Food and Water First
Food Water FirstTracking the Quarry Saga Slide Show
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- Published on Thursday, 22 November 2012 16:04
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Posted on "The Star" website, Nov. 21, 2012
· Slide # 1
The Story of a grassroots movement.
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· Slide # 2
September 2006 — December 2006
Farmers approached about land
Farmers in the Melancthon area are approached with offers for their land. The tens of millions of dollars it would take to buy the acreages initially came through numbered companies.
· Slide # 3
2007 — December 31, 2008
Suspicion mounts
Tree lots and homes start to come down on Highland's property, including Mabel and Hector Ferguson's old place. In spring 2008, locals spot archeologists combing a field. Suspicion mounts.
· Slide # 4
May 2008 — May 30, 2008
Highland Companies emerges
3191574 Nova Scotia Company Ltd. becomes Highland Companies. The company is incorporated in Nova Scotia, which gives tax benefits to American investors.
· Slide # 5
September 2008 — September 30, 2008
John Lowndes Introduction
John Lowndes writes a letter to formally introduce the Highland Companies to Melancthon's town council. It outlines the company's farming operations as well as its intention to explore additional land uses.
· Slide # 6
July 2009 — July 31, 2009
Public meeting
Highland holds a voluntary public meeting to inform people about quarry plans.
· Slide # 7
September 2009 — November 2009
More is revealed . . .
It comes to light that Highland is backed by an American hedge fund called the Baupost Group, worth over $20 billion. The private firm isn't required to publicize its investments. Known as a "value investor," the fund invests in sectors it believes will rise in value.
· Slide # 8
March 2011 — March 31, 2011
Highland submits proposal for quarry licence
Highland finally submits its proposal for a quarry licence to the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources. It's 3,100 pages and includes dense technical reports from 20 independent consultants.
· Slide # 9
April 2011 — May 2011
'Stop the Quarry'
The "Stop the Quarry" movement heats up as opponents take part in a five-day walk from a protest at Queen's Park, 120 kilometres north to Melancthon. It's organized by environmentalist Danny Beaton, a key player in the successful fight against Tiny Township's Dump 41.
· Slide # 10
July 2011 — July 31, 2011
Environment Ministry responds
Provincial Ministry of Environment raises concerns about the proposal, saying "The (company) reports failed to demonstrate a three-dimensional understanding of the geology, hydrogeology and hydrology of the site.
· Slide # 11
September 2011 — October 2011
Environmental assessment ordered
After receiving more than 5,000 letters of objection, the environment ministry orders an environmental assessment — a first for an Ontario quarry. "Stop the mega-quarry signs" pop up all over downtown Toronto.
· Slide # 12
October 2011 — October 31, 2011
Foodstock
More than 20,000 people show up to Foodstock, an event organized by high-profile chef Michael Stadtlander, among the quarry opponents.
· Slide # 13
December 2011 — December 31, 2011
Highland responds
Highland maintains its proposal is only a starting point for discussion. The company says it is addressing all concerns and is committed to going through a rigorous licensing process to ensure plans are scientifically sound.
· Slide # 14
October 2012 — October 31, 2012
Second 'culinary protest' Soupstock
Soupstock, a second culinary protest, draws thousands to Woodbine Park, where more than 200 chefs serve up homemade soups.
· Slide # 15
November 21, 2012
Highland withdraws
Highland announces it is withdrawing its quarry application.