Skeleton Lake News

Re:  Proposed Lippa Pit and Quarry - Pre-Hearing Conference Information

As you are aware from my previous communications on this topic, Frank Lippa is seeking an Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment to allow a 54.8 hectare (135.4 acres) quarry, with an extraction area of 26.4 hectares (65.2 acres), in the vicinity of Butler Mill Road and Aspdin Road, less than 2 kilometers from Skeleton Lake.

 The purpose of this letter is to give you further information about the upcoming February 21, 2018 OMB Pre-Hearing Conference ("PHC") to be held at the Municipal Office, 1 Bailey Street, Port Carling commencing at 10 a.m.  The information that follows has been provided by SLCO's counsel, Donnelly Law.  

 The primary reason for the PHC is to determine whether Mr. Lippa and his consulting team are ready to proceed to a hearing; i.e. are all his studies and reports completed.  If so, the OMB Board Member may ask parties to settle on available dates for a hearing.    If Mr. Lippa is not "ready to go", then he will ask the Board for a second PHC, likely three or four months from now. 

 Setting a date for a hearing is greatly dependent on the duration anticipated.  A hearing of a few days can be scheduled in the next few months; longer hearings are being scheduled later this year.  We anticipate that approximately three weeks is needed for the Lippa hearing, which means that the first available dates for a hearing will likely be 9-12 months from now.

 If a hearing date is set, the parties will then agree on dates to exchange witness lists, witness statements and reply statements, and visual exhibits.  These exchanges normally occur approximately three months prior to the hearing date. 

 At the PHC, the SLCO and the Township of Muskoka Lakes will be seeking "party" status.  A party must demonstrate that it has some interest in the proceedings (e.g. property ownership, concern for the environment) and must have communicated with Council regarding the application (e.g. attended Council's meeting and vote on June 10, 2017).  If party status is granted (which is likely), SLCO will have the right to call expert evidence, cross-examine Lippa's witnesses, and make closing arguments.  

 Citizens who wish to have "party" status should be prepared to call expert evidence on any issue that they raise; if the citizen plans to give evidence him/herself ("lay witness"), it is preferable he/she have recognized credentials which qualify them to give evidence on that issue.  Parties that call lay witness evidence only and do not assist the Board may be liable for costs.  Citizens who do not have the credentials to be a witness, but who wish to participate by giving a short statement, can alternatively ask for "participant" status.    SLCO will assist participants by drafting a Participant Statement which anyone who is opposed to the quarry can sign and submit.

 The onus to prove the quarry represents good planning and will not adversely impact the environment rests with Mr. Lippa.  It is his lawyer's responsibility to provide the issues his consultants will be addressing at the hearing.  Anyone wishing to seek party or participant status should come to the PHC with a rough outline of their issues; e.g. noise, dust, water quality, traffic safety, etc.  Expert witnesses will not be called at the PHC.

 SLCO will be contacting Mr. Lippa's lawyer to ascertain whether a hearing date will be sought at the PHC, or whether this PHC is just a status update.  I will advise you of the response we receive.  In the meantime, please feel free to contact me with your questions or concerns.

As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Scott May, President

Skeleton Lake Cottagers Organization

e:   scott@skeletonlake.ca

c:   416 559 2839

To: SLCO Members

Re:  Status Update #2 - Proposed Lippa Pit and Quarry

With 2018 underway, I wanted to send you an update on the actions the SLCO Board and our lawyer, David Donnelly, have taken with respect to opposing the proposed Lippa pit and quarry.

We have retained a number of experts to help us prepare our case for the OMB hearing.  We have already received a preliminary report from a traffic safety expert, who has identified a number of issues that would arise on Aspdin Road as a result of the heavy truck traffic that would be generated by the quarry operations.

We are also meeting this week with David Pink, Director of Planning for the Township of Muskoka Lakes.  As you know, Township Council unanimously rejected Lippa's re-zoning application for the quarry, and we are working with David to co-ordinate our opposition.  

