Review of aggregate levy and…

Review of aggregate levy and royalty: Trent Lakes is requesting that the Minister includes Trent Lakes in the forthcoming discussions related to fees to offset the cost of infrastructure as a result of the impact of aggregate operations and that those discussions include levies and royalties. And that the Minister schedules a full review of the fees and royalties to ensure the added costs to municipalities is fully covered and the importance of the fees and royalties are paid to municipalities. Royalties currently received by the municipality are insufficient to fund the improvement to municipal roads, bridges and infrastructure. There is a discrepancy between the real costs to the local municipality and the royalties currently paid by the industry.

Increase the roles of municipalities in the application review process: The proposed changes to Aggregate Resources Act propose to remove municipal involvement in aggregate applications. Trent Lakes is requesting that the Minister review the application process for new pits and quarries to ensure the municipalities increase their involvement in the application process and allow the host municipality a greater coordinating role with the Province. We further request that the local municipality be notified earlier in the application process of a proposed or pending quarry on crown land in order that we are at least aware of the applications. Half of the existing quarries are located on private lands and the other half are located on crown lands.