Southgate Township, the southern gateway of Grey County, one of the most pastoral and picturesque townships in Ontario, is experiencing unprecedented pressure to extract gravel and sand. To date, seven gravel pits within 3 km2 of Holstein are operating or applying for license. This is the confluence of several events: (a) the economic plight of Ontario farmers: (b) the increasing demand for aggregate; and (c) the close proximity to markets. The unbridled privilege of the aggregate industry does not consider the full environmental, social and economic costs to community. For example, many properties within a 10 km radius of a gravel pit will experience property devaluation. Other concerns include: noise, pollution, public safety, environmental damage, and aesthetics.

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