A reminder that a pre-hearing conference will be held on Wednesday, February 21, 2018.  The purpose of this conference is to determine the issues, parties, and participants prior to the actual Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) hearing, which is expected to take place later this year or early 2019.  As David has advised, a strong turnout from residents and cottagers who are opposed to the proposed pit and quarry is important at the pre-hearing conference.  Thus, please mark Wednesday, February 21, at 10:00 am at the Township of Muskoka Lakes Council Chambers in Port Carling on your calendar, and plan to attend if possible. 

In the interim, we encourage all members to go to the SMP website (stopmuskokapit.ca) and sign the petition opposing the Lippa quarry.  The petition represents the voice of many in the community.  There are now almost 2,000 signatures on it!

As communicated last month, SLCO has sufficient funds to meet both the legal and expert costs it is currently incurring, up until the pre-hearing conference.  However, substantial additional monies will be required if we are to succeed at the subsequent OMB hearing.  Our intention is to launch a fundraising effort over the next few months. 

We will continue to keep you informed on this important issue.  We appreciate your ongoing support as we work hard to keep Skeleton Lake the special place we all enjoy.

As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Scott May, President

Skeleton Lake Cottagers Organization

e:   scott@skeletonlake.ca

c:   416 559 2839

December 17, 2017

To:  SLCO Members

Re:  Status Update of Proposed Lippa Pit and Quarry

A brief note to keep you informed on the status of the proposed Lippa pit and quarry:

As many of you are aware, SLCO and the “Stop Muskoka Pit” group have been working together to oppose a 200,000 tonne/year pit and quarry that Frank Lippa is proposing to develop at a site 1.7 km from Skeleton Lake.  In June of this year, the Township of Muskoka Lakes Council voted unanimously to deny Mr. Lippa’s rezoning application, in response to concerns raised about the impaired water quality, noise, and traffic that would result from such an operation.  Mr. Lippa subsequently filed an appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).  In response, SLCO has retained external counsel (David Donnelly) and various experts to assist us in opposing Mr. Lippa’s appeal.

Last week, we received some new information about the OMB Lippa appeal hearing.  Specifically, a pre-hearing conference will be held on Wednesday, February 21.  The purpose of this conference is to determine the issues, parties, and participants prior to the actual OMB hearing, which is expected to take place next summer.  As David advises, a strong turnout from residents and cottagers who are opposed to the proposed quarry will be important at the pre-hearing conference.  Thus, please mark Wednesday, February 21, 10:00 am at the Township of Muskoka Lakes Council Chambers in Port Carling on your calendar, and plan to attend if possible. 

Fortunately, SLCO has sufficient funds on hand to meet the legal and expert costs it is incurring, up until the pre-hearing conference.  However, substantial additional monies will be needed if we are to mount a successful opposition at the subsequent OMB hearing.  Our intention is to launch a significant fundraising effort in the New Year. 

We will continue to keep you informed on this matter, and are confident of your ongoing support as we fight to maintain the pristine water, along with the peace and quiet, that are so central to our enjoyment of Skeleton Lake.

As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Scott May, President

Skeleton Lake Cottagers Organization

e:   scott@skeletonlake.ca

c:   416 559 2839

The District of Muskoka is considering a policy change that will result in an alarming increase in the number of condos and residential communities on the Muskoka waterfront.  In an attempt to preserve Muskoka's "grand resort" tradition, the District’s planners are suggesting that commercial resorts should be allowed to redevelop as residential communities.  The current proposal is that these "hybrid" resorts could designate up to 50% of their units as conventional homes.  The rest would be required to enter a "rental pool" for an undetermined number of weeks per year. 

The problem is that resorts in Muskoka have special dispensation to build at much higher density than residential communities.  (The District calls this "enhanced density permissions.")  Developers are watching to see if this change goes through.  If it does, we could see new, high-density residential development all over Muskoka, on big lakes and small.

To further understand what is being proposed, and how in turn you can help, please click here.

