Quarry expansion and salamanders the focus of Burlington public forum

Updates on the public stance against a Burling quarry expansion and information about the endangered Jefferson Salamander will be the topics discussed at a community meeting tonight (Feb. 26).

Members of CORE (Conserving Our Rural Ecosystems) will lead the discussion which takes place at Brant Hills Community Centre starting at 7 p.m.

According to CORE, the meeting will discuss the Nelson Aggregate plans and strategies the community has to halt the quarry expansion.

At issue is the proposed expansion of gravel mining on the Niagara Escarpment. The expansion application by Nelson Aggregates calls for expanding its existing mining operation by 50.5 hectares on Mount Nemo.

Opponents such as CORE point to the potential ecological damage that continuous mining will have on the environmentally sensitive site. Those in favour of the expansion say the raw material produced by the quarry is needed to meet the building demands in the GTHA.

If the plan proceeds, Nelson Aggregates has offered to donate the land at the end of the life of the quarry, which is proposed to be phased out in stages over 30 years. It has been suggested the rehabilitated quarry could be used as a large park.

The City of Burlington has taken a stance to oppose the expansion.

The case for expanding the quarry will go before the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) for a ruling.

As for the Jefferson Salamander, the meeting will also look at how the quarry expansion may affect its survival.

The Brant Hills Community Centre is located at 2255 Brant St.