Aquifer - I prefer

As I see it now,we are moving along towards a "fait accomli".
Eco Echo land is still in the balance, I heard Pierrot's drumming tonight and saw the containment structure today around their modest yet proud fruit orchard. Maybe this is the quiet before the storm?

The expropriation axe is being wielded like a threat, maybe a punishment? - how dare you get in our way, I'll flatten you with my steam roller! Too American for me. Mr. Bully Bussiere has heavy baggage. At least we have Louis Rompré on our side right?

Selina always said it's important to choose your battles. As a "fuzzy" member of the Wakefield SOS steering committee, I have chosen to support the work of my neighbor and friend, Louis Molgat who is a water engineer, and has been competently and quietly conducting an objective and strategic baseline water use survey. This has been enhanced by the sharing of water quality testing that has recently been carried out by our Council. Thanks to Louis Rompré for this (we're still waiting for more historical data).

We have generated hard and credible data that will be expanded with more surveys planned, thanks to people like Phil Cohen, Neil Faulkner, maybe even Louis Rompré or Mr. Mayor himself? Bilingual volunteers are most welcome!

Louis and his son Sebastien, along with myself and others, have filled out detailed surveys for about 150 people who regularly or occasionally, use the Wakefield spring for their home or local cottage. We are doing a preliminary analysis of our results to date; and a final report will soon be compiled by Louis and myself that will highlight key information that is designed to complement and help focus the EIA screening work that is currently underway for this highway 5 spaghetti junction extension project.

I and many others I suspect, don't want to kill this extension project, I only hope to influence and maybe in due course, delay the overall construction process. A time out, a deep breath for letting the fog of indecision and unknowns to become clear. If there is a delay, it should be focused by a need to cover off certain key issues such as the potential impact to the Valle Verde Browns/Carmen lake aquifer, and the reduction or impact of water quality or quantity standards that our Spring currently supplies to the local and widespread community. Wildlife corridors are another important issue.

Rigorous and effective mitigation measures should be appropriately considered and put in place to ensure potential significant impacts to the aquifer and the spring amongst other environmental impacts, will be alleviated or minimized during and after the construction process. This is precisely what our survey is trying to inform and influence.

Cooperation is obviously the key. I just wish the good volunteer inspired people of Wakefield and SOS members, could see the merit of conducting an objective and credible survey of the people who actually use the spring on a not so casual basis. Kudos to SOS for their own generating of numbers, that carry serious weight and influence, and is a complement to the survey we are conducting. Strength in numbers carries weight. Whatever our collective goal is, there's no doubt our diversity in approach to influence the current planning process, will make a difference. Hopefully it's still possible to pro-actively influence the EIA screening process.

Bottom line, it may buy us some time, and whittle down "their" resolve to do it as they over-planned, but it's not too late to do it right for the directly affected residents and potential negative community impacts down stream, such as the spring. This for me, has always been a central pragmatic focus and symbol of what is important or valued by us, the people of Wakefield. We demand to be heard and to be part of the planning process that affects our daily lives.

Interesting facts emerging from our survey thus far:

- 43% of the Wakefield spring collect water on a weekly basis
- A majority of users rely on the spring for their daily drinking water needs year around
- 36% of water users fill up 11 to 20 litres per visit
- 38% of people collect water for two people
- The geographic distribution of water users is (at least in the summer) evenly distributed between locals and cottagers (many are from Masham or surrounding area)
- 26% of people surveyed have been equally using the for 1 to 5 years, and 11 to 20 years
- For our final question, we have a poetic plethora of descriptions on the importance and value of the Wakefield spring survey to users - I think even our village poet would be inspired.

I think the SOS petition will certainly add a lot to the intrinsic value that our spring represents. It's a lot like habitat that needs to be protected for this UN year for biodiversity. A trusted source for potable water is almost like a right to free air. It must be dedicated and protected. A surprising number of people interviewed for our survey, have been using the spring for over 50 years! The stories are akin to folklore on the tradition and trust that is bestowed to generations of people who rely and enjoy the legendary water quality of the Wakefield spring. It's almost like a fountain of youth and good health!

I would personally hate to see the symbol of our discomfort and hatred of the "our" next phase of the highway, be exploited in a way that breeds and feeds on public fear and creates uncomfortable political pressure on a resource that may soon be seen as a liability... Some of us remember our previous Mayor, "Typhoid Marie". We need to be focused and objective in our approach to affect positive change. We need to be patient and resolved. We also need to remember Churchill's wisdom:
"together we stand, divided we fall".

As I see it now.