Risks Outweigh Benefits for Locals

Though by superficial initial impression this project seems to benefit marmora and the country, it is clear that the only certainties surrounding it are the extensive environmental damage and destruction it will cause to a historic man made local attraction, surrounding forests, marshes and waterways. It risks disrupting and displacing 176 different species, 28 of which are identified as at risk. There are only ambiguous grandiose promises of some sort of country wide net gain when locally, the certainties include: “carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and other GHG will also be released to the atmosphere during all phases of the Project” (Pg. 100). During the first 5 years “direct and indirect GHG emissions for construction have been estimated at 39,871 tCO2e per year” (Pg. 101). Noise and vibration emissions are expected to occur throughout the duration of the Project too. These figures are highly concerning considering the proximity of the Project to local homes and businesses, specifically Caressant Care Marmora (nursing home), and Sacred Heart Catholic School (JK to Gr. 8) not to mention an overzealous disruption of the main artery of the town and region, Highway #7 which, single laned in nature is already restrictive, and due to the increase in local traffic in recent years would struggle to support additional industrial traffic during the projects construction phase. It is no question that there is extremely limited benefit for the town of Marmora and possibly endless risk to the citizens of Marmora and the Hastings area. The shady particulars, opportunistic margin of ambiguity and lack of accountability, plus questionable adherence and continuation of environmental analysis and precaution, make this Project an extreme risk to Marmora residents and Canadians in the vain vail of offsetting the Carbon footprint that would likely be negated by the environmental impacts of this anyways.    

Due to the unclear nature of the documentation, certain questions must be answered before an endeavor of this indelible magnitude should be considered:

• Should properties be negatively affected by changes in the under and above ground water supply, what is OPG prepared to do? Do the needs and risks of Marmora residents supersede the profits and benefits of OPG?
• Does OPG utilize internal hiring practices, and are the positions in Marmora more likely to be filled by existing employees willing to relocate, than local residents? Once operational, how will OPG seek and hire local employees?
• The Project is said to be sustainable for 100 years, but may be decommissioned or re-contracted in 25 years. What are the factors being considered by OPG that may cause them to want to sell or decommission the Project within 25 years?
• What are the potential risks for Marmora should the Project be decommissioned in 25 years and what has OPG and Marmora planned to mitigate these risks?
• How does the approval of this project lead the way for future projects in the area or on the same property going forward? Should the Project be decommissioned and a new company purchase the land, or a company purchase other land in the area, will the need for a comprehensive project proposal, including numerous investigative reports and community input be required? 
• How will the history of Marmora as a mining town be honnoured and will the Project remain a visual attraction in Marmora for locals and tourists to visit?