Waterloo Moraine Moraine: Risks and Efforts to Protect

by Louisette Lanteigne

butterflybluelu@rogers.com

 

Region of Waterloo is trying to protect our municipal ground water supply from damages by aggregate interests but there is resistance by the Provincial and Aggregate companies. Learn about the SAROS report and risks posed by aggregates by clicking the button here:


 

Land Augmentations prior to the completion of OMB mandated studies took place in the West Side Lands starting in August 2009 and now we are seeking the public's help to raise funds to proceed into a Contempt of Court process against the City of Waterloo.

Click the button for details.


Region of Waterloo established Country Side Line by vote but on Monday June 28th, Kitchener Council wanted to initiate a motion to delay under duress of an OMB threat. Click the button to view item 10 on the agenda.
Fortunately on June 30th Regional Council turned down Kitchener's request to delay the designation of the Country Side Line.
The changes to the ROPP will now go to the Province for Approval.

New study initiated to to develop a surface water ground water model for the Waterloo Moraine that will be included in an upcoming compiliation of research on the Waterloo Moraine in a special edition of a scientific journal edited by the Geological Survey of Canada and the University of Waterloo!

TREE REMOVAL IN ESPA 19 HAS BEGUN.

CLICK THIS BUTTON FOR DETAILS
The City of Waterloo intends to place a trail meters away from the most likely habitat for Jefferson Salamanders in ESPA 19. The asphalt trail with lighiting is intended to be used by school children. To view the City of Waterloo notice visit here:

The City of Waterloo has passed a ballot question which could lead the way to the amalgamation of the city of Kitchener to Waterloo.

To see the economic risk this could pose visit here.

Local environementalists are concerned that the city of Waterloo will lose it's ability to adequately protect the Waterloo Moraine should a merger occur.

 

Regarding the Waterloo Moraine Request for Review for a Waterloo Moraine Act
Waterlooians.ca's David Wellhauser and Waterloo resident Louisette Lanteigne submitted two Request for Reviews for an investigation into the need for source water and groundwater protection for the Waterloo Moraine. To read the press release regarding Mr. Wellhauser's application click HERE. It features a cost estimation for the value of the water in the recharge.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing believe that current policies under their existing legislation should provide adequate protection for the moraine within their mandates therefore they have not endorsed a review from their departments.
The Ministry of the Environment did allow for a review and as a result they decline the request for a Waterloo Moraine Act as well as a Galt/Paris Moraine Act. The reports can be seen online at this website: http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/water/moraines/index.php

We as the applicants have the opinion that the terms of reference as identified in the reports lead to the final conclusion that existing legislation actually works without adequately responding to the specific issues we raised in our request for reviews. It is evidence in the Terms of Reference when you view what was scoped and what wasn't. No effort was made to address any of the economic implications whatsoever. Please view the list of topics considered "Out of Scope" as noted on page 2 of the report.

 

 

Due to the terms of reference the report did not have regard to the fact the moraine recharges the Grand River, a Natural Heritage river which provides a portion of our local water supply and 100% of the Water supply for downstream communities including Brantford, Brant County and Six Nations.
We must protect the source areas to protect both water quality and water quantity to assure the river's assimilation capacity otherwise it places the municipalities, the fisheries, the economy and Lake Erie's shipping and Hydro output at risk.
There was a lack of data regarding the economic importance of the system and no data to show if we have enough water to support the projected growth targets mandated by the province of Ontario. We don't know our current water volumes, and cannot predict how long our wells will be able to function in the face of growing contamination issues.
The MOE secured a locally based hydrologist as the leading technical authority for the Waterloo Moraine Study. This individual has made a career working on proposals in hydrologically sensitive areas within the study area so it's difficult for us to understand how the MOE could negate this as a conflict of interest.
There are a host of outstanding issues. It is our hope to continue to pursue dialogue on this matter with the Ministries and the Environmental Commissioner's Office to mitigate risks in order to assure a safe water supply for generations to come.
For more information, contact Louisette Lanteigne at butterflybluelu@rogers.com

Why we're at risk: the view from Waterloo
Click topics for details.
The Region's Long Term Solution is to withdraw Water from Lake Erie
Best Management Practices: Do they truly circumvent Risks?
May 30th edition of CBC's The House
Conflicts over water are on the rise as the pressures of climate change, population growth and industrial expansion mount. But many Canadians are wondering who to turn to when they notice problems close to home. Muncipalities, provinces and the federal government all have a stake in the management of water resources in Canada. But Reporter Louise Elliott finds leaks in the system. To hear the podcast online take a look at the May 30th version of the House, approx. 17 minutes into the show. Just visit:

Below are the list of actual documents as received by Louisette Lanteigne during her application process. Click the buttons below to see the documentation as provided by the ministry officials.

The feedback from the Environmental Commissioners Office

The Feedback from the Ministry of Natural Resources

The feedback from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

The Feedback from the Ministry of the Environment

Environmental Commissioner's Office comments on

Request for Review

The Ontario Ministry of the Environment final report

http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/water/moraines/index.php

Knowledge is power. Learn more here!

This passage explains the process of how the Oak Ridges Moraine came about as published by the Environmental Commissioner's Office.

To download the PDF guide regarding the Environmental Bill of Rights click here.

PUBLIC FEEDBACK NEEDED!
Have your say on requests for water taking permits and emissions in your area via the Ontario's Environmental Registry. Visit the following web page by clicking the button and type in the name of your municipality or region to see what proposals are happening in your area.

 

Questions or comments? Please feel free to email Louisette Lanteigne at butterflybluelu@rogers.com

 

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