“The karst needs water flow. After heavy rains or a melt, there is a flushing of the system. A storm water management pond allows a trickle. It doesn’t allow the natural water flow. The water system would change.”

Giulietti and other members of Friends of the Eramosa Karst are adamant the 32 hectares to the immediate east of the karst need to be protected, despite an Ontario Realty Corporation report released last week.

As reported in the Stoney Creek News, the study results state that “subject to proper implementation of the mitigation recommendations … these lands can be developed without impacting the environmental integrity” of the karst.

Among its findings, was that potential stormwater run-off and surface drainage could be mitigated with a well-designed stormwater management plan and additional buffers.

The Hamilton Conservation Authority already owns the Eramosa Karst Conservation Area, home to caves, sink holes, dry valleys and sinking streams.

If the ORC sells the land, it would be open for housing development, but Hamilton city council and the HCA want the feeder area preserved, as does community group FOTEK, arguing its water flows are crucial to the karst.

“From the beginning, this was more of a justification than a study,” said Giulietti. “They want to sell it, but they can only sell it if something can be done with it.”

Giulietti stresses that the provincial government can still “do the right thing.”

The former Minister of Natural Resources Donna Cansfield visited the karst and was supportive of protecting it and the minister of the environment and minister of energy and infrastructure were also well versed with the issue.

Giulietti hopes with the recent provincial government cabinet shuffle, the new ministers will be on board to help protect the land.

“This is the province’s opportunity to protect an integral piece of land. They can still do the right thing. This could be such a progressive move on their part.”

Hamilton Mountain MPP Sophia Aggelonitis, who was named minister of consumer services in the recent shuffle, has also visited the karst.

“This is a very important piece of property, which I have a lot of respect for and I am a big fan and huge supporter of Friends of the Eramosa Karst.”

Aggelonitis said she spoke to Toronto MPP Brad Duguid, the new minister of energy and infrastructure about the issue.

“No decision has been made on the future of the property and no decision will be made until the environmental assessment process is complete,” she said.

Aggelonitis said she would brief the new ministers as soon as possible on the matter, but would not comment on what the province might do if the ORC recommendation stands after the EA process is complete.

The process includes a 60-day period to give the public, HCA and the city an opportunity to review and comment on the report. ORC spokesperson Julia Sakas points out that this is double the mandatory review period.

”We want to make sure any decisions are informed and that we consider everyone’s point of view,” she said.

“We want to get this right. We are not saying we want to push this through quickly.”

The ORC report states development would not negatively affect the karst, as there are no karst features on the land.

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 and recommends mitigation measures be used during construction and for vegetation and aquatic life.

Kathy Menyes, director, watershed planning and engineering for the HCA, said she could not comment on the technical issues in the report, as staff are taking their time to review the findings.

“Our board’s resolution stands though. We want to keep the karst in its current state and preserve it,” she said.

Last week, area councillor Brad Clark said the report does not change the city’s intention to preserve the land either. City staff will develop a response to the findings.

Clark said any developer wanting to build on the land would face major opposition from the city and HCA.

Calls to the Hamilton Halton Homebuilder’s Association were not returned by News deadline.

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.