Dear Editor:
In response to ‘Aggregates Needed”:
“Pits and quarries have operated for centuries near Rockwood”
Agreed! The ground swell of objectors Mr. Sweetnam describes includes well informed residents. These people have lived in families near pits and quarries for years. They still do today. So, these objectors are not loose cannons. Many have friends, colleagues and co-workers in the aggregate industry, given operating quarries currently at their doorstep. But when confronted by the potential impacts of yet another quarry, questions have been raised. Are we at our limit? Surely it’s reasonable to demand a limit to the number of quarries in one residential area? If one more quarry, how many more after that?
“There will always be debates about quarry locations.”
Agreed! But how many levels of government, types of ministries, different aggregate companies, irritated tax payers, millions of dollars and precious time should it take to locate each quarry? Perhaps debate over the Hidden Quarry will compel all of us to fix the antiquated process identifying locations? Does the aggregate industry agree that the process is centuries old and needs to be fixed?
“There will always be a need for products from pits and quarries.”
This may be true. But there will also always be a need for aggregate companies to prove integrity and operating abilities. I’m still learning about quarries and I’m trying to make a reasonable decision about the Hidden Quarry. I’ve listened for balance, business and science logic plus looked for integrity throughout. I’m not convinced that the location or risk levels are reasonable. Too residential. Too much of a ‘trust us’ response. Too likely that expanding quarries will prevail. Did I already say too residential? Too bad for the applicant; a window of opportunity 20 years ago, perhaps lost.
Alix Mabee
