Questions continue concerning the validity of studies done on the proposed hidden quarry.
Opponents of the planned quarry near Rockwood have raised concerns about studies done as part of the preliminary process needed by quarry proponent James Dick Construction. The company is seeking an aggregate licence from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and a zoning amendment from Guelph-Eramosa council that will allow it to proceed with the pit which is expected to produce about 700,000 tonnes annually of sand, gravel and dolostone.
The quarry would cover about 25 hectares (61 acres) of the 39 hectare (100 acre) property at the northeast corner of 6th Line and Highway 7.
The Concerned Residents Coalition (CRC), made up of residents living near the site, opposes the quarry and has hired a number of outside experts to challenge the findings of engineering firms hired by the construction company and working for the ministry.
The CRC is concerned about potential water quality and water monitoring on and around the site, the type of bedrock formation that makes up the quarry, the impact from blasting, economic impact on the township and a drop in property values.
It also prompted council to switch its consulting firm for another in April. Council replaced Cuesta Planning Consultants with Macaulay Shiomi Howson Ltd. because of reports about the quarry not being delivered back to council in a “timely” manner.
At its May 20 meeting Garry Hunter of Hunter and Associates, an engineering firm hired by the CRC, reviewed previous study findings. Hunter developed a series of questions raised from his study, including the depth of the extraction from the pit, the type of bedrock, water monitoring, the impact the quarry will have on surrounding wells and setbacks.
Council has already agreed it wants more information on the project before it grants the zoning amendment.
At previous council meetings councillors have also voiced concern about contradictions of other study findings.
“We’ve got stacks of contradictions here,” Councillor Doug Breen said in April of reports the township has received. “We’ve got to get these answers.”
Township CAO Kim Wingrove told council in April the township is compiling a “database” to log concerns raised by the CRC and ensure answers are dealt with quickly.
Mayor Chris White said council is prepared to share all the pertinent information it receives with the public.
