Keyes Sand and Stone is…

Keyes Sand and Stone is family-owned and operated supplier of sand aggregates based in Joyceville (Kingston), Ontario. Our customer base is the Kingston area home-building industry. We are aware of the Proposal on the Environmental Registry of Ontario for the Provincial Policy Statement Review (ERO 019-0279).

We have discussed this with the planning consultants that provided services to us a few years ago when we applied for a licence under the Aggregate Resources Act for a new pit operation. The issuance of that licence provided a source of sand that replaced the depletion of material from other pits that we operate from and basically allowed us to stay in business. Keyes supports the proposed PPS changes as they relate to mineral aggregates. In particular, we support the following:

Section 2.5.2.2 which states how aggregate extraction may be considered in some natural heritage features where it does not result in negative impacts on the features or their functions. Keyes believes that rehabilitation of pits and quarries can result in a benefit to the natural environment, once the rehabilitation has become established and naturalized over time.

Section 2.5.2.3 relates to aggregate recycling facilities within aggregate operations. While recycling asphalt and concrete is not a part of our everyday business, Keyes strongly supports this policy as it reduces the demand for and conserves aggregate deposits for future use. We believe that recycling of aggregate products be allowed in pit and quarry operations without the need for any municipal approvals under the Planning Act (i.e. Official Plan or Zoning). Storing and recycling products such as asphalt and concrete occurs using the same equipment and processes that are in place to extract aggregate in the first place. Therefore, recycling can be fully addressed through the ARA site plan.

Section 2.5.2.4 which clearly states the depth of extraction in a pit or quarry is regulated through Aggregate Resources Act processes. Keyes is aware of a recent trend in some municipalities to zone pits and quarries in a way that limits their depth or requires a further re-zoning if the operation is to be deepened. We believe this damages the Provincial interest in aggregate resources and results in reduced availability.