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Thursday, May 23, 2008
FORCE submits comments to MOE regarding draft PTTW for St Marys CBM

FORCE submitted comments to MOE, on behalf of our communities, regarding the draft Permit to Take Water (PTTW) for St Marys CBM as posted on the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) registry in advance of the June 6, 2008 deadline. Read the full FORCE submission (126 KB), Appendix(107 KB) and the expert hydro-geologist report (82 KB).

Thursday, May 23, 2008
Hamilton launches Truck Route Study

The City of Hamilton has started a city–wide study to look at existing trucking routes, traffic patterns, and truck interaction with other modes of transportation, businesses, and residents . The study is being taken to determine if the truck routes need to be changed and if so, how and to where.

The public consultation part of this study will be undertaken in a way that meets the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process because a Municipal Class EA must be done to determine the location of a new route or to confirm the location of an existing one.

To find out more about the project visit www.hamilton.ca/CityDepartments/PublicWorks/TrafficEngineeringAndOperations/TruckRouteStudy.htm and click on "Truck Route Study". Questions, comments or requests to be on the mailing list can be sent to trafaa@hamilton.ca. To speak to someone in person, call Gary Kirchknopf, Senior Project Manager, Traffic Engineering and Operations Section, Public Works, Hamilton at 905-546-2424, ext. 7217.

FORCE will monitor developments in the Truck Route study and make submissions or call for action, as needed, on behalf of our communities.

The first public open house will be held to share existing conditions, the study process and the goal of an efficient movement of goods in and through Hamilton. Issues and opportunities will also be raised. The date, time and location will be:

• Tuesday May 27, 2008, 7 – 8:30 pm, Hamilton Public Works Traffic Operations Centre, 1375 Upper Ottawa Street, Hamilton

Follow-up Public Information Centres where the Study Team will present existing and alternative truck routes will be held on:

• Tuesday June 17, 7 – 8:30 pm with presentation at 7:15 pm, Flamborough Municipal Centre, 163 Dundas Street, Waterdown
• Wednesday, June 18, 7 – 8:30 pm with presentation at 7:15 pm, Glanbrook Municipal Centre, 4280 Glanbrook Road
• Thursday June 19, 7 – 8:30 pm with presentation at 7:15 pm, Stoney Creek City Hall, 777 Hwy #8

Thursday, May 23, 2008
Halton-Hamilton Source Protection Committee to hold public meetings to consult on its draft Terms of Reference

The Halton-Hamilton Source Protection Committee (SPC) is required to develop a Terms of Reference (ToR). The Terms of Reference is important because it will guide the work to be done to prepare required Assessment Reports and Source Protection Plans. It will include a work plan and budget. The ToR must be completed by August 20, 2008 based on the timelines specified by regulation under the Clean Water Act, 2006.

The draft Terms of Reference will be available during the week of May 26. They can be viewed on-line at www.protectingwater.ca (please click on Source Protection Committee tab to download) or in person at the Conservation Halton Administration Office (2596 Britannia Road West, Milton), the Hamilton Conservation Authority Main Office (838 Mineral Springs Road, Ancaster), or at municipal offices within Halton and Hamilton.

Information about the draft Terms of Reference and the source protection planning process will be shared at public information meetings in June:

• Tuesday June 17, 2008, 6 – 9 pm open house with presentation at 7 pm, Dundas Lions Memorial Community Centre, 10 Market Street South, Dundas
• Thursday June 19, 2008, 6 – 9 pm open house with presentation at 7 pm, Conservation Halton Administration Office, 2596 Britannia Road West, Milton

The public is invited to comment on the draft Terms of Reference. FORCE will prepare and submit comments, on behalf of our communities, and make information available to assist supporters who wish to submit comments as well. The deadline for written comments is midnight Thursday July 3, 2008. They may be sent by mail, fax, e-mail or dropped off in person to:

• Halton-Hamilton Source Protection Committee, c/o Mark Thompson, Project Manager, Source Water Protection
• 2596 Britannia Road West, Milton, ON, L9T 2X6
• mthompson@hrca.on.ca
• Fax: 905-854-9220

Wednesday, May 14, 2008- Hamilton Spectator
Anti-quarry group upset Liberals are allowing permit for testing

The anti-quarry group FORCE is angry at the McGuinty government for letting the Ministry of the Environment process a permit for tests in which St. Marys Cement would pump millions of litres of water a day from the aquifer supplying Carlisle municipal wells.

