An excerpt from a blog showing what can happen....in Ontario....
To my friends who are fighting against the Mega Quarry
With what has happened concerning my small stand against what happened to my wife and myself I only wish to say.
From the moment that my dear late wife and I began to complain about the gravel pit, where are home was located we were met with total unwillingness to help. I still remember the propaganda offered in their own brochures put out by the MNR. We asked the MNR in a polite and civil way if we could find some ground where both parties could find a solution to our complaint. That was met with unwillingness to do anything. In wanting to sell the right away that separated two pits we stated our objection and views. We asked the township for an environmental assessment which we were denied. We spoke directly to the gravel pit owner who assured us he would mitigate the dust, he did nothing. After my wife died I called Kingston MOE twice, I never received a return call. I sent a letter to Premier McGuinty I received a reply that stated"Mr. Cressey, my colleagues and I continue to echo our belief that our province’s high quality of life and sustainable economic growth are contingent upon strong environmental protection. That is why it is a priority of this government. We understand that all Ontarians deserve to live and work in clean, safe communities – communities in which the environment contributes to our health and well-being."
The Ministry of the Environment stated"The photographs and videos of the quarry that you provided, along with your wife’s journal entries have been helpful in understanding the conditions at the site during the time of your concerns. As you may know this quarry is licenced by the MNR and must comply with several licencing conditions including a requirement to manage dust."
The MNR’s response reminded the operator of his obligations under the aggregate resources act and the environmental protection act.
I objected to that decision and filed an affidavit . Stating that we were given assurances by the gravel pit owner that he would mitigate the dust.
A crusher was put in front of our home that just sent us into total insanity with noise and dust.
The Township refused in any way to deal with the complaint we were told" they can do anything they want from 6:00 am. till 9:00 pm"
It has been two years now since my wife passed away and in that time all that was ever done was a charge of failing to have a Certificate of Authorization to crush on this site. The outcome of that was a plea bargain with the MNR Prosecutor which resulted in "The MNR prosecutor reviewed all your video/photo evidence and as you know,, there was a plea agreement made prior to court which resulted in Crains' Construction Ltd pleading guilty and was fined $1000.00. Thanks for your evidence and willingness to be a witness....
Entire blog here:
http://deathanddustmystory.blogspot.com/p/to-my-friends-who-are-fighting-against.html
Sad evidence that we can't expect others to look after our best interests and what nightmare might ensue if this mega-quarry gets approved. Individual Ontarians cannot fight the MNR but together we have a chance!
ReplyDeleteMr. Kressey's incredibly frustrating and ultimately heartbreaking experience must be foremost in our minds as we battle the mega quarry. Although the very idea of a 2300 acre, 200 foot deep hold in the ground that threatens our water, our health, and our future SEEMS like a bizarre concept, our government WILL let let it go through unless we citizens successfully shame politicians into doing the right thing. Maybe money talks, but we have powerful voices and we'll keep making noise. A LOT of it. And if we get tired and weary, we'll think of Ken's wife and yell LOUDER....
ReplyDelete