CRH Canada Group Inc - Issuance of a licence to remove over 20,000 tonnes of aggregate annually from a pit or a quarry

Proposal updates

This notice was updated on February 13, 2023, 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.  

This notice was updated on March 8, 2021 to advise the public that this application under the Aggregate Resources Act has been referred by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal.  Please refer to http://elto.gov.on.ca/tribunals/lpat/e-status/ for information on scheduled hearings of the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal.

Cedarhurst Quarries and Crushing Limited has requested that this licence application be transferred to CRH Canada Group Inc.

This notice was initially posted on March 20, 2019 for 47 days, closing on May 6, 2019.

We are re-posting this notice for an additional 46-days (October 10, 2019 to November 25, 2019) to allow for any new comments. Previous comments submitted do not need to be sent again.

Description of instrument

CRH Canada Group Inc has applied for a Class A licence (Category 3 - Pit Above Water) to excavate aggregate from a pit of 15.3 hectares in size. It is proposed that all tonnage removed from the proposed licence and adjacent licence #3670 will be combined for total annual tonnage of 600,000.

Other information

Dufferin Aggregates, A Division of CRH Canada Group Inc., currently operates the adjacent Teedon Pit under the authority of licence #3670 under the Aggregate Resources Act. In total, 85.45 hectares are currently licenced as a pit. The annual tonnage condition is 600,000 tonnes.

If this application is approved, an amendment will be required to the tonnage condition authorized for Aggregate Resources Act licence #3670.

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 for Teedon Pit Extension
• Summary Statement (MHBC)
• Natural Environment Level 1 and 2 Technical Report (Goodban Ecological Consulting Inc.)
• Cultural Heritage Resources Report – Stage 1 and Stage 2 Archaeological Assessment (The Central Archaeology Group Inc.)
• Hydrogeological Assessment – Location of Water Table (GHD)
• Noise Assessment – Acoustic Assessment Report (Theakston Environmental)

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 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.

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 (preserved or collected).

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

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 papers, the Midland Mirror and Le Goût de Vivre on February 7, 2019. A public information session was held on March 5, 2019 from 4pm to 7pm at the Wyebridge Community Centre (8340 County Road 93 Tiny, ON L0K 2E1).

The application for this licence is being circulated within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Midhurst District office. Additionally, notification of this application has been forwarded to the Township of Tiny and the County of Simcoe for comment.