Despite calls on the Liberal government to halt further consideration of St. Marys' proposed quarry on Milburough Line at 11th Concession East, the ministry is inviting public comment until June 6 on draft terms of the permit.

Read the Full Article (37 KB)

Tuesday, May 13, 2008
- Community Reminder - Stop the Quarry Lawn Signs

As you dust of your lawn chairs and take out your mower, if you stored your lawn sign for the winter, don't forget to pull it out and visibly show your opposition to the proposed St Marys Cement Flamborough Quarry.

If your sign was damaged by weather or destroyed by a passing snow plow, you can request a new sign by emailing info@stopthequarry.ca or go to our "Request a Lawn Sign" page.

Monday, May 12, 2008 - Flamborough Review
Community reacts to draft PTTW for Mountsberg quarry

Flamborough area residents are going to the top in making their concerns known about the draft Permit To Take Water (PTTW) posted Wednesday on the provincial government environmental bill of rights (ebr) website. Encouraged by a "call to action" by FORCE (Friends of Rural Communities and the Environment), a grassroots citizen’s group opposed to the planned St. Marys Flamborough Quarry, residents are voicing their concerns about the PTTW directly to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.

Apart from reiterating concerns about the impact on their drinking water of the proposed quarry and its temporary PTTW to test an unproven and theoretical groundwater recirculation system, they are also protesting the prospect that the testing will be allowed during the summer months.

Read the Full Article (84 KB)

Friday, May 9, 2008 - Flamborough Review
MOE orders cleanup at proposed St. Marys quarry site

As a result of a site visit to the St. Marys Cement property in northeast Flamborough on April 24, Ministry of the Environment (MOE) officials have ordered the aggregate company to remove solid non-hazardous waste from various areas of the site.

The waste includes shingles, empty drums and miscellaneous plastic and metal debris.

Jennifer Hall, regional communications advisor for the West Central Region of the MOE located in Hamilton, confirmed this week that no hazardous waste was found on the 11th Concession Road East site.

Read the Full Article (36 KB)

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 -
Community Call to Action - DRAFT PTTW CONSULTATION

THANK YOU for coming out to the April 16th public meeting about the proposed Permit to Take Water (PTTW) for St Marys CBM and showing our Community’s continued opposition to this proposed quarry and to the proposed test. Please find below the latest update on the PTTW and what you can do to help.

MOE POSTS DRAFT PTTW FOR CONSULTATION

On Wednesday May 7, 2008, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) posted a draft PTTW on the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) for consultation. The draft PTTW spells out the specific terms and conditions planned for St Marys CBM to test its unproven and theoretical groundwater recirculation pumping system to attempt to mitigate the unacceptable impacts of the proposed Flamborough quarry. The draft PTTW has been posted for 30 days.

You can find the draft PTTW by going to the EBR Website and search using Registry Number #010-3469.

FORCE WILL PREPARE A COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO THE DRAFT PTTW

The draft PTTW has been provided to FORCE’s hydrogeology expert and he will review it and write a formal report to be included as part of a submission, on behalf of the Community.

Once feedback from the hydrogeologist has been received, FORCE will provide a draft letter for use by FORCE supporters. Please watch for community alert updates and be ready to send in your comments on the specific terms and conditions of the draft PTTW to MOE before the 30 day deadline.

E-MAIL/FAX THE MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT NOW TO VOICE CONCERNS

We do know that the terms and conditions of the draft PTTW carry some surprises for our Community. One big surprise is that MOE is proposing to allow a summer test despite the assurances given to us at the April 16th public meeting that summer testing would not be permitted.

