Stop Quarry Expansion Into Ecological Treasure

My name is John, and I represent a group called Friends of the Burnt Lands. We are opposed to the proposed expansion of a local quarry into a parcel of land identified for Environmental Protection. The property in question is a rare type of terrain known as an alvar. The 18.2 hectares (44 acres) under immediate threat is part of the Burnt Lands Alvar near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and was designated by the province some years ago as an ANSI (Area of Natural and Scientific Interest). We have a limited time to stop this expansion.

More specifically, "an alvar is a biological environment based on a limestone plain with thin or no soil and, as a result, sparse grassland vegetation. Often flooded in the spring, and affected by drought in midsummer, most alvars occur either in northern Europe or around the Great Lakes in North America. This stressed habitat supports a community of rare plants and animals, including species more commonly found on prairie grasslands. Lichen and mosses are common components. Trees and bushes, when present, tend to be stunted". (Wikipedia)

The property owner, Thomas Cavanagh Construction Limited, has recently applied to the City of Ottawa and the Province of Ontario for permission to expand their existing limestone quarry into this currently protected and valuable part of our natural heritage. But also of great concern are two parcels of land totaling 56.2 h (139 acres) on the southeast side of the existing quarry. This land is also owned by Cavanagh Construction but is likewise protected and part of the Burnt Lands Alvar. However, if the first expansion is allowed, then a proposal to expand into this other irreplaceable part of our natural heritage is soon to follow,

Funds raised will be used to hire legal experts who can help us to navigate through the myriad of documents, formal submissions, hearings and other red tape. If there are any excess funds left over after a final decision has been made, they will be used to continue the fight to ward off other development in the Burnt Lands Alvar.