The Hills of Erin Residents Protection Association recently held a meeting in opposition to the proposed St. Mary’s Cement (CBM) aggregate expansion at its pit along Trafalgar Road north of Hillsburgh.
The meeting was chaired by resident Connie Cox.
CBM has applied for a Category 1, Class “A” License for the aggregate pit on Trafalgar Road, West Part Lot 29 and Part Lot 30, Concession 8, in the Town of Erin. The proposed expansion includes below-the-water-table extraction.
Cox outlined what she said were the possible issues facing the community and environment, including:
– cumulative effect of increased dust, which is a health hazard, and an increase in noise level;
– increased public health and safety issues due to additional truck traffic through Hillsburgh and through a public school zone;
– potential challenges to lifestyles and loss of property values;
– animal health issues as a result of additional dust and diesel fume pollution;
– the fish hatchery could be impacted through water temperature variation;
– a loss of 123 acres of valuable agricultural land as well as a loss of 12 acres of mature forest and animal habitat (the total area to be licensed is 153 acres with 123 acres proposed for extraction);
– the proposed operation includes aggregate extraction both above and below the water table and the site plan includes three different areas to the south; and
– the community could experience an impact on its well water and wetlands.
It was suggested during the meeting that water temperature and flow may already be affected as a result of the Strada Aggregate pit mining below the water table on the next concession, at Part of West Half Lot 28, Concession 9, in the Town of Erin.
There was discussion noting that no aggregate policies are in place in Erin, such as those in neighbouring Caledon. It was felt that this should be remedied within Wellington County.
One local resident, who was a speaker at the meeting, mentioned he had posed questions to the Town of Erin, approximately six years ago, prior to purchasing his property and was told the area currently proposed for expansion by the CBM Aggregate pit was deemed a greenbelt area.
He also indicated the spray from the gravel trucks “can be absolutely blinding.” He expressed concern about the gravel truck traffic in town, which could increase significantly if the proposed expansion is approved.
A discussion took place regarding the proposal to extract aggregate below the water table. Attendees were advised the Ministry of Natural Resources makes the final decision regarding these extraction applications.
Extensive fundraising initiatives were also discussed at length. Organizers of the meeting are asking anyone seeking more information to contact hillsoferin@gmail.com.
submitted by Mary Ellen Koroscil, a member of the Hills of Erin Residents Protection Association
