Proposed ASPHALT PLANT-KEEP LITTLE LAKE CLEAN AND OUR ROADS SAFE

The community around Little Lake and Cramahe Township is also a vibrant active population. Composed of every conceivable demographic, this area has a history of robust activism to keep “Little Lake Clean” and our community roads safe for current and future generations. 

• Location

  The land that the proposed Asphalt Plant will be located fronts on the south side of Telephone Rd. This is the northern portion of the property. It is bordered to the west by Dunk Rd and on the south by Environmentally controlled wetlands. The eastern boundary of the property is bordered by an operational farm of about 36.6 acres, a rural 12-acre lot and residence. The area south of the proposed plant and fronting on Crandall Rd. includes 8 rural lots and homes serviced by private wells.

  • There are properties that are within 90 meters of the subject proposal.

• Extraction

  The original license # 3066 for the top portion of the property was licensed on April 13, 1978.

  A Subsequent license # 624970 was issued for the southern half of the property. This portion of the property was reportedly exhausted. The gravel weigh scale and processing equipment was removed from the site in 2017.

• Topography

  The land in this proposal is flat and low lying with a southernly slope ending in an area that is adjacent to an Environmental Conservation Zone.

• Community

  This community, across Telephone Rd, Crandall Rd, Lake Rd, Little Lake and more, is an energetic area that includes farms, rural residences and recreational areas such as Little Lake and a very active well established KOA. This population crosses Township Borders but remains a grouping of similarly spirited rural participants, all of who believe our lifestyle, health and financial well-being is threatened by this proposal.

• History

  Since the early 1970’s Cramahe Township struggled to bring in industrial and large commercial businesses to the area despite the development of an Industrial Park. The Township’s low-density population was an impediment to Industry looking for skilled workers even though the Township and the Industrial Park is located strategically between Toronto and Montreal along the 401 corridors. 

  Requests for severeness in rural and small farming areas flourished from the 1970’s to today with the result that Cramahe’s rural residential new building income added significantly to the financial stability of the township. 

  Several severances were approved along Crandall Rd., a 3.6 KM stretch of road, where today more than fifty [50] residential homes are located. Seven residences on Crandall Rd back onto the Environmental Conservation Zone. One home on Dunk Rd was severed and rezoned at the south end of the proposed site for the then owners of the “Pit”. 

  All of these residents are on Private well systems. The 7 residential lots on Crandall Rd and One on Dunk Rd. have wells as shallow as 15 ft, have never run dry during draught conditions and draw water from the Environmentally sensitive area just north of their properties. Crandall Rd. alone has more homes and available building lots than exist in the settlement area of Edville.

  Telephone Rd contributed to this buildup of Rural housing and has added to the community spirit of the area with well over 90 homes, home businesses and Farms. It is a fair assessment to say that this rural community has supported Cramahe Township through their tax contributions throughout the years. The community extends along Telephone Rd. into Brighton Township where the rural vitality includes local entrepreneurs, small business entities,  and homes all adding to the strength of the community. This community has continually upgraded their homes, built new homes and reinvested in their holdings ensuring the prosperity of the Township with their support.

• The Environmental & Health Impacts of Asphalt Plants

  Known carcinogens have been found in asphalt fumes generated at work sites. Observations of acute irritation in workers from airborne and dermal exposures to asphalt fumes and aerosols and the potential for chronic health effects, including cancer, warrant continued diligence in the control of exposures.

  Toxic emissions from asphalt plants include:

  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): These can cause DNA damage, oxidative stress, and other genetic alterations. 

  • Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): These are cancer-causing chemicals. 

  • Arsenic, benzene, formaldehyde, and cadmium: These are cancer-causing chemicals. 

  • Particulate matter: These are inhalable particles that can cause respiratory problems. 

  • Sulfur dioxide: This is an air pollutant released by asphalt plants. 

  • Nitrogen dioxide: This is an air pollutant released by asphalt plants.
    
    What are the health effects of these toxic emissions? 

    Cancer, central nervous system problems, liver damage, respiratory problems, skin irritation, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, headaches, and dizziness.

• Traffic Impact of a Proposed Asphalt Plant.

  Telephone Road is a local, surface-treated road not designed for high truck volumes, with a current average of 425 vehicles per day and low truck traffic. Extensive research shows that heavy trucks cause exponential pavement damage, with one fully loaded truck potentially equating to thousands of car trips. Increased truck traffic from a proposed asphalt plant—potentially doubling or tripling current levels—will accelerate road deterioration, leading to rapid structural failure instead of the expected 20+ years. Doubling truck traffic can reduce road lifespan by 40% to 70%, imposing high repair costs on local taxpayers. Proper infrastructure planning is essential before permitting heavy industrial use in order to prevent premature road failure and excessive maintenance expenses.

This map, still in current use by Cramahe Township, is approximately 48 years old. Yellow indicates the Extractive Zone and the subject lands, Red indicates Rural Residential homes supported by wells. Grey with Blue Lines are all part of an Environmental Zone. All the subject lands fall under the Biddy Lake Watershed.

This map identifies the Biddy Creek Watershed area. The current subject lands are completely enveloped by the watershed, as is Little Lake. This area is a significant and highly sensitive wetland area and is a source of water for hundreds of wells within its boundaries. Little Lake absorbs Spring thaw runoff and rainfall in the area and would be an immediate catchall for any spills or contamination from the subject lands.

This view of the pit highlights the housing density of Little Lake which is less than 2 Km to the east of the Pit. An aqueduct conveys water under the Bridge at Lake Rd and the 401 and on into Little Lake.