The SLCO Board of Directors 

SLCO is continuing preparations for the Lippa Pit/Quarry Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) hearing. Many of you probably have questions about what to expect at an OMB hearing. Here is a brief take on the hearing process from our lawyers at Donnelly Law.

Hearing Process: While each OMB hearing is unique, aggregate applications generally follow the same process leading up to the hearing.

• Step 1: The Prehearing Conference. Mr. Lippa filed his appeal on July 10, 2017. The Prehearing conference should be scheduled for a one-day Board attendance within a few months of receiving Mr. Lippa's application. Prehearings deal with procedure and set out a roadmap for the hearing. At the Prehearing, the Board will determine and grant "Party" and "Participant" status.

 It is important to get a good turnout to the Prehearing conference. 

• Step 2: The Hearing Issues. The parties to the appeal list their "issues" for the hearing. For example, does the application conform with the Township Official Plan? Are negative impacts to Skeleton Lake expected? Will the operation meet Provincial noise limits? Since Mr. Lippa appealed Council's decision, the onus is on Mr. Lippa to prove his application is good planning and complies with planning requirements. 

• Step 3: Witness Lists and Statements. The parties to the appeal advise each other who they will call to give evidence.  OMB hearings focus mainly on expert evidence. For an aggregate application like this , we can expect to hear from a range of disciplines: land use planning, terrestrial and aquatic ecology, hydrogeology (groundwater), hydrology (surface water), water quality, traffic engineering and safety, cultural heritage, and acoustical engineering.  In advance of the hearing, witnesses are required to produce a witness statement, which is a summary of their professional opinion, key conclusions and recommendations, based on their investigations and analysis.
• Step 4: Hearing on the Merits. We anticipate this hearing will be 2-3 weeks in length. It is rare for the Provincial Government to intervene and participate in an OMB hearing. SLCO will be asking both the MNRF and MOECC to defend the important environmental features involved in this application, including Skeleton Lake. 

 

Role for the Public: Many people are asking how they can get involved and support SLCO for the OMB hearing.

• Attendance: OMB prehearings and hearings on the merit are open to the public. A hearing day is typically 10 am - 4 pm. We expect the hearing on the merits to be scheduled sometime in Spring 2018, at the earliest.
• Support SLCO: Let your local Councillor know your position, ask questions about the hearing, or donate to help cover our expert consultant, legal and hearing fees.

As expected, Mr. Frank Lippa is appealing to the Ontario Municipal Board (“OMB”) the decision of the Township of Muskoka Lakes to reject his pit and quarry applications.  The Township has confirmed that Mr. Lippa filed his appeals on July 10, 2017. 

SLCO and residents turned out in great numbers to the Township of Muskoka Lakes Council meeting on June 16, 2017, to voice their concerns with Mr. Lippa’s Planning Act applications to permit a 200,000 tonnes/year pit and quarry – and it worked. Council voted unanimously to deny Mr. Lippa’s rezoning and Official Plan applications . Thanks to your support, SLCO put forward an evidence-based case for Council to reject the Lippa pit and quarry.

On June 26, 2017, the Town of Huntsville also voted unanimously to support the Township of Muskoka Lakes’ decision.

Below, please find information from our lawyer on what to expect with an OMB appeal, and how you can help.

SLCO expects a contested hearing, as multiple unresolved issues have been identified by our experts, e.g. impacts to Skeleton Lake, traffic safety, noise, etc. We have heard that local Indigenous communities received stacks of binders from the Applicant in late May, only a short time before the June Council meeting, which our lawyer says is "patently unreasonable".

 Information on OMB Hearings

The OMB hearing requires a substantial financial commitment in order for SLCO to put its best case forward to convince the OMB to refuse Mr. Lippa's proposed pit and quarry.

SLCO members continue to voice the importance of protecting and enhancing the health of our Skeleton Lake watershed, and according to Mr. Gord Miller, the former Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, the Lippa pit and quarry application is a direct threat to the Lake we all love.

