Luther Marsh - Wilson Quarry Proposal
In 1991, Alfred Wilson proposed a 62 ha/150 acre below-water-table quarry upstream from Luther Marsh (part of Grand River watershed), near Monck. Opponents are concerned about the location and potential impacts on Luther Marsh, as well as the likelihood that the proponent will apply for amendments in the future to offset the start-up costs of a small-scale quarry. Other concerns are impact on the water aquifer, traffic, school bus safety, property values, community impact, noise, dust, hidden cost to taxpayers. In addition, reduced budgets, monitoring and enforcement by the regulating MOE and MNR are a concern.
Luther Marsh is a wildlife habitat designated as provincially significant wetland. It is the largest inland wetland in southern Ontario. Largely man-made due to a dam installed in the 1950s, the area now supports a diverse habitat of plant and animal life including several rare and endangered species. It is on the migration path for many bird species. Birds that nest in the Luther Marsh include Canvasback, the Great Egret, the Red-necked Grebe and the Least Bittern. The Marsh is close to Wylde Lake, a boreal bog remnant and the largest undisturbed bog in southwestern Ontario.
Timeline (chronological order)
|
Date |
|
|
1991 |
Alfred Wilson proposal |
|
1993 |
|
|
2007 |
Planning Act applications referred to OMB due to "refusal or neglect" to rezone |
|
06-Nov-07 |
Initial OMB pre-hearing |
|
Feb-08 |
Wilson petitions Twp of Wellington North for quarry de-watering outlet |
|
Feb-08 |
GRCA hires Izaak de Rijcke, Counsel |
|
14-Apr-08 |
OMB pre-hearing - GRCA granted "party" status |
|
|
OMB process suspended pending resolution of Feb-08 Wilson petition re: quarry de-watering outlet |
|
Sep-08 |
Twp adopts Drainage Engineers Report. GRCA appeals under section 47 and 49 of the Drainage Act. |
|
|
Section 47 appeal - Ontario Drainage Referee (Superior Court of Justice) - jurisdicational matters -- presses for an Environmental Appraisal (EA) |
|
|
Section 49 appeal - Drainage Tribunal (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture & Food) - environmental matters -- awaits outcome of Section 47 appeal before starting |
|
Sep-09 |
Twp of Wellington invoices GRCA for $19,998 costs incurred by Township's Drainage Engineer, K. Smart & Associates, in preparing materials for EA. Decision as to who pays pending the Drainage Referee. |
|
09-Oct-09 |
Technical Memorandum -- agreement on memorandum negates need to complete EA |
|
Jan-10 |
Technical Memorandum incorporated into Revised Drainage Engineers Report. GRCA withdraws appeals under Drainage Act. |
|
26-Apr-10 |
Twp of Wellington North adopts Revised Drainage Engineers Report |
|
13-May-10 |
OMB process resumes. Parties have agreed to mediation, but no dates or terms of reference have been established. |
|
|
GRCA main concerns (now that drainage is addressed) are potential for wetland and aquatic impacts related to drawdown effect from pumping groundwater from the quarry |
|
|
GRCA has incurred legal expenses of $47,700 from 2008 |
|
Nov-10 |
OMB pre-hearing |
|
11-Dec-10 |
Damascus community centre meeting |
|
Jan-11 |
Mediation |
|
Feb-11 |
Mediation |
|
15-Apr-11 |
OMB pre-hearing #2 |
|
Sep-11 |
OMB hearing |
|
6-Nov-2011 |
OMB pre-hearing |
|
15Apr-2011 |
OMB second pre-hearing |
|
mid-Sep-2011 |
OMB hearing [OMB hearing adjourned pending “minutes of settlement”] |
|
May 2015 |
“minutes of settlement” endorsed by Grand River Conservation Authority |
|
May 2015 |
“minutes of settlement” endorsed by Wellington North |
|
June 2015 |
“minutes of settlement” conditionally endorsed by Wellington County incorporating concerns of Friends of Luther Marsh (article) |
|
|
Return to OMB for decision |
Process Requirements (Status & Order Unknown):
West Luther Township official plan and zoning by-law amendments
MNR aggregate licence application
MOE
PTTW
OMB
Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) approval
News (reverse chronological order)
|
Date |
Source |
Title |
Comment |
|
2015-07-03 |
Wellington Advertiser |
Patrick Raftis |
|
|
2015-07-01 |
SouthwesternOntario.ca |
Francis Baker - Wellington County |
|
|
2015-05-29 |
Wellington Advertiser |
Olivia Rutt |
|
|
2015-05-26 |
Blackburn News |
Wellington North Quarry Proposal May Soon Go Back to the OMB |
Campbell Cork |
|
2015-04-24 |
Grand River Conservation Authority Report |
|
|
|
2011-12-31 |
Wellington Advertiser |
Save the marsh group looking for some support from the local community |
Mike Robinson |
Opponents:
Friends of Luther Marsh, Inc. (www.friendsofluthermarsh.org / info@friendsofluthermarsh.org / @BFLutherMarsh):
Dr. Richard Gorrie, President
Dr. Andrew Gordon, Treasurer & VP
Wendy Morris, Secretary
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Disclaimer: This information has been compiled through private amateur research for the purpose of allowing the reader to make an informed and educated decision. However, while the information is believed to be reliable, accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
APPENDICES
https://awareontario.nfshost.com/AWARE-Ontario/Issues/Aggregate_Luther%20Marsh%20Wilson/Luther%20Marsh%20Wilson%20Overview.htm