Tell Environment Minister John Gerretsen, Premier McGuinty, and our local MPP, Ted McMeekin what you think NOW.

Tell them about your personal concerns for our drinking water and this proposed quarry.

Tell them what you think about St Marys being allowed to pump millions of litres of water out of the aquifer during the summer when Carlisle residents must endure water restrictions and rural residents are asked to cut back water use by the conservation authorities.

Ask them to take action to protect our drinking water. Ask them to let the Halton/Hamilton Source Protection Committee do its work first.

E-mail or fax the Minister at:

Hon John Gerretsen, Minister of the Environment

Email: john.gerretsen@ontario.ca

Fax: 416-314-6748

CC the Premier, our local MPP and FORCE at:

Premier Dalton McGuinty

Email: Due to a technical issues with the supplied email address for Premier McGuinty, the Hon. Ted McMeekin's office has agreed to send copies of all email/fax concerns directly o the Premier's office. You may also choose to copy and paste your concerns into the Premier's online form at http://www.premier.gov.on.ca/feedback/feedback.asp

Fax: 416-325-7578

Hon Ted McMeekin, MPP (Ancaster,Dundas,Flamborough,Westdale)

Email: tmcmeekin.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

Fax: 905-690-6562

FORCE

Email: info@stopthequarry.ca

Fax: 905-659-5416

Read the FORCE Press Release (48 KB)

Together We Will Succeed!

Monday, May 5, 2008
Ontario's Greenbelt is a role model for the World

A study called "Ontario's Greenbelt in an International Context" reveals that Ontario's Greenbelt is a model for the world based on its vast land base and the strong government and civic support that it has. The study was written by Maureen Carter-Whitney for the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law & Policy (CIELAP) as part of the Friends of the Greenbelt Occasional Paper Series. Read the Globe & Mail article (41 KB).

Read the full study at GreenbeltInternationalContext.pdf (3 MB).

Monday, May 5, 2008
FORCE provides feedback on Greenbelt Expansion Criteria

On behalf of our Community, FORCE provided feedback to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing on April 30th, 2008 regarding proposed criteria to expand the Greenbelt. The proposed criteria have been designed to ensure that expansions to the Greenbelt are supported at the municipal level and represent sound science and policy. FORCE supports the expansion criteria, in principle, but noted that greater flexibility is required with respect to a criteria specifying that expansions must be "next to" the existing Greenbelt. FORCE also made the argument that there is more the McGuinty government should be doing to protect the environmental integrity, source waters and agricultural lands within the boundaries of the existing Greenbelt. Defense of the current Greenbelt is required as strongly as criteria for its expansion. Read details in the full submission (117 KB).

Monday, May 5, 2008
FORCE submits comments to CART regarding St Marys latest hydrogeology work plan

On behalf of our Community, FORCE has submitted comments to CART regarding St Marys latest version of its hydrogeology work plan dated March 2008. It remains the position of our Community that we are opposed to the proposed aggregate development. We also believe that the proposed test of its unproven and theoretical groundwater recirculation pumping system to mitigate the unacceptable impacts of the proposed quarry is premature. The work of the Halton/Hamilton Source Protection Committee should be done first. Read the full details in the FORCE hydrogeology work plan cover letter (40 KB) and in the INTERA hydrogeology work plan report (81 KB).

Thursday, May 1, 2008 - Halton Compass
McCarthy says St Marys' site visit confirms contamination

An April 24 site inspection with the Ministry of the Environment officials present confirms that there is still contamination at the St Marys' site, according to Flamborough Councillor Margaret McCarthy.

Read the Full Article (222 KB)

Thursday, April 24, 2008 - Halton Compass
Flamborough Councillor says St Marys' site contaminated

Flamborough Councillor Margaret McCarthy confronted St Mary's Cements vice president John Moroz at an April 16 public meeting, alleging that there were contaminants on the 158-acre proposed quarry site, located northwest of the 11th Concession and Milburough Line.

