Contact:
directors@friendsoferamosakarst.org
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DEC
5 2007
THE CASE FOR PROTECTING
THE CREEKS FLOWING INTO THE
ERAMOSA KARST CONSERVATION
AREA
 Several
thousand years ago, a drop of water made its way through the soil down
to the first layer of dolostone and combined with carbon dioxide it
began to dissolve the rock on which it landed. Thus began the
formation of the Eramosa Karst. Over thousands of years the slow
process of dissolution of the rock by water and carbon dioxide resulted
in both subtle and stark karst formations, which are now a part of the
Eramosa Karst Conservation Area.
The karst lands are still a work in progress. Nature is not finished
its sculpting of the stone and the landscape nor is it finished its
role of providing shelter and food for numerous animal species.
In order to continue on its course the creeks flowing into the karst
lands need to be naturalized, to continue providing the flow of water
necessary to maintain the function of the karst features. This
natural work of art is at risk of being irreparably damaged as a result
of proposed development of the lands containing the “feeder creeks”.
The Province, which so insightfully handed over the lands containing
the obvious karst features to the Hamilton Conservation Authority in
2006, still owns the lands with the feeder creeks. The Ontario
Realty Corporation, the branch of government which deals with lands
owned by the Province, claims that development of these lands will not
negatively affect the ANSI (Area of Natural and Scientific Interest)
which now forms part of the Conservation Area. This position is
disputed by the very scientist who wrote the original report which resulted
in the land transfer to the Conservation Authority in the first place.
It is also disputed by other hydrogeologists and scientists.
Common sense also disputes this position. Why preserve an area
as “natural” and then condemn the very source of its formation
to development?
Development was already completed in part of this area prior to the
“discovery” of the karst. The result of that was the
partial collapse of one cave due to blasting and the filling in of other
karst features with concrete and fill. What excuse is there now
to proceed with development in such a sensitive area? To allow
continued development of the adjacent lands only threatens to collapse
the caves and rechannel the underground streams and water flow.
These effects cannot be mitigated with certainty and the results may
not be obvious until water suddenly appears somewhere where it may not
have been expected and almost certainly where it will not be welcome.
We live in a time where the public’s awareness and concern about
the environment is based on more and more scientific evidence of the
need to tread more softly on the earth. We have an opportunity
before us the save the integrity of the karst system, which will in
turn provide a range of habitat for wildlife and native plant life as
well as fabulous teaching and learning opportunities for scientists,
students and citizens in our community. The naturalization of
the feeder areas will add much needed green space to improve air quality
in our car-dependent suburb. The beauty of the expanded Conservation
Area in a sea of suburban development will be valued for generations
of people and the creatures who will inhabit it. A refuge both
literally and figuratively for all creatures, great and small.
The Friends of the Eramosa Karst is a group of citizens who’s
goal is to have these feeder creeks included in the Conservation Area.
Having rallied support from numerous citizens, the group has launched
a website to offer information and encouragement to citizens, organizations
and politicians to get on board and help achieve this goal. Those
interested in knowing more about this area and getting involved should
visit http://www.friendsoferamosakarst.org
Rita Giulietti
Communications Coordinator
FOTEK
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