In March 2013 when the proposed Hidden Quarry application to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) was first announced, many residents of Acton, Milton, Rockwood, Eden Mills and Guelph-Eramosa wrote formal letters of objection to James Dick Construction Ltd. (JDCL) and MNRF. Since then, the Concerned Residents Coalition (CRC) has followed the process closely.
Recently, these residents received a letter outlining the status of the quarry plans and a formal “Notice of Objector Response” from JDCL. The Aggregate Resources Act allows 20 days for objectors on record to review the material sent by the applicant and to respond to both applicant and Ministry with “recommendations that may resolve the objections.”
Other residents of the area received letters with the same letter from JDCL. These recipients may not have completed the formal objection process, and therefore, may not respond officially.
Any resident who did make a formal objection in March 2013 and has not received a notice from JDCL should contact Greg Sweetnam at 905-857-3500 immediately.
The notice specifies both a 20-day response period and a Feb. 12 deadline for responses. Most residents who objected two years ago did not receive a letter until Jan. 26 or later, and some have not yet received one. The CRC therefore challenges the deadline specified on the Notice since in most cases residents will not have had the required 20 days to respond.
The JDCL letter proposes that all concerns about the proposed Hidden Quarry have been addressed, in spite of the fact that several studies are outstanding, including studies on Economic Impact, Agricultural Impact and Haul Routes. In CRC’s assessment of the proposal, several more serious concerns remain including a thorough analysis of the potential impacts of blasting in karst geology and on homes in close proximity and a complete study of potential impacts of the proposed pit and quarry on the fish and fish habitat of Brydson Creek just south of the proposed site.
