Save Barbers Lake and Long Sault Creek
Opposing the planned Cavanagh gravel pit on the Highland Line
May 5, 2024
May issue of the newsletter
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April 5, 2024
April issue of the newsletter
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March 21, 2024
It’s been one year folks! In that time, we have become aware of the insatiable and relentless encroachment of the aggregate industry into sensitive watersheds and wetlands, not only in Lanark Highlands, but across the province. This expansion would not have been possible a decade ago, but recent changes to provincial policy and legislation have favoured this industry.
Read here about the changes to Conservation Authorities’ oversight, giving advantages to the aggregate developers. Note how the extractive industries have been given priority over local economic development, eco- and agri- tourism, and areas of scientific and and natural interest. In particular, recognize that acknowledgement of climate change is nowhere to be seen.
The Ford government has finally gutted the role of the Conservation Authorities in protecting sensitive ecosystems:
https://thenarwhal.ca/newsletter-ontario-conservation-authorities-changes/
Friends of the Burnt Lands oppose Cavanagh's March Road Quarry Expansion:
https://catalog.ontarionature.org/spring-2024/page/24-
In Caledon, the best use of lands for the greatest benefit to the community is under dispute:
March 21, 2024
The March issue of the newsletter is out
Click on image to download March Newsletter
February 26, 2024
NEW!! For 2024, watch here for a regular newsletter updating you on Friends of Lanark Highlands initiatives. Here’s our February 2024 issue!!
Click on image to download February Newsletter
January 22, 2024
Ontario Auditor General's damning report on aggregate industry confirms local concerns.
A quarry in Puslinch on Thursday, January4th - Mathew McCarthy
Story in the Kitchener Record News
The value for money audit found there isn't enough oversight of the aggregate industry by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and that pit operators often don't follow the rules
By Paige Desmond Reporter Friday, January 5, 2024
A damning report on the aggregate industry released by Ontario's Auditor General in December confirms what many local politicians and residents have been saying for years — the industry is operating without enough oversight and pit operators often skirt the rules.
The value for money audit was conducted between January and August 2023 and involved a comprehensive review of data on the aggregate industry including files at the four district Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry branches and data from The Ontario Aggregate Resource Corporation.
Read More
December 19, 2023
A just-released Auditor General’s report gives a stinging indictment of Ontario's unbridled aggregate sector, and the failure of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to monitor the industry.
Inspections are not done, fines are not collected, and rules are not enforced, says the Auditor General
At the same time, our local concerns around aggregate development on The Highland Line have been shared recently with both Lanark Highlands Township and the County of Lanark. We have pointed out the threat to human health if uniquely high levels of uranium along the Highland Line are disturbed. We have also put the spotlight on the dangers of fine particle sediment washing from pit sites and choking the unevaluated wetlands in the Long Sault Creek Watershed, and adjacent Barbers Lake.
Press Release from the Reform Gravel Mining Coalition - Dec. 18 / 23
Statement from the Reform Gravel Mining Coalition - Dec. 14 / 23
Fact Sheet: The Auditor General’s Report on Gravel Mining in Ontario - Dec. 14 / 23
Value for Money Audit : Management of Aggregate Resources - Dec. 6 / 23 (Auditor General of Ontario - 59 pgs.)
More details to follow in the New Year…..
December 4, 2023
Friends of Lanark Highlands sent a delegation on Tuesday, November 28th 2023 to Lanark Highlands Council, to make a presentation to the Committee of the Whole
We covered four main topics:
the environmental threat posed by the much higher than average uranium content under the sand and gravel on the Highland Line
the threat to all life in Barbers Lake, surrounding wetlands and Long Sault Creek, if fine particle sediment is washed from the aggregate without being captured in a water treatment plant
the shortcomings in the Natural Environment Studies, as detailed by Mark Heaton, the ecologist hired by FoLH
the fact that the Aggregate Inventory mapping for Lanark County, done by the Ontario Geological Survey, acknowledges that less than 35% of the primary resource aggregate deposits the OGS mapped can be developed because of physical, environmental and cultural constraints.
In response to the presentation, Mr. Symon. Township Planner, agreed to forward any material we provide him to officials at Lanark County and the appropriate Ministries. He was sent an extensive resource list the next day.
