OrilliaMatters welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected] or via the website. Please include your full name, daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). OrilliaMatters received the following letter about the application for the LCP Brechin Quarry.
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed licence application for the LCP Brechin Quarry.
Based on an extensive review of relevant studies and expert reports, it is evident that the quarry poses significant health and safety risks to local residents, as well as environmental hazards. I urge the public and our elected officials to consider these dangers carefully before moving forward with any approvals for the quarry’s operations. Below are the key reasons why the LCP Brechin Quarry should not be licensed:
Noise Pollution
Blasting operations and heavy machinery associated with quarries generate persistent and disruptive noise. Reports indicate that noise from quarry operations can exceed 55 dBA, affecting the quality of life for nearby residents. Living near such a noisy environment can lead to increased stress levels, disrupted sleep patterns, and long-term health problems.
Vibration Hazard
Blasting activities create ground vibrations that can damage nearby structures and severely impact residents’ well-being. Studies show that prolonged exposure to vibrations can cause structural damage to homes and lead to mental stress. Such disturbances are unacceptable in a residential community and pose a direct risk to public safety.
Noxious Use of Land
The quarry is considered a noxious use of land due to the harmful by-products produced during its operations, including toxic fumes and particulate matter. Blasting quarries degrade the environment and negatively impact property values through harmful emissions. This type of industrial activity has no place in proximity to residential areas or environmentally sensitive zones.
Flyrock Incidents
Flyrock—unpredictable fragments of rock propelled by blasting—presents a serious safety hazard. Reports confirm that flyrock can travel significant distances, posing a direct threat to both human life and property. The uncontrollable nature of flyrock makes it one of the most dangerous aspects of quarry operations, and there is no guarantee that such incidents can be fully contained.
Dust and Air Pollution
The generation of airborne dust from quarry operations contributes to respiratory issues such as asthma and the more serious condition of silicosis. Moreover, blasting and the use of heavy equipment release noxious gases that further degrade air quality. The quarry would exacerbate these health risks for nearby residents, particularly vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.
Water Contamination
Blasting below the water table is highly destructive and poses a severe threat to local water sources. Reports indicate that water contamination from quarries can render local water supplies unfit for consumption. Given that the proposed quarry is situated near a highly vulnerable aquifer, the risks of water contamination are both significant and irreversible.
Impacts to Groundwater
The risk of groundwater depletion and contamination is a major concern. Studies show that quarry operations can disrupt local water tables, leading to dry wells and degraded water quality. Residents in affected areas could be left without access to clean, drinkable water, which would not only affect their daily lives but also lead to a decline in property values and community stability.
Conclusion
The potential for adverse health effects and environmental degradation resulting from the LCP Brechin Quarry is overwhelming. Noise, vibrations, air and water pollution, and the uncontrollable risk of flyrock make this quarry a direct threat to the well-being of the surrounding community. It is imperative that we take these risks seriously and halt the licensing process for this quarry.
Allowing the LCP Brechin Quarry to operate will have long-term negative impacts on both human health and the environment, and we should not permit such risks in our community. The communities of Brechin, Gamebridge, Lagoon City, and especially Ramara residents bordering Highway 12, Lake Simcoe, and Ramara Road 47 are needlessly being forced to accept another unnecessary quarry operation and all the negative long term life altering effects that the quarry operation represents.
I strongly encourage the public to voice their opposition to this dangerous project and call upon our decision-makers to prioritize the health and safety of residents by rejecting the quarry’s license.
You can sign the petition here.
Lawn signs, Say No to the LCP Brechin Quarry, are available for $10 each. Please email [email protected] for delivery of a lawn sign.
Michael Douglas
Ramara Township
