St. Marys Cement Inc. (Canada) (CBM Aggregates) - Changes to the site plan for a pit or quarry

Application has been made by St. Marys Cement Inc. (Canada) (CBM Aggregates) to amend the current site plan to allow an established pit to extract below the water table. This proposal will result in the creation of a 17.0 hectare pond following extraction and rehabilitation.

Other information

St. Marys Cement Inc. (Canada) (CBM Aggregates) operates this site under the authority of ARA licence No. 2347.

For this application the following information has been prepared and submitted to the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (Ministry):

• Updated Site Plan
• Water Resources Assessment Report
• Noise Assessment Report (Noise Impact Analysis)
• Natural Environment Report
• Planning and Land Use Considerations

The updated site plan describes and incorporates any changes to the extraction phasing, operations or rehabilitation that would result from the proposed amendment. Any mitigation and/or monitoring measures that must be undertaken, as identified in the technical reports are also described on the site plan.

A report must be prepared that details how the maximum predicted water table is identified in metres above sea level, relative to the proposed depth of excavation at the site.

Applications proposing to excavate below the maximum predicted water table must complete a Water Report. Level 1 determines the potential for impacts to ground water and surface water resources and their uses. If the Level 1 identifies a potential for impacts resulting from the operation, then an impact assessment (Level 2) is required to determine the significance of the effect and potential for mitigation.

A Noise Assessment report is prepared if proposed excavation and/or processing facilities are within 150 meters (for pit applications) or 500 meters (for quarry applications) of a sensitive receptor. The report is required to determine whether provincial guidelines for Stationary and Transportation Sources can be satisfied.

The Natural Environment Report identifies the presence of significant natural heritage features/areas that exist on the site or within 120 meters of the site. Where any of the features or areas have been identified, the report must identify and evaluate any negative impacts on the features or areas and ecological functions, and identify any proposed preventative, mitigative or remedial measures. The report must also identify if the application site or any of the features are located within a natural heritage system that has been identified by a municipality in ecoregions 6E and 7E or by the province as part of a provincial plan.

A Planning and Land Use Considerations statement must be prepared which details any applicable planning and land use considerations that are relevant on or adjacent to where the proposed site will be located, such as provincial or Crown land plans/policies and municipal planning documents.

Public consultation opportunities

Written notice concerning this application was delivered to landowners within 120 meters of the proposed licensed boundary an information sign, giving notice to the public of this application, was erected at the proposed site; and a Public Notice of Application appeared in the local paper, the Dorchester Signpost.

The proposal request for this licence is being circulated within the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry. Additionally, notification of this application has been forwarded to the Municipality of Thames Centre, Middlesex County, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.