Dear Editor:
The proposed location of a large trucking depot at the corner of Gilmour and Brock Roads in Aberfoyle raises questions about the trade-off between business interests and the preservation of natural assets, as a legacy for the future, within a growing urban community.
One of the objections to the proposed depot is related to Mill Creek, a cold-water stream running through Aberfoyle. More than a century ago Mill Creek was a key part of the business infrastructure of Aberfoyle. The Aberfoyle Mill, powered by Mill Creek, was built in 1859 and functioned as a highly successful grist mill for over 60 years, winning a gold medal in 1867 at the World’s Fair in Paris, for its oatmeal.
Today, it serves as a bellwether for water quality in the area surrounding Aberfoyle and provides peaceful recreational and educational services to citizens of all ages.
While the proposed truck depot will meet all the guidelines related to septic systems and surface run-off, spills and septic overflows due to extreme weather or equipment failure are a possibility. Here is a situation where the application of the precautionary principle should apply: while the likelihood of a harmful event to the environment is small, the damage could be catastrophic.
To avoid irreparable damage to Mill Creek, and ensure this pristine asset is available for many future generations, the township and Wellington Freight Motors should work together to locate an alternative site for the depot, far removed from the Mill Creek area.
Douglas Auld,
Puslinch