Protesters blocked the entrances to three wind turbine construction sites near Chatham Thursday morning.

The protest group, Water Wells First, has for more than a year been fighting the development of a wind farm they say is causing problems for area residents who depend on wells for their drinking water. Tests at several farms have shown their well water has been harmed since construction began.

Three protesters – Brian Leclair, Dave Cameron and Scott Moir – said they intend to block the entrance to the Countryview Line construction site for the entire day.

Kevin Jakubec, spokesperson for Water Wells First, said the three sites will be blocked until Ontario’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Control (MOECC) “issues a halt order” to area wind developers Samsung and Pattern Development.

“Water Wells First demands all pile-driving activities be stopped immediately until the (ministry) identifies” the issues.

Jakubec noted that within the past few weeks, five Chatham Township families have reported “well interference complaints to the (province).”

He added that “out of anger and frustration” members of Water Wells First have “had to act independently to protect their families’ water supply and well-being and block construction crews from operating the pile-drivers.”

Sites under blockade Thursday are at 9998 Oldfield Line, 9917 Countryview Line, and 9525 Countryview Line.

Cameron said he isn’t against wind power, but he believes it is important to make sure it is not going to impact local groundwater.

“It’s our most precious resource,” he said. “Let’s just make sure we’re doing the right thing, because if we ever lose (this resource) you can’t get it back.”

With all the issues being seen with water wells surrounding this wind project, Cameron doesn’t want future generations to look back and question why today’s generation didn’t fight to protect it.

He also noted this is a Chatham-Kent issue, because if the groundwater source is destroyed, it will mean municipal water will have to be extended to the area, which could cost the whole municipality.

Former Chatham-Kent councillor Bill Weaver is concerned with the “black material” he has personally seen show up in the water wells of some neighbours on Countryview Line he has known for decades.

“Since it only happened immediately after the pile driving, I think there is a real connection between the pile driving and the nasty, black material in their wells,” Weaver said.

He believes the municipality’s public health department, the wind developer and the MOECC all have a role to play in addressing this issue.

“I also strongly believe, the big problem with this whole thing is that ‘stuff’ has to be analyzed to find out what it is,” Weaver said. “Is it dangerous?”

He added that analysis and observation needs to continue, since there is concern the operation of the wind turbines will also impact wells in the area.

“This cannot be at the expense of individual landowners,” he added. “They didn’t do anything.”

The Daily News did not receive a response to an e-mail sent to a communications representative for Pattern Energy regarding the protest.

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