April 14th, 2015
Clint MacDonald, BASc
(Civil Engineering and Mgmt Science)
Gravel Pit Objections
Objections based on Hydrology, Hydraulics, Air Flow, and
Traffic Patterns
Overview
 Hydrology
 Water Table
 Underground Aquifers
 Drinking Sources
 Remediation Pond?
 Hydraulics
 Boyne River/Tosorontio Creek
 Water Levels/Annual Flooding
 Seepage and Contamination
 Monitoring
 Air Pollution
 Air Particulates and Sediments
 Prevailing Winds
 Air Quality
 Traffic Patterns
 Road Maintenance
 Increased Noise
 Speed Limits
 Public Safety
Hydrology
Water Table
 Proposed excavation
below existing water table
 Potentially lowering mean
table level (category 1)
 Local
drinking water
source
 Natural Springs, wells and
cisterns would be impacted
 Potential contamination
 machinery and vehicles
 imported materials
 Aggregate washing
Hydrology
Long Term Impact
 Potential
to damage the
aquifers natural
containment system
 Digging through the Blue
Clay Layer – may result in the
long term reduction in
aquifer size and groundwater
source
 Further investigation is
required to determine exact
aquifer location, extent, and
existing natural confining
barriers (aquitards)
Hydraulics
Water Levels
 Several natural springs in the
area might disappear
 Potential
lowering of average
river levels through lowering
water table creating near
drought conditions (Boyne River
and Tosorontio Creek)
 Natural
Water Filtration May be
impacted by impacts on
wetland area
Wetland
Hydraulics
Water Levels
 Potential Flooding in the spring
(Proposed Berm Creation)
 Cross contamination
 Long term impacts on wetland area
Wetland
Flood
Zone
Air Flow / Pollution
Airborne particulates and Sediments

Gravel Pit created

Traffic created

Prevailing Winds

Local residents
 Air Quality (Asthma)
 Continuing persistent dust
 Road Cleanliness

Local Businesses and
Recreation
 Agriculture (sod)
 Tree Farms (Somerville)
 Earl Rowe Provincial Park
Natural Habitats and Wildlife
 Home to many land and aquatic species
Salmon (annual spawning and running)
 Steelhead Trout (Endangered Fish)
 Bobolink survey results confirm the nesting, territorial defence
and foraging presence of 20 to 28 pairs [on site]”
(Endangered Bird)
 Bank Swallow (Endangered Bird) present onsite
 Beavers – protected animals make their home along the
northern border of the proposed site
 Many other animals including deer, humming birds, foxes,
coyotes, various amphibians plus many more

Natural Habitats and Wildlife
 Removal of natural vegetation and top soils will
result in a rise in ground temperature and thus water
temperature
Greatly impacts aquatic species & their ability to survive
 Impacts spawning

 Swampy wetland
Is home to many species of animal and aquatics
 Natural filtration of water directly upstream from drinking
sources

 Noise Impact

Regardless of remediation and protection that is
implemented, the noise itself which is unavoidable will
force animals out of the area.
Traffic Flow, Patterns, and Risks

1 truck every 85 seconds

Road Maintenance

Traffic Bottlenecks

Traffic Safety
 6am to 7pm
 Approx. 500-550 truck trips per day
 Wear and Tear
 Road Cleaning
 Winter Safety
 80km/hr. vs. 100km/hr.
 Community Safety Zones
 Police Enforcement (Cost)
Traffic Flow, Patterns, and Risks

Traffic Noise
 Basic Engine Noise
 Engine (Jake) Brakes


Larger hills surrounding area
Residences in high noise areas

Truck Maintenance

Patterns
 Tires
 Leaking Fluids in natural sensitive area
 Idling times (Air Pollution)
 North on County Road 13 (Everett)
 South to Hwy 89
(Lights and dangerous intersection)
 East through Alliston (to Hwy. 400)
 South on Hwy 50
 West on 89 (Rosemount)
Costs to the Region/Government
How
much just does one
death cost?
 Traffic/By-Law/Environmental
 Groundwater
 Potential
 Road
 Air
Policy Enforcement
and Drinking Water Monitoring
Remediation
Maintenance
Quality Monitoring / Enforcement
Costs to the Local Residents/Businesses
 Property
Values greatly decreased
 Quality of Life
 Air Pollution
 Noise Pollution
 Water Source Pollution or Quantity Decrease
 Traffic Danger
 Agricultural
 Legal
Value greatly reduced
and Mediation Fees
 Increased
Car Maintenance
(increased dirt and salt on roads)
Benefits to the Region,
Government, Environment, Residents, or local
Businesses
Why grant the license?
 There
are hundreds of objections
 There
are thousands of voters against this
 There
is great cost to everyone and organizations involved
 There
are no benefits of any substance
 There
is great risk to the environment
 There
is great risk of traffic accidents
 There
is a large reduction in quality of life for many local
residents
 SO
WHY WOULD ANYONE EVERY GRANT A LICENSE???