Martin Erdman - Issuance of a licence to remove over 20,000 tonnes of aggregate annually from a pit or a quarry

Updates

This notice was updated on December 6, 2018 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 for a hearing. Please refer to http://elto.gov.on.ca/tribunals/lpat/e-status/ for further information on the status of the matter at the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal.

Description of instrument

Martin Erdman has applied for a Class “A” licence (Pit above Water) to excavate aggregate from a new pit of 35.45 hectares in size. The annual tonnage condition applied for is unlimited.

Other information

Site plan information is available to view at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Thunder Bay District office. Making an appointment to view the information is recommended to ensure aggregate staff will be available to provide information and answer questions.

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 (i.e. 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
• Summary Statement
• Natural Environment Level 1
• Cultural Heritage Stage 1

The Site Plan addresses existing features of the pit and/or quarry area (e.g. existing natural features and land use on and surrounding the site within 120m); the proposed operation (e.g. 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 metres of the site. If features are identified, then an impact assessment (i.e. 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.

The purpose of a Cultural Heritage Resources report is to ensure that significant archaeological resources are identified, assessed for their significance, and protected (i.e. preserved or collected).

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 paper, the Chronicle Journal on March 19, 2018. A public information session was held on April 9, 2018 from 2 pm to 6 pm at the Conmee Community Centre, Conmee, Ontario.

The application for this licence is being circulated within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Thunder Bay District office. Additionally, notification of this application has been forwarded to the Township of Conmee and the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority, the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, other ministries, for comment.