 

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry: Aggregate Licence Application

 July 10, 2017, was the deadline for the public to submit Letters of Objection to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. SLCO submitted comprehensive and expert-based objections, thanks to your support. We also thank those of you who submitted your own Letters of Objection to the Ministry, ensuring our community's voice is heard.  These will be available on our website.

We eagerly await the Applicant's response to our concerns about the impacts to Skeleton Lake and our community, and will update you once we have them.

The Ministry is responsible for processing Mr. Lippa's aggregate licence application under the Aggregate Resources Act.  There is a chance that the Ministry will refer Mr. Lippa’s licence application to the OMB. Often, the OMB will hear both planning appeals (rezoning and Official Plan matters) and aggregate licensing matters in a single hearing.

Other Updates on the Lippa Pit and Quarry

To date, there have been no comments from the Province on the application on many important issues, such as impacts to Skeleton Lake tributaries and the Lake, air quality, noise, etc. 

The Township of Muskoka Lakes will also be preparing its case against the Lippa pit and quarry. SLCO needs to engage the Township to ensure it continues to represent our community’s voice and hires experts to support this position.

What You Can Do

• Donate to SLCO to cover the cost of our legal and expert fees.
• Call or write your local Councillor and the Mayor, and thank the Township of Muskoka Lakes for taking a stand to protect our environment and community.
• Encourage local and provincial governments to engage Indigenous communities.

SLCO will send weekly updates on the Lippa pit and quarry, and related issues.

Scott May

President

Skeleton Lake Cottagers Organization

Yesterday,  the SLCO's legal council, Donnelly Law, filed an official Letter of Objection with the MNRF calling on them to reject the application by Mr. Frank Lippa for a Class "A" License to operate a pit and quarry on Butler Mill Rd.  

You can read the Letter of Objection in its entirety here  2017 07 10 Ltr from Donnelly Law re Objection to Lippa Pit.pdf

The SLCO Board of Directors 

The SLCO has indicated it's opposition to the proposed Lippa Pit & Quarry in a letter sent to the Township of Muskoka Lakes Planning Director yesterday. The SLCO will deliver that same message to the ToML Council Meeting on June 16th 2017, where they will consider this application.

Our members and others in the community are asking what else they can do to express their opposition to this application.  We strongly encourage you to contact the ToML to express your individual concerns about this application. 

In order to ensure your comments are kept in the public record and part of this application it is best if you submit your objections in writing, either by Canada Post, email or fax to the Planning Committee of the Township of Muskoka Lakes at -

David Pink,  Director of Planning, Township of Muskoka Lakes,  P.O. Box 129, Port Carling, Ontario, P0B 1J0, email: dpink@muskokalakes.ca,  Phone: (705) 765-3156  Fax: (705) 765-6755  www.muskokalakes.ca

In addition you can copy the Mayor of the Township of Muskoka Lakes - 

Donald Furniss, Mayor, Township of Muskoka Lakes,  P.O. Box 129, Port Carling, Ontario, P0B 1J0, email: don.furness@muskokalakes.ca  Phone:(705) 765-3156 Fax: (705) 765-6755 

You may also want to include a copy to your elected ToML representative -

Ward A

Ruth-Ellen Nishikawa,  District and Township Councillor,  ruth.nishikawa@muskokalakes.ca

Sandy Currie, Township Councillor,  sandy.currie@muskokalakes.ca

Donelda Hayes, Township Councillor,  donelda.hayes@muskokalakes.ca

Ward B

Allen Edwards, District and Township Councillor,   allen.edwards@muskokalakes.ca

Linda Barrick-Spearn, Township Councillor,  linda.barrick-spearn@muskokalakes.ca

Gault McTaggart, Township Councillor,  gault.mctaggart@muskokalakes.ca

Ward C

Phil Harding, District and Township Councillor,  phil.harding@muskokalakes.ca

Jean-Ann Baranik, Deputy Mayor, Township Councillor,  jean-ann.baranik@muskokalakes.ca

Terry Ledger, Township Councillor,  terry.ledger@muskokalakes.ca

If you are outside the Township of Muskoka Lakes and this rezoning will still affect you, you may wish to contact your local municipality's Planning Department and/or elected representatives in your area.

