[All] OMB says no to Quarry in Rockport

[Louisette Lanteigne]

Hi folks

The OMB says no to a Quarry in Rockport to help protect sensitive ecological lands. Here is the written conclusion of that OMB ruling. If anyone wants the full copy of the ruling, email me and I'll foward the PDF file to you.

Below is the conclusion as taken from the ruling which pretty much sums things up.

We're making progress folks!

Lulu :0) 





	
	
	
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Conclusion:

The balance among competing interests
mandated by the PPS and the OP has been thoroughly considered by the
Board.  It is apparent, that with respect to these particular
applications, the interest in protecting the natural heritage and
cultural heritage resources of the subject lands and those
surrounding them outweighs the interest in making the aggregate
resource on the subject property available to supply mineral
aggregate needs. Too much of enormous value to the Province, the
Region and the Town could be lost if the proposed quarry went
forward.  A failure in the mitigation measures proposed for the
quarry, as set out in the AMP, would have a catastrophic impact on
the natural environment or the natural features and functions of the
area.  Such an impact cannot be countenanced by the Board.  In
addition, the fundamental change to the character of the area
attendant upon the proposed quarry would not be acceptable.  The loss
of views of rural lands, the loss of a cultural heritage landscape
and cultural heritage resources and the conversion of a rural area
into an urban area centred on a heavy industrial operation cannot be
permitted in the interest of the production of more aggregate for
infrastructure development.  It is time for alternatives to aggregate
for infrastructure construction to be found.  Too much of what is
essential to the character of this Province would be lost if
aggregate extraction were to be permitted on lands like the subject
property.  Lands situated in a significant cultural landscape,
surrounded by significant natural heritage features and functions,
are not lands on which extraction should be permitted in the absence
of demonstration of no negative impacts.  No such demonstration has
been completed in this case.

Having regard to the provisions of the
PPS, the ROP and the OP, the Board finds that the requested OPA and
ZBLA do not represent good planning.  Having regard to the ARA,
particularly section 12(1), the Board finds that the requested
licence should not be issued.

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