A group of concerned citizens are hoping a new provincial coalition can help them fight a proposed aggregate quarry near Skeleton Lake.
The proposed Lippa Quarry has been the source of much controversy over the past several years in Muskoka Lakes Township. The proposed rock crushing pit has been staunchly opposed by residents in the area of Skeleton Lake, Lambert’s Lake and Mud Lake as well as by organisations like the Muskoka Lakes Association and the Skeleton Lake Cottagers’ Association.
According to opponents, Lippa Quarry would be excavated to a depth below the water table. Among other concerns, the groups are concerned that effluent could potentially leach into the lake and have negative impacts on the entire watershed community. Other concerns include noise, dust, traffic and safety.
Now quarry opponents are optimistic that a recently launched group called Reform Gravel Mining Coalition (RGMC) could be helpful in the campaign to stop the Lippa Quarry. The partners in the coalition are Environmental Defence, Council of Canadians, Water Watchers and the Wilderness Committee.
The RGMC is demanding a moratorium on all new applications for gravel mining in Ontario.
“As we have experienced in our campaign to stop the Lippa Quarry application, policy reform with regard to regulation of the gravel mining industry is long overdue, and hopefully the RGMC will help to bring this about,” says Tom Newman, a Skeleton Lake cottage who formed the group Stop the Pit to block the proposed Lippa Pit and Quarry.
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