My husband and I bought this property a number of years ago and have lived in the house we built ourselves and dreamed of for many years. Our property has been designated as being "environmentally sensitive" and we are severely limited as to what we are allowed to do here, even though we own the land. So how does someone like Mr. Lowndes get away with coming into our neighbourhood, only one concession away from us, and he is allowed to start a quarry. Is this the old adage of "money talks" again? We are not even allowed to clear our ditch of the silt that washes in and yet Lowndes is allowed to quarry 380 acres? How is this possible?
It will be bad enough to put up with all the heavy traffic, our roads being even more torn apart, the noise and the dust, but if this affects our water table, and the odds are pretty good that it will, what will happen to all of us living here? I am not content with Mr. Lowndes assurances that our water will not be affected, and if by some chance that something does happen, that he has a contingency fund set aside to help us out. The onus would probably be on us citizens to prove that our water was affected by the quarry before we could even apply for help! I for one am not content to live off of bottled water when my current supply is both plentiful and very good.
To sit back and watch 15 years of hard work to make our house and property what it is today, only to have it devalued by this quarry, is absolutely heart breaking.... ...This is really sad!"
"Thank you for the excellent presentation... ...loss of our green space is a huge concern for me - I will not sit idle and allow it to be taken - I realize now I have had zero input into the direction of the development of the Nelson Quarry quarry - Not anymore"
"I thought that we had put an end to the robber barrons of the 19th century. What is most concerning about this proposal is that it is hard to imagine a worse location for a quarry than the proposed site. There is something fundamentally wrong when someone feels it is perfectly OK to purchase and develop a small parcel of land in a manner which will severely impact the natural environment of many thousands of hectares and destroy the quality of life for the thousands of families that live there."
"We find this totallly unacceptable from many points of view- first and foremost from an environmental and ecological point of view- this would be absolutely devavstoing to the land and the people living in the area as well as the wildlife and serenity of life- one of the biggest reason most of us bought in the area and we are all ADAMANT to keep it that way."
"I do NOT want to see a quarry ruin what is a beautiful and sensitive area. Quarries do not belong in this kind of an area, and they do not belong in an area that is as highly populated as this one is."
"We paid a high price for a small home and the thought of trucks rolling through our new community sickens me, the thought of losing land value, enrages me and the thought of our environment being harmed (water table) Kills me."
"I do not want the quarry to be a reality, and I hope that it never happens."
"We are ready to fight....and wrote the check accordingly....prior to you even having a name to write it to...."
"More big trucks on Centre Rd. should NOT be allowed! Also, I am very, very concerned for the environment and especially, the water table. I have a private well and CANNOT afford to drill another deeper one. My home is approximately 130 years old and I doubt it would stand up to years of vibrations from blasting."
"More truck traffic creates more of a saftey hazard for our children, including noise, pollution and flying debrese. We have enough quarry's in this area and we don't need anymore. We already have to many drivers not stopping for our school busses and our children are in danger of being hit by vehicles as it is..."
"My home is quite close to the road. I can't imagine the unbearable noise and dust that a huge quarry on the 11th concession would create."
"It would be a shame to have these narrow, peaceful, tree lined roads clogged with large , menacing gravel tractor trailers. The danger to cyclists is clearly apparent. The roads are simply not wide enough for these rigs, and speaking from experience gravel truck drivers do not offer cyclists much courtesy."
"We are very upset...You can count on our support."
"We are pledging $500 to help stop this quarry ."
"The centre of town houses several stores which are frequented by the local children on their bicycles or on foot during these summer holidays. We don't want to see a single accident as a result of this needless recklessness."
"We have too much to lose, and no time to waste. Let's do what it takes to eliminate the threat and quickly. I would like to get involved."
"Apart from making monetary contributions and putting up a sign, what else can I do to help?"
"I may not be able to assist you financially, but I'll do whatever I can to help you in your efforts."
"Please contact me as I would like to offer my services to help any way I can with delivering flyers etc. and canvassing. I have never done any canvassing work ever but will attend the meetings that are offered to learn."
"Wildlife habitat values are excellent given that this parcel of land encompassed by the Milborough Line, 11th Conc., Centre Road & Mountsberg Road contain a wild pack of coyotes, an abundance of deer, and serve as habitat for an array of birds including turkey vultures, warblers, woodcocks, orioles, etc."
"....as I recall a fully loaded gravel truck is the same as 30,000 passes of a car...."
"We are appalled that this good be happening in such a clandistine manner. We don't remember seeing any notices posted when we have passed by this area... "
"I would like to offer my time and energy to help your organization reach its worthy goal."
"I live in Carlisle and would like to understand how I can participate?"
"You can count me in on this fight !! "
"I hope to be able to contribute to defeating this proposed quarry operation."
"I am a retired person who would be glad to assist in this very worthwhile battle."