Earlier letter from J. and D. Manary, 748 Base Line

The following is the full text of a letter sent on August 15, 2002 to Ontario Minister of the Environment Chris Stockwell by Jennifer and Douglas Manary of 748 Base Line. This document is faithful to the original and has not been edited for spelling or grammar:

**************************************************************** 748 Base Line A Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 5K6

August 15, 2002

TSH 523 Wellington St E. Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2M4

RE: Site l(b) Servicing of Industrial Site on Base Line

Attn: Mr. Rick Talvitie, P.Eng.

Dear Mr. Talvitie;

As we have been away on holiday we did not get this to you earlier.

We hope you will give the following some consideration when proceeding with this project.

After attending the open house at City Hall regarding the servicing of the Industrial Lands on Base Line (Site 1b) we would like to submit the following comments and/or concerns about the servicing of this site.

Please keep in mind we live up on top of the hill - across from GP Flakeboard.

1. After the construction of GP Flakeboard it has come to our attention that several neighbours in the area had their wells dry up and and another had his contanmiated.

As we are several hundred feet from Base Lme and presently on a well. If this were to happen to us due to the construction at another site it would be very costly for us to replace our well with another - or hook up to City water if that were available at that time.

We hope this will be considered and some thought given as to how we might be compensated should this occur.

2 Due to the increased truck traffic with GP Flakeboard on our roads we can no longer enjoy walks in the evening along the eastern end of the Base Line.

If there were to be construction at the site southwest of us, this will also bring with it more truck traffic.

As a family who enjoys the outdoors, this is very distressing - especially with two young children who will someday want to ride bicycles in the area.

Also, increased truck traffic brings with it more noise. The trucks coming and going from GP Flakeboard are at times very noisy - and the increase in traffic will only worsen the problem for us.

3. GP Flakeboard creates quite a smell when the wind is just right.

We are not the only ones in the area smelling it - it can be detected out on Second Line as well as down Wallace Terrace - depending on the wind.

Some days the smell of wood is very strong. Another site will surely only compound the problem - depending on the type of company permitted to build there.

4. GP Flakeboard alone creates quite a bit of high pitched noise.

There are no trees or "burms" between us and GP - as we overlook them from the hill.

We've lost a big chunk of our view - and have gained much increased noise - from the mill as well as the traffic coming and going.

With another industrial site open for construction the noise will only increase.

5. The removal of the vegetation to allow for the rail lines to GP has greatly decreased the natural beauty along base line.

Prior to the removal of most of the trees and shrubs the slag piles were not quite as visible as they are today.

As well, much of the marsh land that accommodated birds of all varieties is gone.

Our concern is that more vegetation will be removed at the north west comer of Base Line and Leighs Bay to accommodate traffic and / or rail lines.

This would not enhance the area for the local residents - and would provide less buffer for any noise coming from the site.

We realize we are surrounded by Industrial Land and that employment is essential to the Sault.

However my family has owned this property for the past 40 some years and we have enjoyed it as a peaceful and restful spot.

We are gradually losing the peacefulness and gaining noise, traffic and pollution.

We ask that you consider these things as you plan this next site and YES we would like to be contacted regarding any future opportunities for input.

Sincerely,

Jennifer and Dougles Manary