Johnston Bros. (Bothwell) Limited - Changes to the site plan for a pit or quarry

Proposal updates

This notice was updated on March 8, 2022 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 information

Application has been made by Johnston Bros. (Bothwell) Limited to amend the current site plan to allow for an increase in the area in which they can extract below the water table. The site has a current total extraction area of 35 hectares, in which 10.8 hectares are currently approved for below water extraction. The proposal is to increase the below water extraction area to 31.8 hectares.

Other information

Johnston Bros. (Bothwell) Limited currently operates this site under the authority of licence 4775 under the Aggregate Resource Act. The site is currently permitted for extraction below the water table. The annual tonnage limit is 300,000 tonnes. The site is adjacent to the eastern and southern boundaries of Aggregate Resources Act licence 604242, also owned and operated by Johnston Bros. (Bothwell) Limited.

For this proposal, the following are available for viewing at our Ministry’s Guelph District Office:

• Site plan
• Hydrogeological Level 1 & 2

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

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.

Other public consultation opportunities

The application is being circulated within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Guelph District office. Additionally, notification of this application has been forwarded to the Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh, the County of Huron, the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for comment.