There is an application to start a new quarry on Highway 6 just north of Wiarton. The quarry is located on a water recharge area for the ground and subsurface (aquifer) water courses, as per a report from the MNRF to the Bruce Peninsula Sportsmen Association (BPSA). The report outlines that rock in the area is part of a Karst system that channels water underground for long distances and recharges the deep aquifers as well as resurface as a spring. Currently the BPSA uses this spring to provide water for the Hatchery. The BPSA has empirical data that when they pump from their deep aquifer well, the spring water decreases. This supports the MNRF report that this Karst system is integral in the well being of the deep aquifer. This aquifer is used by local residents as well as the BPSA.

According to the supporting documentation for the Quarry proposal, they state that the Karst system will not impact the deep aquifer as the aquifer is "20 to 30 meters" deeper than the ground water. This is contradicts the MNRF report and BPSA findings. Any changes in the water flows, either surface or subsurface, can negatively impact the quantity and quality of the water. It seems apparent that the report is not detailed enough or does not fully understand the workings of a Karst system to fully understand the impact of the quarry.

Therefore, to protect the local water sources and the continued existence of the hatchery, the quarry needs to be stopped.

You can find the complete quarry proposal here:

http://www.brucecounty.on.ca/services-health/plann...