Read the Full Article (275 KB)

Thursday, April 17, 2008 Hamilton Spectator
Crowd applauds bid to crush quarry plan

Hundreds of people jumped to their feet last night to applaud an appeal to the Ontario government to stop consideration of a huge limestone quarry proposed by St. Marys Cement.

Graham Flint, chair of the anti-quarry group FORCE, drew the applause when he said, "We call on the McGuinty government to step in and put an end to the waste of time and energy by all agencies involved ... put an end to this entire quarry application process."

Read the Full Article (33 KB)

Thursday, April 17, 2008 Flamborough Review
Water concerns take limelight

Premier Dalton McGuinty has been asked to "step up to the plate" and protect the water in the Mountsberg/Campbellville area by quashing a quarry plan proposed by St. Marys Cement.

Anti-quarry leader Graham Flint has made the plea before but when he repeated it Wednesday night at a community meeting in Carlisle, an overflow crowd rose to its feet and loudly applauded. The partisan crowd of over 300, composed of residents in northeast Flamborough as well as the nearby Campbellville area, delivered a strong message to St. Marys and Ministry of Environment (MOE) officials.

Read the Full Article (84 KB)

Monday, March 31, 2008
Community Alert - St Marys Cement Public Information Meeting - April 16th

St Marys Cement has announced they will be holding a Public Information Meeting regarding their application for a Permit to Take Water (PTTW) to test their unproven Groundwater Circulation System (GRS). The meeting will be held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Elementary School on Wednesday April 16 at 7:30 pm.

Presentations include representatives from St Marys Cement, the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and other invited stakeholders. Following the presentations will be a question and answer period.

We encourage all residents to attend.

St Marys Cement PTTW Information Meeting
April 16, 2008
7:30pm
1624 Centre Road, Freelton, Ontario

Wednesday, March 26, 2008 Hamilton Spectator
Process for dealing with quarries flawed: Miller

Backwards provincial planning is one reason the cumbersome approval process for new quarries is skewed toward the gravel industry.

Gord Miller, Ontario's environment commissioner, said yesterday planners decide where millions of people will live and what highways they will need before considering what natural areas should be protected. They ought to decide where the aggregate for roads and concrete will come from first.

Read the Full Article (55 KB)

Friday, March 21, 2008 Flamborough Review
St. Marys, residents discuss concerns

In the wake of a strong advocacy campaign mounted by a citizen's group and a local councillor opposed to a quarry application for northeast Flamborough, St. Marys Cement is taking steps to allay public concerns.

The aggregate company held a drop-in information centre at its site office on 11th Concession Road East on Tuesday, inviting nearby residents to meet one-on-one with professionals who will conduct a pumping test on the property, if the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) grants a temporary Permit to Take Water (PTTW) to St. Marys.

The PTTW application, submitted in October 2006, has been vehemently opposed by FORCE (Friends of Rural Communities and the Environment), a grassroots citizen's group that has been fighting the quarry proposal ever since it was unveiled four years ago.

Read the Full Article (39 KB)

Community Alert

St Marys Cement Pumping Test Letter

Residents near the site of the proposed St Marys Cement CBM Flamborough Quarry may have recently received a letter from St Marys. The letter discusses St Marys’ plan to conduct pumping tests on the site and includes a request for residents to participate in a voluntary well monitoring program. This is the testing that we as a community have been objecting to since the fall of 2006 because of the large amounts of groundwater involved and the resulting potential negative impacts.

At this point in time, FORCE is recommending that residents do not make any final decisions about joining the private well monitoring program.

Before St Marys can conduct their tests they need to be issued a Permit To Take Water (PTTW) from the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and that permit has not been issued. As a community we have expressed our concerns over the nature and scale of the proposed testing and so has the Public Health Department and the City of Hamilton. As a result the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) is proceeding in a very thorough and cautious manner.

At this time we do not know what kind, or if any, testing may be approved. We do not know what the testing protocols might be nor do we know what associated controls on the testing may be required from the MOE. Until that information is available, we feel it would be premature for anyone who may be impacted by St Marys’ proposed testing to agree to any private well monitoring.

