Proposed: Commercial Light Industry and Storage Sites at Star Lake

To:  Dale Sobkowich, Head of Commercial Policy, Planning and Programming

CC:  Honorable Brian Pallister, Premier of Manitoba

CC:  Honorable Sarah Guillemard, Minister of Conservation and Climate

CC: Rob Nedotiafko, The Director of Parks

Sept. 15, 2020

RE:  Proposed Commercial Light Industry and Storage Sites at Star Lake

 I have been a cottage owner at Star Lake, Block 6, Lot 31 since 1998. Prior to that, my family and I camped in the area for about 10 years.  I know the area well and I very much enjoy the natural beauty of the area, including the area being proposed as a storage site for commercial light industry.

 After reading the letter from Manitoba Conservation and Climate, it remains unclear as to the exact types of materials that could be stored in the proposed site. I am therefore considering that gasoline and other flammable fuels may be permitted as well as various chemicals.

 I am opposed to the proposal of building the storage site at Star Lake.  My main concern is for my safety as well as that of my family and my fellow cottage owners.

 There is only one road in and out of our block at Star Lake.  If a storage site were built here, the risk of a fire that would cut off the only exit would be greatly increased due to the presence of increased numbers of people and vehicles and possibly stored flammable materials. A fire here could be a serious disaster that would threaten our very lives as well as the beautiful forest along with its fragile ecosystem of plants and animals.

 Over the past 22 years we have seen the removal of the Star Lake dump due to safety concerns.  We have also seen the end of the commercial use of the sand pits.  Also, logging trucks are no longer permitted here.  These changes have led to the regrowth of the natural flow and fauna.  It would appear to be both counter-productive and inconsistent planning to bulldoze that very land that only recently has been reclaimed.

 Furthermore, we all come to this beautiful area to get away from the noises and traffic of the city.  The storage site would be available from 7 a.m. on.  We would be subjected to the noise of vehicles and any number of noisy machines.  I do not want the disruption of the lifestyle that we seek here.  We want to hear birds, not noisy machines.

 In my opinion, the proposed storage site should be located very far away from cottage areas such that the safety and well being of cottage owners is not impinged upon.  We should not be subjected to increased traffic, increased noise and most importantly, increased danger of fire.

 Has the transfer station off of the Trans Canada Highway been considered as a storage site?

 I trust that Manitoba Conservation and Climate will not choose Star Lake for the commercial Light Industry and Storage Site for the reasons that I have explained in this letter.

 Yours Sincerely,

Arthur Blank, MD