Ernie Herrington Excavation, Trucking and Sanitation - Issuance of a licence to remove over 20,000 tonnes of aggregate annually from a pit or a quarry

Ernie Herrington Excavation, Trucking and Sanitation has applied for a Category 1 Class A Below Water licence to excavate aggregate from a pit of 9.26 hectares in size.  This application is for the establishment of a new pit that will be an expansion of an existing pit. The annual tonnage condition applied for is 150,000 tonnes.

Other information

Ernie Herrington Excavation, Trucking and Sanitation currently operates the adjacent site under the authority of licence # 2289 under the Aggregate Resources Act. In total 18.3 hectares are currently licenced as a below water pit. The annual tonnage condition is 150,000 tonnes.

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 Level 1 & 2
• Cultural Heritage Stage 1 & 2
• Hydrogeological Report Level 1 & 2

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 (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 meters of the site. If features are identified, then an impact assessment (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.

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

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.

Comments received through the Environmental Registry should not be construed as an objection under the Aggregate Resources Act in accordance with section 4.0 – Notification and Consultation Standards of the Provincial Standards 1.0 under the Aggregate Resources Act. To be considered as a formal objector, individuals need to contact the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry person specified on this notice to determine how to submit an objection.

Other public consultation opportunities

As specified in the Aggregate Resources Act, written notice concerning this application was delivered to landowners within 120 meters of the proposed licenced boundary; an information sign, giving notice to the public of this application, was erected at the proposed site; and a Notice of Application appeared in the local paper, the Parkhill Gazette on October 3, 2019. A public information session will be held on November 4, 2019 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the West Williams Hall, 32217 Kerwood Road, Parkhill, Ontario.

The application for this licence is being circulated within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Aylmer District office. Additionally, notification of this application has been forwarded to the Municipality of North Middlesex, the County of Middlesex, the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, and the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs for comment.