JIGS HOLLOW PIT

Today's Woolwich Observer (not on-line yet) has a Letter to the Editor from Victoria Lomax of Conestogo. While I totally agree with her comments regarding both a loss of habitat for wildlife and the quality of decades later rehabilitation; it is the sad truth that if the Ontario Municipal Board gives zero weight to the arguments, facts and research of human residents of the area; you can rest assurred that wildlife don't even make the top fifty concerns.

Ms. Lomax is congratulating the call for a legal challenge to the OMB decision, by local residents. She also points out a nearby comparison of gravel pit rehabilitation, namely the Wildwood Gravel Pit near Stratford. Currently the OMB process is heavily weighted and slanted in favour of money, developers and growth. I am sure that eventually we will see greater weighing of wildlife, natural environment and nearby residents. Unfortunately the history and nature of human beings is such that this will only occur when we are facing an imminent disaster whether climate change, air pollution or loss of food producing land. Politicians in particular are not leaders but followers. They will sincerely jump on the environmental bandwagon the day after 60% or more of the population say enough is enough.