Councillor Brad Clark says the Ontario Realty Corporation’s report on the lands surrounding the Eramosa Karst does not change the City of Hamilton and Hamilton Conservation Authority’s commitment to preserving the land.

The ORC released its environmental study Tuesday on its plans to convert 32 hectares of provincial land to the immediate east of the protected karst to be open for housing development.

The report states that “subject to proper implementation of the mitigation recommendations … these lands can be developed without impacting the environmental integrity” of the karst.

“It doesn’t surprise me. They have been doggedly determined to move forward with disposal of this property,” Clark said in reaction to the findings.

The HCA already owns the karst, home to caves, sink holes, dry valleys and sinking streams, which is now the Eramosa Karst Conservation Area. Both city council and the HCA want the 37-hectare feeder area preserved, arguing its water flows are crucial to the karst. A community group, Friends of the Eramosa Karst, which aims to save the area from development, has also garnered much support.

The ORC report states development would not negatively affect the karst, as there are no karst features on the land. It also says potential stormwater run-off and surface drainage could be mitigated with a well-designed stormwater management plan and additional buffers.
The report also says any future sale of the land would include clauses noting protection measures and prohibiting uses of hazardous substances, fuel or gas storage.
The report also includes mitigation measures to be used during construction and for vegetation and aquatic life.

In a previous interview with the Stoney Creek News, HCA chair Chris Firth-Eagland said he had concerns about the effects of development, having seen the karst in action during a rainstorm.

"Those feeder streams and feeder areas that keep the karst alive are absolutely essential to its dynamic future," he said. "It can be a dead, stale piece of property or it can be dynamic and evolve throughout time as it has, and that's the beauty of it.”

There will be a 60-day period to give the public an opportunity to review and comment on the report. ORC spokesperson Julia Sakas points out that this is double the mandatory review period.

“We realize there is a high level of interest in this assessment, so we want to make sure everyone has a chance to give feedback,” she said.

The report is the culmination of hydrogeological, stormwater and natural heritage studies, peer reviews and two public information sessions, Sakas said.

Clark said the city stands by its position that the land should not be developed and city staff will develop a response to the ORC’s findings.

“I honestly don’t understand why they would say to sell the property for development when they know the city is a significant hurdle,” Clark said.

He says any developer wanting to build on the land would face the major opposition of the city and HCA. He is hopeful Queen’s Park will preserve the land.

“I don’t know what cabinet would move forward with developing the land. That would be unconscionable,” said Clark.
“I am still positive. The ORC had no choice but to proceed, but I think they have significant hurdles, with the HCA, the city and residents. The ORC seems to be alone in this.”

The ORC report is available for review at www.ontariorealty.ca.  Click on Class EAs/Consultations and then choose Stoney Creek Lands. The report is also at the Valley Park and Sherwood libraries.