To whom it may concern, I am…

To whom it may concern,
I am writing to you to voice my concerns with the Mineral Exploration Permit application in Fowler Township (ERO 019-3249). I am a full-time resident of Fowler Township and our home is very close in proximity to the area for this current application. I have the following questions and concerns with this application:
• What is the Environmental Plan that the company is going to follow? What is the plan for the storage of hazardous materials that are required to use the drill (s)? Are the drillers properly trained in Spill Management?
• How many drills will be working at one time? What are the hours going to be for the operation of the drills? Are there going to be noise suppression instruments in place on the drills? This area is a highly populated summer recreation area, lot of people who come to the lake for peace and quiet, as well as those of us who live here full time. The location of this proposal is at a higher elevation compared to the lake and that is going to allow the sound carry even more.
• What is the plan for the water that is needed to run the drill(s)? Where is it going to be taken from?
• What is the plan for the drill fines? Are they going to be collected in a sump at each pad, or just left to run all over the area?
• I see in the supporting documents that the plan is to use the existing trails as much as possible rather than creating new ones. Is there going to be someone to oversee this? In my experience, the drillers have no connection to the area, so it does not matter to them if they make a new trail here and there.
• The area including and surrounding the application has long been used as a multi-use recreation area. The trails and old forestry roads are regularly used for snowmobiling, cycling, berry picking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, walking, dirt biking, riding ATVs, hunting, and enjoying nature in general. Permanent and seasonal residents use this area on a regular basis, there are also people who come from other areas recreate in the area. Are there going to be signs posted warning of exploration in the area for safety concerns?
• The area including and surrounding the application has been previously logged, and replanted. What a waste of money if this application is approved and these trees that have been planted will be removed for exploration. What is the plan for remediation in the area when this project is done?
• What is the communication method for residents in the area? So far, I would have to say that there has been a lack of a fair and reasonable community engagement. I happened to find this application on the ERO while looking for something else. Did anyone in the area receive notification that this application was being filed? The effects of this project (not just this proposal) could be long lasting and life changing for all full time and seasonal residents in the area.
• What is the long-term plan for this project, what is going to happen after the drilling is completed at these three claims? In the supporting documents, the project area is large and covers a lot of the lake and properties around it. Is there a plan for a winter on ice exploration to happen in the future?
Sincerely,
Erin Kahkonen
66 Wainio Drive, Fowler, ON P7G0W1
807.621.3254