SUMMER 2008
The BVRA
holds an organizational membership within the Coalition of the Niagara
Escarpment (
BVRA
members will be aware of the efforts to erect a mirror at
The
Annual General Meeting of
As
mandated at the March 2008 BVRA membership meeting we have researched the “
No one
can definitively state what the risks are to this area’s water resource if this
proposed development is allowed to proceed. Much more research and hydro
geological examination by expert people is required before that determination
can be definitively defined. However we do know that
this water resource is far more sensitive to development than was previously
understood. The residents’ concerns with
this development are justified
We cannot continue to address each subdivision application individually and ignore the Big Picture. We must assess the ‘Cumulative Impact’ of all potential development in this area and ensure development will not create or contribute to any long-term problems of water quality or quantity for the proposed subdivision and/or surrounding area. The potential negative impact to the environment, municipality and residents will be costly and difficult (if not impossible) to mitigate.
The BVRA
requested Grey Highlands Council to immediately form a committee to examine the
cumulative impact of development in this area. This committee would report to
Council. The committee’s mandate would be:
- Temporary in nature until definitive guidelines, ground rules and legislation are implemented which address these issues.
- To make recommendations based on consensus.
- To ensure all voices are heard, representation would include applicable Conservation Authorities, Environment Ministries, Developers, Beaver Valley Ski Club and BVRA.
- To use available knowledge based on groundwater resource in the Bowles Bluff area with a view of the “Cumulative Impact” and provide council with timely input and recommendations on current and planned development.
-
To make the
proposed “
A letter was sent to Grey Highlands Council followed up by a number of presentations to Planners and Council. In June, Council refused the suggestion on the grounds it was redundant to existing policies.
This decision was a disappointment.
We then decided to divide the problems into 2 distinct areas.
- Definitively define the risk
- Fight the scope of the proposed subdivision using existing processes
Defining the Risk:
In 2007
the
Rural
water systems are not included in their mandate except for one instance.
“Cluster Well Locations” (5 private wells accessing one aquifer) could be
included within the SPC mandate if the local Municipal Council approved “Elevated Status” for the location. A survey of the Bowles
Bluff area indicated approximately 80 private wells.
BVRA made
presentations to the SPC and Grey Highlands Council requesting elevated status
for the Bowles Bluff Area. We were successful. By a vote of 4-3 Grey Highlands Council approved elevated status for
the Bowles Bluff area.
The
research performed by this committee should finally definitively define the
risk factors in the Bowles Bluff Area. However the results will be long after
the “
Fighting the Scope of the Proposed Subdivision:
We know:
- Water resources are far more sensitive to development than was previously understood.
-
The Bowles Bluff
area is a “Karstic” area, which is a known to be highly sensitive to water
issues.
-
No one has done
the work to definitively define the risk
We therefore cannot support the proposed “
Our objections will be presented at the
County and Municipal levels and will refer to the following issues:
-
Known environmental risks in the Bowles Bluff area. Development
moratorium on major developments required until SPC report is tabled
-
Designation of “Development Area” around Bowles Bluff does not meet the
Provincial Policy Statement (
-
Proposed 45-lot development does not meet the
-
Why is the subdivision even being entertained when it doesn’t meet the
requirements laid out in the
Nothing speaks better to councils than the high participation and turnout of our members at Council meetings and presentations. The BVRA member support is appreciated by your Directors.
The
two-year moratorium of property assessments is over. Unfortunately the people of
With
sadness we learned of the death of David Box who had been a director for just
over one year. David resigned from the Board in January 2008 for health
reasons. David had been a resident in the valley for approximately 35 years,
and was committed to maintaining a natural and healthy
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Donald
McGee
Co-chair 519-986-2640
Ernie Glozier Co-chair 519-986-2886
Anne Ellison Secty/Treas.
647-827-6045
Tom
Armstrong Mem-at-large 519-986-4627
Geoff
Drew-Brook Mem-at-large 519-986-3150
Catherine
Little
Mem-at-large 519-986-4369
Lou
Saunders Mem-at-large 519-986-2866
Please feel free to pass this newsletter onto your
neighbours, and refer to our website for past newsletters.
Annual
membership fee is $20.00, payable to Beaver Valley Ratepayers Assoc. Mailing
address is