If you want to see the text of the presentation made to the Committee of the Whole as well as the list of background materials, click on the link below:
November 27, 2023
November 9, 2023
Download a copy of our information handout
Print this out to have information that you can easily hand out to friends and family to keep them informed about the situation on the Highland Line
The Friends of Lanark Highlands are fighting to preserve Ontario’s precious wetlands and creeks
Doug Ford’s latest threat to environmental protections & Ontario’s natural water systems
Rachel Moore The Pointer
Thu, October 19, 2023 at 1:53 p.m. EDT·8 min read
Among the suite of legislative actions taken by the ruling PCs to expedite development projects, changes to the way Ontario handles storm management could create dire environmental consequences in the future.
Continue Writing Letters!
Letters 0f concern are crucial and can still be sent to Lanark Highlands Township, the County of Lanark and to our MPP John Jordon.
Subject: Cavanagh Proposed Highland Line Pit
Township of Lanark Highlands: LHclerk@lanarkhighlands.ca
County of Lanark: info@lanarkcounty.ca
Member of Provincial Parliament John Jordan: John.Jordan@pc.ola.org
Thank you to all who wrote letters of concern to both Phil White, the ARA/MNRF and the Environmental Registry as part of the licence application by Cavanagh. Every letter makes a difference!
Please stay tuned for more news to come!
__________________________________
Proposed Sand and Gravel Pit on the Highland Line just south of McDonald’s Corners (in red)
The other sites in yellow are existing gravel pits. At present, none of these local pits operate below the water table.
For directions - google maps
Cavanagh Construction proposes a huge sand and gravel pit directly on the borders of Barbers Lake
A Class “A” pit operation with excavation below the water table operating 24 hours a day - seven days a week
Only a 30 metre setback from the sensitive wetland shores of Barbers Lake
Crushing, washing, and screening plants with recycling of imported construction waste and asphalt
Licence to remove up to 1,000,000 (one million) tonnes of aggregate annually
Up to 1000 gravel trucks coming and going daily on the Highland Line, and continuing through Lanark Village to points east and south
The technical reports Cavanagh has submitted leave many unanswered questions about: traffic and roads; acoustics; the dark night sky; the impact on springs, aquifers, and wells; the impact on wetlands; loss of habitat and threat to species at risk; pre-contact archaeology; air quality;human health; property values; resource allocation; potential release of on-site uranium; climate change
In short, this proposal is an assault on the environment and the community surrounding McDonald’s Corners
Removal and export of the entire hill forming the western shore of Barbers Lake
Potential destruction of important pre-contact artifacts
Addition of up to 1000 trucks/day on a road rated for a maximum 499 vehicles/day
Loss of wildlife habitat in the vicinity of Barbers Lake and Long Sault Creek
Impact on property values and quality of life for waterfront and haul route communities
Damage to existing and future eco-tourism
Harm to water bodies through warmed water, potential contamination and silt
Threat to residents’ water supply, air quality, peace and well-being
Potential future demands, including a water taking licence, or permission to dewater
Impacts
Misconceptions
This is revenue for the Township!
Lanark Highlands Township gets only 13 cents per tonne of aggregate taken away from the Township forever - in this pit the maximum payout possible would be $130,000 per year, but likely much less - and MUCH MUCH less than the costs of road upgrades, loss of nature-based business and tourism, and the diminished value of properties throughout the area.
Aggregate is necessary for the growth and development of roads, housing and business!
Ontario has 13 times more aggregate than currently needed in already licensed pits
What can you do to help!
Write a letter! Details
Sign the petition to support the cause!
Attend public meetings. See upcoming Events
Become a member of Friends of Lanark Highlands
Join our mailing list to stay up-to-date (see below)
Make a donation to Friends of Lanark Highlands. Our Donation Page
Buy a t-shirt. Contact us
Make all your friends and neighbors aware!
Education, Documents and Technical Reports
Cavanagh Construction web site
Lanark Highlands township web site
Township of Lanark Highlands - Official Plan
Highland Pit Proposal Documents
Ontario Aggregate Mining Sites
Barbers Lake & Long Sault Creek
Stay Informed!
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