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Ç Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, March 8, 2000 ~ 7 ) (continued ) ronmentally concerned organizations organizations have been conducting a letter-writing campaign to request that a Full Federal Environmental Assessment, with public involvement and review panel be held before an)/ further extension of the 407 is permitted. Robb then led a field trip to the banks of the Rouge River. On the way we passed by a subdivision of expensive homes (up to $800,000) that have been built in the last five years and now find that their' front windows will be looking right at a 10-lane superhigh- - way. The route' of the 407 will cut between these homes and another subdivision of more- moderately priced residences on the north side. "Why?" asks Robb, "did the Town of Markham allow these houses to be built at a time when they were completely aware that the 407 would be coming through?" They were built at a time when the 407 was still three miles away, and it is unlikely that buyers were aware of what was in store. Noise levels will increase from around 45 decibels to at least 65 dB, a level that makes quiet enjoyment of your backyard backyard impossible. Airborne allergens from road dust will cause serious problems for asthma sufferers, and road salt is now thought to be a carcinogen. carcinogen. What an inheritance to pass on to your children! These factors have caused Health Canada 'to request noise mitigation measures 50 to 120% higher than national guidelines, to alleviate some of the stress. An estimated 25% drop in property values could also mean some families families would be left with no equity in their homes, a tricky situation when mortgage renewal time comes. From our vantage point, Robb pointed out that the existing 407 gets very little use at this point. As he spoke, only 3 cars were standing at the light at the exit of the ETR. We then walked to the edge of the Rouge Valley that at this point drops almost vertical vertical -200 feet to the riverbed. Mature trees hold this steep hillside together. It is proposed proposed to clear cut a 100-metre ■ swath through this peaceful wildlife refuge to build a bridge across the valley, -, which I guesstimate to mean a span of about a mile. Once the .. trees are gone, there, will be ■nothing to stop erosion of the valley sides. The whole .hill- ■ side could end up in the Rouge River; an ecological tragedy. Facts came to light during this information session that perhaps explain why the Harris government is in such a rush to extend the 407. Bill Woods and I drove back to Clarington along the Steeles Avenue extension that becomes Taunton Road. This was widened to four lanes when a bridge was built over the Rouge about seven years ago, and there are four very sparsely used lanes all the way to Oshawa. Why do we need 407? Robb also has figures that show estimated usage of 407 has dropped considerably from what was once estimated. estimated. The old spectre of the Pickering Airport has to be the underlying reason for pressure to continue this massively destructive highway. Continuing 407 makes little sense unless there are plans to build the Airport. Then there's the question of the publicly owned,agricultural lands adjacent adjacent to the Rouge Valley Park. Bob Rae's government protected. protected. these agricultural lands as part of the "Green Door" to Toronto. Now the Harris government government is starting to sell this land to developers. A look at a 1997 map of proposed proposed routes for 407 through productive Clarington farmland farmland shows an alarming number number of interchanges along the route. These are certainly not for the benefit of local farmers, farmers, so who needs all these access points? Developers, that's who, . If you are concerned about the lack of environmental controls and proposed paving of prime farmland, you can write to the Hon. Herb Dhaliwal, MP, Minister of Fisheries & Oceans, Ottawa, ON Kl A 0A6, and the Hon David Anderson, MP, Minister of Environment, at the same address, and ask for a full Federal Environmental Assessment, with public participation participation and review panel. No postage is required, but do it now. A - Screening Report issued on February 9th that sidesteps and whitewashes a lot of the issues, has only allowed until March 10th for response from the public. Clarington Fire Calls The Clarington Fire Department responded to the following calls during the period of February 28 to March 6, 2000: 2 property fires; 3 pre-fire conditions; 4 false fife calls; 7 public hazard hazard calls; 3 rescues; 10 med- ical/resuscitator calls and 3 other responses. FRED'S AUTOBODY LTD. Estimates •Repairs • Restorations 163 Baseline Road, Unit 1 Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3L4 Fred Devries Proprietor Tel: (905) 623-6353 Fax: (905) 623-3913 ■NEWCASTLE FUNERAL HOME Family owned and operated by Carl Good and Joyce Kufta 336 Mill St. S., Newcastle 987-3964 "Caring for our Community 11 Municipality of Clarington PUBLIC NOTICE WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS March 1 to April 30, 2000 Weight Restriction Regulations will be in force on all roads under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Clarington from Miarch 1, to April 30, 2000. Vehicle loads are restricted to FIVE (5) TONNES PER AXLE, in accordance with the provisions of the Highway Traffic Act R.S.O. 1990, cH8, sl22 Stephen A, Yokes, P. Eng. Director of Public Works Municipality of Clarington 40 Temperance Street Bowmanville, ON L'IC 3A6 Gi MUNICIPALITY OF arinegton ONTARIO Publication Dates - March 1 & 8, 2000 P,Q. # 7030 Meeting Your Needs •"More for health, education and children • Tax cuts • Continuing to build a more innovative economy • To find out how this budget will benefit you and your family, call 1 800 O-CANADA (1 800 622-6232) TTY: 1 800 465-7735 Monday to Friday 8 a.rn. to 10p.m. EST: Weekends 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. • or visit our Web site at www.fin.gc.ca Canada