2006 Annual Report

Message from Chair - Environmental Defence - The Proponent - The Application - The Case - Natural Environment - Transportation - Community - Hydrogeology - Financials - Public Activity Report - References - Volunteer Committee

Letter from Environmental Defence

Dear Graham and FORCE supporters,

Environmental Defence has been working with Friends of Rural Communities and the Environment (FORCE), one of its newest community partners, since April 2006. The proposed St. Marys Cement quarry in Flamborough presents clear challenges to Ontario's new Greenbelt and to drinking water sources in your communities. We are committed to working with you to protect both!

We are pleased to say that members of your communities remain equally as dedicated. As of December 31, 2006, FORCE supporters have donated $65,637 in support of the efforts to oppose the St. Marys quarry. In 2006, we remitted $55,403 in legal retainer and expert invoices. The balance is used to cover nominal administrative expenses and the remainder is carried over to 2007.

As you may also know, FORCE is a member of the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance. Environmental Defence is the host organization for the Alliance, which is a coalition of more than 75 organizations committed to ensuring that the goals set out in the Greenbelt Plan are met. As such, Environmental Defence is pleased to partner with FORCE to protect this important environmentally sensitive area within the Natural Heritage System of the Greenbelt. Take a look at www.environmentaldefence.ca for more information about the 2nd Anniversary Celebration of our Greenbelt as well as about our other campaigns and programs.

It has been our pleasure to work with the committed citizens at FORCE. We know that cases involving quarry applications can be long and arduous. We encourage you to keep up the good work and stay the course. Continue to be professional and substantive in the case, keep up your commitments and fundraising, and, perhaps most importantly, keep smiling and having fun at your community friend-raising events! We will be with you along the way.

Yours sincerely,

Rick Smith, Ph.D.
Executive Director