FRIENDS OF THE WINTERBOURNE VALLEY

Second day in a row we have an article in the Waterloo Region Record regarding the Jigs Hollow Pit beside Winterbourne. The title is "Residents oppose gravel pit operator's request to dig under water table". There was a public meeting (sort of) yesterday held in St. Jacobs. I attended the 4-7 pm. meeting early on and it was very quiet at that time. Essentially the room has two rows of posters set up showing various aspects of the proposed below water table pit currently, during extraction and after "rehabilitation". Essentially there will be a large lake beside the Grand River as the extracted area below the water table fills up with groundwater.

When this pit was first proposed six years ago as an above water table gravel pit local residents knew that that was ridiculous. Maps of the subsurface deposits of gravel made it clear that the bulk of the gravel was too deep for above water table extraction to be economically feasible. Lo and behold they were correct and now Preston Sand & Gravel want to extract below the water table, beside the Grand River.

The company require approvals from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). I don't see that as any significant roadblock. They also need approval (sort of) from Woolwich township in order to mine below the water table. The Township in recent years had opposed both the proposed gravel pit in West Montrose by Capitol Paving and also the private proposal just outside Conestogo within sight of the Preston Sand & Gravel Pit. It was called the Hunder Pit. The Ontario Municipal Board was involved in the Hunder Pit and most surprisingly turned the pit down. I attended the hearing and believe it was an entirely political decision (provincial). While I did not want to see that pit go forward nevertheless it was my opinion that the proponent dotted his i's and crossed his t's and did everything required in order to as a matter of course receive his go ahead.

Woolwich Township vigorously opposed the Hunder Pit including the Director of Engineering, Dan Kennally testifying against it. That was then and with a different Council. This is what I've learned. These approvals are rarely made or lost based upon the environmental facts and conditions. They are rarely won or lost based upon sound science, logic or common sense. It's all about the politics folks. Look carefully at our current Council and understand whose interests they will protect. The Friends of the Winterbourne Valley have a tough battle ahead of them. Best of luck.