Clearview Township pushes back against DND radar project on farmland

Clearview Township is pushing back against having a radar site on farmland.

Clearview Township council is pushing back against a federal plan that could see prime farmland used for a new $33 billion national defence radar site.

Mayor Doug Measures said council is opposed to converting agricultural land into a site for the Department of National Defence (DND) Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar program, proposed for a 288-hectare parcel of agricultural land on Sideroad 15/16.

The Township sent a letter to the minister of national defence urging the federal government to find another location.

“I would hope the minister will reach out to us and perhaps have conversations with us, or simply look or direct his staff to find another alternative site, rather than using prime agricultural land for a national defense facility,” Measures said.

• Related | Clearview Township chosen as transmit and receive site for the Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar project

DND identified two properties in southern Ontario for Stage 1 of the project, one in Kawartha Lakes and the other in Clearview near the Minesing Wetlands. It says the project is part of Canada’s long-term plan to modernize NORAD and strengthen northern surveillance. But local business owners say the Clearview site sits on some of the best farmland in Ontario.

“And a significant portion of our grain comes out of that area,” said John Taylor, who runs a local grain-handling business.

Scott Caughill of Holmes Agro echoed the concerns, saying that pocket of land is among the highest quality farmland his company works with in Central Ontario.

“The impact for us is obviously production,” Caughill said.

In a statement to CTV News, DND said it is continuing to gather feedback and has extended the public engagement period to Oct. 15.