1. Protection of Water…

1. Protection of Water Resources

Strengthen protection of water resources by creating a more robust application process for existing operators that want to expand to extract aggregate within the water table, allowing for increased public engagement on applications that may impact water resources. This would allow municipalities and others to officially object to an application and provide the opportunity to have their concerns heard by the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal.

As rural communities are more directly dependent upon the quality of both surface and ground water. we should not support any legislation that enables extraction below the water table. Close to market is ideal, but should not be at the expense of water quality.

2. Managing depth of extraction of pits and quarries

We should not support the ARA being the authority over the municipality particularly when local water quality is at stake. No pits or quarries on prime farmland as it is finite. No extraction below the water table as that both disrupts the aquifer and contaminates otherwise pristine water.

3. Aggregate Haul Routes

Clarify how haul routes are considered under the Aggregate Resources Act so that the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal and the Minister, when making a decision about issuing or refusing a licence, cannot impose conditions requiring agreements between municipalities and aggregate producers regarding aggregate haulage. This change is proposed to apply to all applications in progress where a decision by the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal or the Minister has not yet been made. Municipalities and aggregate producers may continue to enter into agreements on a voluntary basis.

4. Self-filling of routine Site Plan Amendments

I am concerned about the transparency of the proposed policy to permit self-filling of routine site plan application and determining what is considered a routine amendment. All site plan amendments should be circulated to the municipality for input.

5. Allowing Low risk operations without permit

Additional detail is required for anyone to comment on this proposed change, based on what is considered as a “low-risk activity”.

6. Aggregate Fees

I would support an increase in the fees paid by aggregate producers to compensate municipalities for cost incurred in the maintenance of roads, bridges and infrastructure because of heavy trucks.