K. R. Axford Sand & Gravel Limited - Changes to the site plan for a pit or quarry

Updates

This notice was originally published on March 4, 2020 for a 30-day comment period ending April 3, 2020. The notice was republished on April 3, 2020 to extend the deadline to submit comments by May 4, 2020.

Description of instrument

Application has been made by K. R. Axford Sand & Gravel Limited to amend the current site plan to change the location where some below water extraction can take place on the licensed site. The proposal seeks to reduce the excavation setback along the west side of the licensed site from approximately 100 metres to 15 metres and is located within 50 metres of a woodland.

Currently, 14.6 hectares of below water extraction is approved in the central and the east portion of the licensed site. The proposal would abandon below water extraction on the east side of the site and instead extract aggregate below the water in the west side of the licensed site, where a woodland was previously located. As part of the proposal, a 15 metre setback along the west boundary would remain as a treed buffer. A tree planting plan is proposed to be included as a condition of the rehabilitation plan for the licensed site. The final end use of the site will include a 14.6 hectare pond.

In support of the proposal, the licensee has provided a Hydrogeological report assessing the impacts of shifting the area of below water extraction. The size of the pond created on the licensed site as a result of excavation is not proposed to change.

It is noted that the licensee has recently obtained approval for tree cutting in the west side of the licensed site, pursuant to the County of Elgin tree cutting by-law.

Other information

K. R. Axford Sand & Gravel Limited is authorized to operate below the water table at this licensed site under the authority of Licence #2335 under the Aggregate Resources Act. In total 41.8 hectares are currently licenced as a pit. The annual tonnage condition is 250,000 tonnes.

Public consultation opportunities

The proposal request for this licence has been circulated within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Aylmer District office. Additionally, notification of this application has been forwarded to the Municipality of Central Elgin, the County of Elgin, Ontario Ministry of Food and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks and an adjacent landowner that previously had an interest in the site.