1300488 Ontario Limited - Issuance of a licence to remove over 20,000 tonnes of aggregate annually from a pit or a quarry

Proposal Update

This notice was updated on September 28, 2021 to advise the public that there has been no change to the status of the proposal and it is still being considered. No additional opportunity for comment is being provided for at this time.

Proposal details

1300488 Ontario Limited has applied for a Class A licence (Category 2 – Quarry Below Water) to excavate aggregate from a quarry of 150 hectares in size. The site is presently an operating Class B quarry under the authority of licence #607641 under the Aggregate Resources Act. The existing licence operates above the water table. The tonnage condition of the quarry currently permits a maximum of 20,000 tonnes to be extracted from the site annually. If approved, the proposed tonnage condition will be increased to a maximum annual tonnage limit of 100,000 tonnes with extraction permitted below the water table.

Other information

The extraction of aggregate from a pit or quarry on private land designated by regulation, in the Province of Ontario, requires the issuance of a licence.The Aggregate Resources of Ontario Provincial Standards Version 1 (Provincial Standards) sets out the application process and requirements.

For each new licence, the applicant must provide information (site plan, summary statement, technical reports) with respect to the existing features, operation and rehabilitation of the site to demonstrate that the proposed operation will minimize adverse impact on the environment. This information is prepared in accordance with the category being applied for under the Provincial Standards.

For this proposal, the following are available for viewing at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry office listed below:

• Site plan
• Summary Statement
• Natural Environment Report (Levels 1 and 2)
• Cultural Heritage Resources Report (Stages 1 and 2)
• Hydrogeological (Levels 1 and 2)
• Noise Assessment

The Site Plan addresses existing features of the pit and/or quarry area (existing natural features and land use on and surrounding the site within 120 meters); the proposed operation (e.g. shape, dimensions, area and depth to be excavated, method of extraction and progressive and final rehabilitation.

The Summary Statement includes information on one or more of the following considerations: land use planning, agricultural classification, quality and quantity of aggregate, haul routes, truck traffic and entrance permits, progressive and final rehabilitation, surface water, and elevation of the established groundwater table.

The Natural Environment report determines the presence of significant natural heritage features/areas and fish habitat and ensures that any necessary preventative, mitigative or remedial measures are undertaken for their protection. A Level 1 report identifies if the features are on-site or within 120 metres of the site. If features are identified, then an impact assessment (i.e. Natural Environment Level 2 report) is prepared to determine any negative impacts on the natural features or ecological functions, and any proposed preventative, mitigative or remedial measures.

A Hydrogeological Level 1 report is a preliminary evaluation to determine the final extraction depth relative to the established groundwater table(s) and the potential for adverse effects to groundwater and surface water resources and their uses. If the Level 1 report identifies a potential adverse effect resulting from the operation, then an impact assessment (Level 2 report) is required to determine the significance of the effect and the feasibility of mitigation.

The purpose of a Cultural Heritage Resources report is to ensure that significant archaeological resources are identified, assessed for their significance, and protected (i.e. preserved or collected).

A Noise Assessment report is prepared if extraction and/or processing facilities are within 150 meters (for pit applications) or 500 metres (for quarry operations) of a sensitive receptor defined by the Provincial Standards. The report is required to determine whether provincial guidelines can be satisfied.