Issues Raised
The following is a resume of the issues/objections raised by the community.
See the links in the left menu for details on some of the main issues.
The entire list of objections can be found in the documents on the dropbox website.
- Environmental impacts
- Emergency Response *new information
- Impact on Roads
- Zoning
- Tourism
- Infrastructure, Finances and Taxation
- Studies
Environmental Impacts
- The area the plant is to be built upon is Karst limestone in an Area of Natural Scientific Interest (ANSI, a provincial designation) containing Species at Risk(SAR). It also contains part of a significant woodland (county designation).
- Karst limestone is described in the 'Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology' as "Solid limestone of high bearing capacity interspersed with open and sediment-filled voids at shallow depth that threaten foundation integrity and excavatability".
- Effects on groundwater: Because cave and karst systems are intimately tied to local and regional hydrological systems, pollution or disruption of these natural systems can harm water supplies and water quality.
- Impact on water courses down gradient of subject property, which flow into the South Nation River, were not examined.
- Risk of contamination from gasoline, oil, lubricants and solvents of an industrial plant in a rural setting.
- Any 'accidents' such as fires or spills, will immediately result in groundwater contamination.
- The impact of asphalt factory on the neigbouring
SAR habitats are not evaluated.
- Neither habitats nor the animals that inhabit them are aware of property boundaries. (several bird species designated Threatened in Ontario, with legislated habitat protection, are found on neighbouring properties)
- Noise and vibrations will adversely affect the wildlife. Low level vibrations damage the hearing of bats. They are essential in reducing the night flying insect population (mosquitoes!) including many of the most damaging agricultural pests.
Emergency Response
- Are our volunteers equipped to deal with industrial fires?:
- Does municipality already have sufficient equipment to cope with an industrial fire?
- Who will pay for the equipment needed?
- Serious health risks from toxic fumes to our volunteer fire fighters responding to an asphalt plant fire
Impact on Roads
- Truck traffic estimated at 40 entries and exits per hour onto the overburdened rural road 17
- Increasing costs for road work
- Increasing traffic issues with commuters to Ottawa and Hawkesbury, impeding entries and exits.
- Interference with tourist traffic including touring cyclists and mototourists, trailers and mobile homes visiting the area, and the festivals including the Wendover and Alfred western festival set just off of the 17.
- School buses (Plantagenet high school is around 3km down the highway) with many students living along the 17 and a small passing lane in front of the school.
- Farm machinery during planting and harvesting often necessitating that the traffic swing out around them.
- Commercial land is already located near hwy 417, a road system more suited to this application.
Zoning
- The project requests the re-zoning of Part of Lot 18, Concession 2 from “rural” to “mineral aggregate resource”
- The United Counties Official Plan does not support this re-zoning in several policy areas identified.
- There are other lands available which are already zoned for industry in Prescott-Russell, whose municipalities have invested in developing for industry.
- There is no evidence provided in the application to support the need for another asphalt factory in the region to service the growth in the western end of the counties. There are several asphalt plants already in the region, at least 2 about 50 kilometres from Rockland.
- The plan does not meet minimum separation distances of 300m for Class III Industrial development from rural-zoned residences on surrounding properties.
Tourism
- County Road 17 would see a substantial increase in traffic
- Jessup's Falls conservation park is located within a kilometre of the site; dust from the road traffic will be increased as well as the "particulate matter" described in the company's planning documents.
- Motorcycle touring is very popular along the 17; the risk of injury from flying debris and turning off the road will be increased, and it will therefore be less appealing for people to visit the area.
- Local businesses that rely on tourist traffic will be affected - loss of customers means loss of jobs. For example: campgrounds, B&Bs, marinas, equestrian centers, organic gardeners, support services for outdoor activities like boating, fishing, bicycling, hiking and birding.
- Outdoor festivals along the 17 that draw motorhomes and campers will be less appealing.
Infrastructure, Finances and Taxation
- Property values have already seen a decrease in the area surrounding with only the 'potential' for an asphalt plant
- Risk of increase in taxes due to increase in
- road work requirements,
- outfitting of fire and safety crews,
- professional consulting fees to ensure compliance by plant operators, indemnification issues and insurance costs.
Studies lacking
- There are no hydrogeological studies (water distribution, conservation, use) submitted as required by the United Counties of Prescott Russell Official Plan.
- There are no pedologic studies (soil) submitted
- There are no long term plans - effects of pollution, maintenance etc, submitted
- Fish habitat was examined on subject property only, not downstream.
- No studies of the species living in the cavities of karst were submitted. One feature of karst is its biodiversity.
- No studies were submitted on traffic at neighbouring intersections: Jessup`s Falls park and Route 21, the local high school, entry to Plantagenet, commuter traffic through Wendover.
- Natural Environmental Impact Assessment references MNR’s report at paragraph 5.4.3 that further study is required, when will these be done?
- The technical studies only consider the impact on the subject property of an asphalt factory when operating within regulations. There is no disaster plan submitted.
- Noise studies were based on traffic studies conducted 1.5km WEST of Wendover which has more commuter traffic. No studies are included from the front of the subject property skewing the compliance levels of noise considered acceptable to residences along CR 17.
- There had been no public consultation before the submission to council.
Read the complete list of objections from residents on the dropbox website.