The Rural Voice, 1999-05, Page 23i
water from springs that feed thc
headwaters of streams or from wells
tapping the underground aquifers
"has to have an impact in
surrounding aquifers," Bonwick
stresses.
Anders too is concerned about
the fact that the water will be
taken out of the local water
system, never to be returned. Local
agriculture, he argues, is dependent
on water and was hard hit by last
year's drought. "People are already
having to drill wells. Some farmers
have had to sell their cattle because
they couldn't water them."
The issue of "riparian rights" is
one of the issues opponents of the
Flesherton proposal raised. The
spring feeds a stream, wetland and a
pond nearby, Anders says. It's illegal
under riparian rights to intercept
water flowing onto another person's
property, he says. A hydrologist
hired by the group felt taking water
from the stream would. harm the
wetland which is in the headwater of
"Some people are
already having to drill
wells."
the Rocky Saugeen River.
Yet, it's hard for those concerned
about water taking to prove on a
scientific basis that there is a danger.
When word leaked out about thc
Flesherton plans and the coalition
was formed to oppose the
application, the 15-16 member group
came up against the company's
hydrological report which said there
would be no ill effects of the water
taking. Yet looking at the report,
raised questions, says Anders. They
eventually hired their hydrologist to
prepare for the presentation to the
Ministry of Environment hearing.
However, Anders says, there are
already two more applications for
water taking in the area and there is
only so much energy and so much
money to fight the issue.
Groups opposed to large-scale
water taking face stiff odds. While
anyone wanting to take more than
50,000 litres of water a day for any
use other than domestic, livestock
watering or fire control must get a
permit from the Ministry of the
Environment, neighbours may not
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MAY 1999 19