Thank You for the…

Thank You for the opportunity to comment on this very important issue related to Mineral Aggregate Operations under ERO 091-1303.
The Aggregate Resources Act, and the predecessor, the Pits and Quarries Control Act, have been in effect since 1970. The aggregate industry argues that regulations need to accommodate the aggregate producers. However, there has NEVER been a shortage of aggregate in Ontario, and has always been available in close proximity to the end user. In fact, there are several quarries that have transported aggregate by ship to the U.S.A. There is no published tabulation of the available licensed quarry stock and locations, and the current demand in the proximity to the quarries.
The regulation of pits and quarries continues to be amended to become more relaxed. If the present trend continues, it will soon become an entirely self-regulating industry.
Although I agree that the aggregate industry is an important component of the economy, so too is the protection of environmental, natural and social heritage of every Ontario community.
There are several areas of the new proposed regulations in which the OSSGA is seeking relief. The interpretation of their recommendations (more appropriately termed as their demands) is that all lands with Mineral Aggregate Resources should be open for extraction. They suggest that Natural Heritage Areas can be off-set, and that Environmental Areas, Woodlands, and Wetlands are replaceable. They further suggest that Species at Risk should be dealt with under other legislation, while at the same time suggesting less overlap of the regulations (i.e. reducing duplication and red tape).
There are some good elements in the current ERO proposed amendments. These include restrictions on the permitted uses within the top of the ground water table. However, the horizontal expansions into sensitive natural areas is unnecessary as there is an excess of less sensitive mineral aggregate resource lands.
Thank you for your consideration of these comments.