Town of Huntsville:  
Stisted (Aspdin Rd), Stephenson (Allensville) & Port Sydney (Ward 3, 4 & 5) Councillor,

Kirstin Maxwell, Director of Planning, Town of Huntsville, 37 Main St East (705) 789-1751,   kirstin.maxwell@huntsville.ca

Ward 3, 4 & 5

Jason FitzGerald, Township Councillor, 705-385-1838

Det Schumacher, Township Councillor, 705-385-2677

To email these representatives and for further contact information go to: http://www.huntsville.ca/en/townhall/meetyourcouncillors.asp

Seguin Township District of Parry Sound: 

5 Humphrey Dr., Seguin, 705-732-4300  http://www.seguin.ca

Ward 6: Jack Hepworth  705-346-2181 hepworthjack@gmail.com

Ward 3: Rod Osborne  705-774-6166  rodfosborne@gmail.com 

District of Muskoka: 70 Pine Street Bracebridge, Tel: 705-645-2231

https://www.muskoka.on.ca/en/index.aspx 

Today the SLCO sent a letter to the Township of Muskoka Lakes Planning Director David Pink, registering it's opposition to an application by Mr. Frank Lippa to create a large pit and quarry operation on Butler Mill Rd, just north of Skeleton Lake off of Aspdin Rd. The SLCO feels the proposal, known as The Lippa Pit & Quarry (Lippa), could have a significant impact on the environment at the north end of the lake, the residents who access the area from Aspdin Road, and could potentially impact our water quality. The proposed Lippa operation would require an amendment to the Official Plan as well as changes to the zoning of the lands where the quarry would be located.  The proposed amendments are to be considered at a council meeting scheduled June 16th at ToML council chambers in Port Carling.  More information can be found here http://www.muskokalakes.ca/content/planning . You can read a copy of our letter here SLCO to ToML re Lippa Quarry.pdf Why is this important to residents and cottagers on Skeleton Lake? The SLCO has reviewed various studies submitted in support of the application and has concerns about potential impacts on the environment, wildlife, pollution, traffic and water quality.    What can you do? Share this information with your neighbours and help increase awareness  Write a letter to your town officials (we will be posting a list of town contacts on our website shortly) Sign a petition created by local residents at https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-the-lippa-pit-quarry.html. We will be communicating with you by email over the coming weeks as more information becomes available.  You can also keep up to date via our Facebook group and at our website at www.skeletonlake.ca . Thank you for your support. Scott May President

Courtesy: Ken Reese

Muskoka Beech are under attack by the Beech Bark Disease, an insect-fungus complex. This disease has now pretty much spread through the entire range of the beech species. In the insect stage of the disease, the crawler nymphs, less than a millimetre, hatch in late summer, soon cover themselves in a white, woolly wax filament and feed by inserting their stylet into the inner bark of the tree. 

The scale insect looks like a white tuft and the colonies can be numerous enough to lend a whitish cast to the bark. By spring the adult stage of the scale continues to feed and lays its eggs in the summer. The insects do not kill the tree but do weaken it over time.

In the fungus stage of the disease, the fungal spores are carried by wind and rain and over a period of 2-10 years, enter the feeding wounds left by the scale insect,. The fungus feeds on the inner bark and cambial layer causing small cankers to appear on the surface of the smooth bark.

These cankers continue to grow and often within 3-6 years girdle the stem. The conspicuous clusters of fruiting bodies of the sexual stage appear in the fall as red coloured bulbs some 2-3 mm in height and can be numerous enough to give a reddish cast to the bark.

For the cottager, damage can occur from dead branches or the collapse of the tree. Careful inspection of your beech treecan identify the insect and the fungal stages of the disease and precautionary measures can be taken.