BREAKING NEWS
The Orangeville Banner has just posted online that The Highland Companies on November 21st has withdrawn it’s application to the province for a licence to mine 2,316 acres of land in Melancthon for limestone. As a result, Highland plans to continue to focus on its farming operations.
Acccording to a Press Release, John Scherer, principal of The Highland Companies states: “While we believe that the quarry would have brought significant economic benefit to Melancthon Township and served Ontario’s well-documented need for aggregate, we acknowledge that the application does not have sufficient support from the community and government to justify proceeding with the approval process,”
This news is very significant, given the massive level of public and celebrity attention it had received. Concerns continued to grow over the size of the quarry, the fact that it will render some of the most arable farmland in North America unusable and also for the potential to cause massive ecological damage to an entire area ecosystem.
Much of the fight was waged by a community group known as Stop the Quarry, and a few minutes ago on their Facebook page the following comment was made:
BREAKING NEWS folks!!!
The proposal for the mega quarry has been withdrawn!
We, the people, did it! We stopped the mega quarry!
We’ve got a lot to be proud of and a lot to celebrate
This is fantastic news and news that should be embraced and celebrated by both environmentalists and activists everywhere. It proves that through the power of a strong and unified voice, there is enough influence to change decisions that ultimately will be harmful to both our environement and citizens alike.
Congratulations to everyone involved in this effort. Today you have so very much to be proud about!
Thank you…and congratulations to you as well on your incredible achievement! When thinking on what you were able to accomplish, I am instantly reminded of this famous quote by Margaret Mead:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Congratulations once again!!
Hi Enviro Dad, it is people like You and your Readers that Stopped the Mega-Quarry. By paying attention, talking up the issue, posting lawn signs, donating, volunteering, letter-writing and becoming a squeaky wheel we stood our ground. For this round at least, food & water came first. This win shows that nothing is ever a done deal. Keep up the good fight!