Submitted to: Councillors of Pilkington Township
 
 

We believe that this application deserves careful and continued attention. There are a number of areas that are problematic, including the following:

1. Noise. The noise from the Bowman pit this summer and last summer has been unreasonable, not allowing people in the neighbourhood to sleep. The noise has been three times greater than MOE Guidelines (see Appendix A, from MOE). Overnight noise has been unreasonable again this summer. A credible Noise Report that indicates that the Shoemaker proposal will meet MOE Noise Guidelines is essential.
2. Rehabilitation. The rehabilitation record at the Bowman pit has been poor. The asphalt plant was placed on previously rehabilitated land, violating site plan (see Appendix B, from MNR). After many decades of operation, only minimal rehabilitation has been done. A significant portion (over 20%) of the existing farmland on the Shoemaker site will become un-farmable; this violates Provincial Policy. It is not clear whether the proposed rehabilitation will return the lands to the same or better quality (as per Provincial Policy).
3. Environment. The environmental record at the Bowman/Darrington pit has been poor. The 1997 MNR conformance report for the Darrington pit shows an excavation that is 6 meters (20 feet) too deep, endangering Carroll Creek (see Appendix C, from MNR). Mr. Warren Knight of the MNR confirms that the central wetland has been disturbed; it has had earth and trees stacked in it. The promise of respecting this effectively Class 1 Provincial wetland in the Shoemaker proposal are hard to believe, based on this record.

• Negotiation. We request meetings with the applicant, at mutually convenient times and places, to attempt to work out reasonable conditions on this application. We suggest an initial meeting on Tuesday, October 27, at the Township office. We request Council representation, ideally one or more Councillors, be present to facilitate this negotiation.

Marie Holt, Ric Holt, 6565 Eighth Line West, October 6, 1998
 

Appendix A: Noise

Violation of Noise Guidelines

Attached is the report of Mr. Gary Tomlinson of the Ministry of the Environment, reporting on the noise from the Bowman pit complex. It shows that noise was 44.9 decibels as the Collier's home, where the limit is 40 decibels at night. This violation (4.9 decibels above the limit) is three times the allowed noise energy. In other words, if one crusher were running at the limit (40 decibels), the Colliers were hearing the sound of three crushers.

Appendix B: Rehabilitation

Asphalt Plant Placed on Rehabilitated Land
 
 

Attached is page 1 of the MNR inspection report for May 11, 1995, completed by Mr. T.A. Fox of the MNR for the Bowman (Watson) pit. It shows a number of violations. It indicates that the asphalt plan with its roadways are placed on rehabilitated land, violating the site plan.
 
 

Appendix C: Environment

Excavating 20 Feet Deeper than Allowed, Near Carroll Creek
 
 

Attached is page 1 of the Compliance Report for the Darrington pit (pit 5683), completed by Murray Group employee Mr. David Townsend on November 24, 1997. It shows a number of violations. Note line C11, in which there is a minimum height of 366M (West Pit) above sea level, but that actual extraction has gone down to 360M, which is 6 meters (20 feet) beyond that allowed. In other words, there has been digging 20 feet deeper than allowed in the vicinity of the springs that feed Carroll Creek.