NDACT Discussion Forum

JK: I have a question: are these houses being torn down so that they can use the land for farming... or are these houses being torn down because it is where they plan to dig the open pit mine? Also, is there any more word on when the application for this quarry will be put forward? What can be done, now, to try and stop this environmental and community disaster from happening? (11/20/09)

Ken: These houses, barns outbuildings and trees are being bulldozed and burnt so Highlands can blast. These are located within the area to be mined. In addition to the 12 that are gone Highlands has applied for 7 more burn permits. The company has not filed their application yet, but the frames for the signs are up, so it will happen very soon. I hope that NDACT will post a step by step process with contact information that people can follow to object to this environmental disaster. In the meantime email a link to this blog to everyone you know, write local and provincial politicans, the media, environmental groups, attend council meetings, anything to raise the profile of this issue with the people in Ontario. In order to put a stop to this battle and in other places in Ontario fighting this same thing is to elevate this issue in the public to a point that the provincial government changes provincial policies that currently state aggregate is more important than local food sources, water or the environment. (11/20/09)

art wanders: Everyday I drive home another home or farm is being destroyed and bush being cleared. It truly is making me sick in my stomach to see this. I thought common sense would prefail , but now am truly dis-heartened by what I see and they havn't even started the pit. I disappointed with our politicians, impudent by-standers in this process. As we have all heard the term before, "follow the money". Wecome to the 'badlands" people and say goodbuy to "Honeywood" future ghost-town. Again, common sense did not prevail, I'm so disappointed (12/06/09)

Louise Marcoux Phillips: As homesteads are being bulldozed and burned all around my property I am extremely concerned about the effect this will have on our roads in terms of snow accumulations and wind havoc. As trees, houses and barns are being systematically eradicated so are the windblocks which have helped to deter massive amounts of snow from piling up on our roads. Does Melancthon Township have sufficient monies in their budget to support the obvious need for more snow plows and operators for this upcoming and future winters? Take a look at the utter wasteland that is the area of 20th Sideroad of Melancthon between the 3rd line and the 4th line. There is absolutely nothing left to stop the wind and snow from filling in 20 Sideroad and making it impassable for motorists. As more and more homes and homesteads are being destroyed I believe this community is going to feel the isolation as winter deepens ... the isolation brought on by roads that are repeatedly filled in by snow. What provisions has The Highland Companies undertaken to resolve or circumvent this very real problem? (12/06/09)

Ken: Concerned ratepayers advised Melancthon Council in an open meeting of Council months ago they had the the option of passing a bylaw under Section 33 of the Planning Act, which would force Highlands to obtain a building permit prior to being issued a demolition permit for each structure. Council refused to consider the request. (12/06/09)

Maggie Jordan: Just a thought. Is there anything in considering the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designation east of the proposed quarry area. I do not believethe quarry is on the land designated preserve, but it is certainly right there and down water from the proposed excavations. I have just read in Maclean's that the UNESCO designation as a world heritage site has been rescinded from the Dresden Elbe Valley because they built a modern bridge in the midst of it.. Surely the biosphere preserve will be threatened by the turmoil and water table disturbance. Perhaps Unesco will not care; but if the presence of the quarry would threaten that designation, it would be a good PR tool to get attention from people in general who are not already cognizant of the proposal and its scope. Maggie (12/08/09)

gary rideout: the ogallala aquifer,the world,s largest underground lake and the key resource for an area that runs from south dakota to texas and from colorado to missouri may run dry within three decades.is this what we want to happen to the allison aquifier,and the waters surrounding the orangeville area especially if highlands is allowed to dig 200 ft below water level..wake up canada and ontario.become a major player in the global food market (12/19/09)

Karren: One more homestead, standing yesterday morning at 7 a.m., wiped from the face of the earth by noon, compliments of Highlands. I believe this makes 14. And don't forget, this is happening under the watch of our elected officials in Melancthon who had the tools to stop this. (01/21/10)

Joe Bloggs: Hey Karren - Love your blog. Cracks me up. (03/09/10)

Theri: Highlands still has to deal with First Nations as thier projects will also adversly affect aboriginal / reservation lands / water, etc. As far as I know, the Haudenosaunne Heritage Institute ("HDI") has not been contacted, nor has it received applications from Highlands for approvals to develop on any of the farming lots it purchased ... (03/25/10)

Ellen Brakel: As a citizens of this area our first priority is to maintain the health of our land. When we have been given such a beautiful gift in the quality of the soil and waterways why not make the best use of them. We need to provide what we need most to sustain life, healthy food, clean water and abundant wildlife. There are not many places like this left on earth. Please help us to respect this land. (07/22/10)