Example of an open pit mine, photo by "jeandparis"
We have recently discovered some disturbing news for all Ontarians and anyone concerned about water protection. A Boston hedge fund has quietly bought 12,000 acres of prime agricultural land in the highlands of Dufferin County a short distance north-west of Toronto, promising to continue the local potato farming which supplies the Greater Toronto Area with nearly half its potatoes. However, soon the land is being stripped of any buildings and trees/wildlife habitat, and it became known that the real intent is an open-pit aggregates mine – the largest in North America to be exact, operating at 200 feet beneath the water table, and sitting directly atop the headwaters of the Grand and Nottawasaga River systems, supplying water to one-quarter of all Ontarians!
This disastrous venture must be challenged with a resounding “NO” from us all. Ecologos is proud to join a coalition with Citizens Action United for a Sustainable Environment (CAUSE) and two other citizen action groups to oppose this development.
There will be much more to come on this issue, please stay tuned…
Tags: drinking water, Ontario, open pit mine, water pollution, water protection