We also remind the Community that allowing St Marys to monitor private well assists them in preparing their case for approval of the proposed Flamborough Quarry. FORCE is on record as recommending that St Marys provide their own sentry wells along the perimeter of their lands to monitor for impacts. There is no need for the Community to allow their private wells to be part of St Marys’ research activities.

Finally, there are inherent risks for contamination and well failure every time a well is opened and disturbed. Given the criticality of our private wells in supporting our families and businesses at this point in time we see no reason to incur those risks in order to assist St Marys.

FORCE will continue to monitor the PTTW application process and the pump testing plans and will provide further details once the details of any testing are known.

Thursday, March 13, 2008 Flamborough Review
Hamilton asks Province to protect water near St. Mary's application

A motion by Flamborough Councillor Margaret McCarthy asking the Province to protect the water near the proposed St. Mary's quarry received unanimous support from her fellow councillors at the February 27 council meeting.

Read the Full Article (697 KB)

Friday, March 7, 2008
Ontario Environment Commissioner to speak in Hamilton March 25

Councillor Margaret McCarthy has forwarded the following announcement:

Gord Miller, Environment Commissioner for Ontario will be appearing at the Hamilton Convention Centre on March 25th at 1:00 p.m. Albion Rooms, second floor. He will be addressing Hamilton City Council and talk about the need to reconcile conflicting land uses as we plan. He thinks source water and natural features are key priorities for protection. One of the examples he will talk about is the proposed St. Marys Quarry on the 11th concession in Flamborough.

Support from the Environment Commissioner is welcome indeed, knowing that Gord Miller's message lends support and credence to Council ' s most recent Motion calling on the Provincial Government to have regard for adverse impacts on rural Flamborough's drinking water system, and to fully consider potential ramifications of the development prior to the issuance of any provincial permits.

Gord Miller's message further supports a 2006 Motion passed by Hamilton City Council which called on staff to independently update old aggregate maps still being used by the Ministry of Natural Resources. Knowing that new maps would identify incompatible land uses in, on, and around the potential quarry site on the 11th concession further speaks to the message that Environment Commissioner Miller has been petitioning for.

Please plan to attend this event and lend your support to the growing number of voices that confirm what our community has known all along, that this is not the location for a quarry - for all the reasons previously known, and now being exposed.

Our numbers, our voices = our power!

Read Councillor McCarthy's Press Release... (139 KB)

Friday, March 7, 2008 Flamborough Review
Protect, prevent - Margaret McCarthy, Council Notes

Turning on the tap and having plentiful, safe drinking water is something that most of us take for granted.

Imagine, if you will, worrying about that basic need on a daily basis for years, with no known end in sight. It's a situation that seems ridiculous in this country, especially in light of the strict controls implemented following the Walkerton tragedies to protect groundwater sources.

Read the Full Article (93 KB)

Friday, March 7, 2008 Flamborough Review
City seeks to protect water

Hamilton city council has joined Carlisle area residents in asking the Ontario government for assurances that groundwater will be protected from potential adverse impacts associated with the proposed St. Marys Flamborough quarry.

Last week, council gave unanimous support to a motion presented by Ward 15 councillor Margaret McCarthy asking the province to "fully consider the potential ramifications of the proposed development and "require a formal review by the Halton/Hamilton Source Protection Committee, as part of the local source protection process."

Read the Full Article (34 KB)

Wednesday, March 5, 2008 Halton Compass
Hamilton asks Province to protect water near St. Mary's application

A motion by Flamborough Councillor Margaret McCarthy asking the Province to protect the water near the proposed St. Mary's quarry received unanimous support from her fellow councillors at the February 27 council meeting.

Citing the Province's Clean Water Act, created after the Walkerton poisoned water tragedy some years ago, McCarthy ask the Province to "require a formal review by the Halton/Hamilton Source Protection Authority, as part of the local source protection process" before issuing any permits to St. Mary's.

Read the Full Article (285 KB)