Food and Water First
Food Water FirstNDACT
(North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Taskforce, Inc.)
We are an incorporated, not for profit, entity which was formed in January 2009 by concerned citizens from Melancthon and Mulmur Townships.
The NDACT executive board was formed by a group of volunteers nominated by community members.
At the inaugural meeting, members of the community gathered to voice their concerns and to find out more about The Highland Companies plans regarding the more than 6,000 acres of prime agricultural land that they had amassed as of that date. Up to that point in time, and for a lengthy period of time afterwards, Highland reiterated to the community that they had been acquiring large tracts of agricultural land solely with a view to creating a world class farming operation, but residents were highly skeptical.
By the date of the meeting, there was a growing suspicion in the area that other plans were afoot, although the applicant would not clearly admit so. There was significant evidence that the applicant was undertaking activities that were inconsistent with its stated intentions (of just being interested in potato farming) including well testing and drilling, archaeological studies, woodlot and fence row clearing and the demolition of homesteads. Highland stated that these activities were merely to improve their farming operations.
NDACT Press Release - Jan. 24, 2022
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- Published on Thursday, 27 January 2022 01:50
For Immediate Release
January 24th, 2022 – Dufferin County
North Dufferin Agricultural Community Taskforce (NDACT) held a public meeting on Saturday January. 15th, 2022 with a virtual audience of over 300 concerned Ontarians in response to Strada Aggregate’s proposal to quarry below the water table at their pit near Honeywood.
During the meeting, NDACT solicited input from the community and stakeholders on NDACT’s proposed strategy with Strada Aggregates.
Key Components of NDACT’s Approach:
Strada would be required to hire a Community Trusted Consultant and make them part of the Strada application development team.
NDACT will be this community’s Communication conduit to Strada for the process duration.
If the Community Trusted Consultant agrees with the science behind the application studies and should that science deem the application viable, NDACT is prepared not to challenge the application when it is filed.
As part of NDACT’s agreement not to challenge the application, NDACT would require specific funding commitments from Strada to this community.
Strada has communicated that if the science is not solid, they will not continue with their quest. We expect them to keep their word. Should Strada still pursue an application for a quarry NDACT would fully engage in opposing such a quest.
So far the results of the survey are overwhelming in support of NDACT’s approach. NDACT is encouraging you to participate in the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5VB6B5Q
Strada’s plans to quarry below the water table is reminiscent of the proposal put forth by the Highland Companies and a billion dollar hedge fund, during the Stop the Quarry campaign. NDACT and the community are well aware of the scientific facts and potential for water contamination.
NDACT will be requesting a meeting with Strada to discuss moving forward and as well, meeting with Provincial leaders, in order to ensure a safe future for Southern Ontario’s water sources.
NDACT's mission is to preserve and protect the unique and non-renewable resources of North Dufferin County. The Headwaters that supply Water to millions of Southern Ontarians. Our exceptional Prime Agricultural Farmland and the environment. Our social economic and cultural characteristics that have been such an important and vibrant part of our community and its heritage for more than 150 years.
For further information or to arrange an interview with NDACT, please contact:
Nanci Malek
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
NDACT seeks input for quarry engagement
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- Published on Thursday, 27 January 2022 01:17
By Trina Berlo
Posted in the Creemore Echo, January 26, 2022
More than 150 people took part in a community meeting last Saturday to weigh in on NDACT’s proposed engagement with Strada Aggregates as it explores the possibility of applying for a licence to quarry below the water table at its pit in Melancthon.
Polls conducted during the virtual meeting showed strong support for NDACT’s proposal but an online survey will be active for the next week or so to collect more input.
Past president and community engagement liaison Carl Cosack said after the survey closes he expects NDACT will officially engage with
Strada to present the survey results and get their response to the proposal. NDACT – the North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Taskforce – is a grassroots group formed in 2009 by local farmers and residents to defend Melancthon’s prime farmland at the headwaters of five rivers from a proposed mega- quarry. After a successful campaign, NDACT continues to fight for farmland and source water by developing awareness, encouraging people power, and by promoting better legislation. NDACT is proposing to be included as participants in the development of the Aggregate Resources Act application with the condition that if it is confident that the “science is solid” it would not oppose the application. Cosack alluded to errors in the mega quarry application that makes NDACT dubious of the facts contained in future applications. He said, for example, the mega quarry application proposed to manage 600 million litres of water per day in perpetuity, which he considered ridiculous and would be a no-go if something similar was part of the Strada application.
NDACT is also proposing that Strada hire a community-trusted consultant who would be part of the team developing the application, and that NDACT will act as a communication conduit with the local community.
It proposes 10 cents per tonne of aggregate be contributed to the North Dufferin Community Centre renovation and would require Strada to establish a fund to handle all costs incurred by property owners who have unanticipated well issues and need funding to prove their case, and other specific funding commitments to be determined and negotiated.
“Strada’s response to this proposal will determine if the early reach-out for community involvement and application transparency is just a public relations stunt or if they truly respect this community,” said Cosack. “We sure will keep you informed as to the negotiations between Strada and NDACT. Transparency remains key.”
Strada has said it is exploring the viability of expanding operations to quarry 250 acres on its current site located at the 4th Line and County Road 17 in Melancthon.
Because no official application has been filed, NDACT does not have the details at hand but Strada has said it is proposing a quarry one-tenth the size of the mega quarry extracting two million tonnes per year, and that assessments and studies are being completed to understand the existing conditions and the potential of bedrock extraction below the water table.
“NDACT’s eyes are wide open,” said Cosack. “We have a handle on who the actual proponent is.” Strada Aggregates is part of the Condrain Group of companies, which services public and private sectors building sewers, tunnels, and watermains. The company absorbed the road division once known as Con-Strada which builds roads, parking structures, and highways.
A public engagement process is not required under the Aggregate Resources Act so NDACT is grateful for the outreach early in the process.
“As we all know, below the water table extraction can affect the groundwater flowing through the aquifer beneath the fields of Melancthon and can have an impact on the drinking water of potentially millions of people as well as possibly harming the resources of nearby farmers who grow our food,” said vice chair Brian Bell at the conclusion of the meeting. “For this reason NDACT would like to thank Strada Aggregates for reaching out and asking NDACT to engage with them on their quarry proposal in its early planning stages. Very rarely do communities get the opportunity to be made aware of a planned quarry pre-application and for that reason we greatly appreciate Strada’s offer to be good neighbours and to committing to share information as it becomes available.”
View the entire ‘NDACT community meeting on proposal to Strada Aggregates’ on YouTube, via NDACT Secretary. The survey is posted at NDACT. com.
Strada Aggregates' Licenses
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- Published on Saturday, 22 January 2022 20:10
Copies of Strada's Licenses to Operate Gravel Pits in Melancthon
1997 License to operate a 40.7 hectare pit in Melancthon
2011 License to operate a 47.6 hectare pit in Melancthon
2019 License to operate a 60.7 hectare pit in Melancthon
Strada's Melancthon Quarry Proposal Presentation-Oct. 27, 2021
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- Published on Thursday, 20 January 2022 17:11
On October 27, 2021 Strada Aggregates had a Video Community Presentation, to present their proposal.
This is the current proposal that we are discussing.