Coco Properties Corporation - Environmental Compliance Approval (sewage)

The reviewer reviewed and considered all received comments regarding this amendment application. The received comments were grouped into related subjects/concerns/issues. Responses to the subjects/concerns/issues are listed below.

1. Potential contamination and adverse impacts on drinking wells, quality of groundwater and drinking water supplies

   Response

   The compliance history of the site provided by the consultant and review of comments of the 2019 Annual Performance Report do not indicate any potential contamination and adverse impacts on drinking wells, quality of groundwater and drinking water supplies.

   The amended ECA includes the effluent quality and groundwater quality monitoring programs to require the owner to demonstrate on a continual basis that the quality of the effluent from the approved works is consistent with the Effluent Limits specified in the amended ECA and that the approved works do not cause any impairment to the receiving watercourses and groundwater.

2. Need for a hydrological impact assessment

   Response

   Since this amendment application is only for the relocation of the existing discharge location, a new hydrological study is not necessary.

3. Potential flooding of adjacent neighbouring properties

   Response

   According to the design report, a water route (e.g. minor ditching or berming) may be required at the top of the slope to keep the water on Coco property, while avoiding archaeological features. The water route, if required, will not be within 30 m of the tributary of Collins Creek.

   In order to prevent flooding of neighbouring properties the following conditions were included in the amended ECA:

   • "During the period of discharge, the Owner shall undertake weekly visual inspections of the overland discharge area from the discharge point (the outlet pipe of the pump discharging from the existing sump area located at the south-west corner of the South Excavation Area (South Quarry) to the extent of all visible overland sheet flow to ensure that the discharge water does not flow onto other properties, cause erosion or channelize. The results of the visual inspections shall be recorded in a log book to be made available for review by the Ministry upon request. The log shall include the name of the inspector, date of inspection and the results of the inspections."; and
   • "The Owner shall ensure that if the discharge water should flow onto other properties, cause erosion or channelize, the discharge shall cease immediately until the flow path is field verified, drainage water is redirected away from the affected property, and appropriate sediment control measures and implemented. Any such incidents shall be reported to the District Manager."



4. Potential flooding of downstream lands

   Response

   In order to prevent any potential flooding in the receiving watercourses, the amended ECA includes the following condition:

   "The Owner shall immediately cease any pumping activities upon receipt of a written request from the City of Kingston to cease any pumping activities due to actual or potential flooding in the receiving watercourses. Furthermore, the Owner shall ensure that any pumping activities are only resumed upon a mutual agreement with the City of Kingston that the effluent from the Works will not cause flooding or erosion on the receiving watercourses."

5. Potential asphalt and concrete contamination

   Response

   The compliance history of the site provided by the consultant and review of comments of the 2019 Annual Performance Report do not indicate any potential contamination associated with asphalt or concrete stockpiles located within the site.

   Furthermore, the following condition was included in the ECA: "The Owner shall ensure that recyclable asphalt is not stored within 30 metres of a body of water or within two metres of the groundwater table, which shall include but not be limited to the sumps located on the quarry floor and any on-site drainage ditches."

6. Spill contingency

   Response

   The amended ECA includes a condition requesting the owner to prepare "a contingency plans and procedures for dealing with potential spill, bypasses and any other abnormal situations and for notifying the District Manager. The contingency plan shall be prepared by a Professional Engineer to the satisfaction of the District Manager, and shall cover the entire operational life of the sewage Work."

   Furthermore, the following condition was included in the amended ECA in the event of a spill or other contaminant release which could cause any detrimental effects on the quality of water (including precipitation, runoff, snowmelt, groundwater and aggregate wash water):

   "The Owner shall ensure that in the event of a spill or other contaminant release which could cause any detrimental effects on the quality of water (including precipitation, runoff, snowmelt, groundwater and aggregate wash water) discharging from the site, any pumping activities are immediately ceased. Furthermore, the Owner shall ensure that any pumping activities are resumed only after an investigation of the incident is undertaken, remedial and preventive measures are taken (if necessary) and the effluent discharged from the site is deemed not to cause any impairment to the receiving watercourses."

7. Monitoring concerns

   Response

   The sampling frequency of the effluent quality monitoring program included in the amended ECA is deemed to be sufficient.

8. Effluent criteria assessment

   Response

   The Effluent Limits has been included in the ECA.

9. Dewatering due to proposed expansion of the Elginburg Quarry

   Response

   All the received concerns/issues related to a future expansion of the Elginburg Quarry are beyond the scope of the amendment application. The amendment application is only for relocation of the exiting discharge location to a new discharge location located at the south-west corner of the South Excavation Area (South Quarry) and an existing conveyance drainage ditch/settling basin located along the eastern side of the South Excavation Area (South Quarry) and the central portion of the South Excavation Area (South Quarry) discharging by gravity or pumping to the existing sump area located at the south-west corner of the South Excavation Area (South Quarry).

   According to the consultant report, all comments related to the future expansion of the Elginburg Quarry will be addressed directly to the community through the Community Liaison Committee.

10. Self-reporting concerns

    Response

    All the received concerns/issues related to the self-reporting are beyond the scope of the amendment application. This is the Ministry's standard operating practice.

11. Incomplete statement of the Municipality

    Response

    The statement of the Municipality in an ECA application form for approval of industrial sewage works does not need to be completed. This is the Ministry's standard operating practice.

12. Additional Comments/Concerns: Comments related to the current licensed depth, noise issues, ground vibration, air pollution, traffic, property value, phasing, permitting a rezoning application, rezoning of the existing quarry, hours, governing bodies accountability, reasonable expectation of a conclusion date, adjacent lands severability, internal site control (site layout, internal road), volume of extraction, pre-blast survey, the current quarry has been depleted of useful aggregate, operating hours.
     

    Response

    All the received additional concerns/issues are beyond the scope of the amendment application.