MARYHILL GRAVEL PIT PROPOSED BY CAPITOL PAVING HEADED TOWARDS A FIGHT

Of course all the laws, rules and regulations highly favour proponents of new gravel pits, not the nearby residents who have lived, worked and contributed to the community often for decades. Steve Kannon of the Woolwich Observer has in the past referred to the Ontario Aggregate Resources Act as a cudgel, hammering citizens' complaints and concerns into the dust. Yesterday's Observer carried the following story also written by Mr. Kannon titled "Maryhill residents gear up for a gravel pit showdown". For the record both the former Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) and its' sucessor the Local Area Planning Tribunal (LPAT) have substantially favoured proponents versus citizens/residents for decades. ........................................................................................................................................ Former councillor Bonnie Bryant is one of the local citizens objecting to the proposed pit outside Maryhill as it is so close to the village itself, homes, businesses and farms. There is also a nearby gravel pit causing cumulative negative effects. Capitol paving are leasing the land and allegedly the farmer will farm the land before and after each phase (5 of them). Of course there is the old saw that the land will be restored to prime farmland after excavation. That nonsense was well illustrated to be impossible by soil experts at the proposed Hunder Pit between Conestog and Winterbourne a few years ago. Bacteria, fungi and other microbial life helpful to crop production develop over decades in situ. Removing topsoil and putting it in a pile for a lengthy periodtotally disrupts the capability and viability of these lifeforms. ................................................................................................................... To date Woolwich's Planning Department are in support of the proposed pit suggesting that all the proponent funded studies are in order and that mitigation of negative effects will be acceptable. Council meets virtually this Tuesday and citizen Delegates (Virtual) are hoping to convince Council otherwise. This proposed pit is simply Same Old b/s, Same OLd b/s. It's a dance with the results intentionally rigged by the province. Yes there have been a couple of surprise victories over the years such as the refusal of the Hunder Pit as well as the refusal of the proposed gravel pit in West Montrose. That too as I recall was a Capitol Paving project.