Cornwall Gravel Company Limited - Issuance of a licence to remove over 20,000 tonnes of aggregate annually from a pit or a quarry

Proposal updates

This notice was updated on March 31, 2020, to advise the public that there has been no change to the status of the proposal and it is still being considered. No additional opportunity for comment is being provided for at this time.

Description of instrument

Cornwall Gravel Company Limited has applied for a Class “A” licence (Category 1 and 2 Pit and Quarry Below Water) to excavate aggregate from a pit and quarry of 40.5 hectares in size. This application is for the establishment of a new pit and quarry. The annual tonnage condition applied for is 3,400,000 tonnes.

Other information

Cornwall Gravel Company Limited currently operates three (3) adjoining sites under the authority of licence # 625750, 5942 and 5769 under the Aggregate Resources Act (ARA). The annual tonnage condition for each of these licences is 2,000,000 tonnes and the total area currently licensed is 189.54 hectares.

Another new application has been submitted by Cornwall Gravel Company Limited (ER # 013-2445) for a site located west of ARA licence # 5769. That application is also for a Class “A” licence (Category 1 and Category 2, Pit and Quarry Below Water) to excavate aggregate from a pit and quarry 37.8 hectares in size. The annual tonnage condition applied for is 3,400,000 tonnes.

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 MNRF office listed below:

• Site Plan
• Summary Statement
• Natural Environment (Level 1 and 2)
• Cultural Heritage (Stage 1)
• Hydrogeological (Level 1 and 2)
• Noise Assessment
• Blast Design

The Site Plan addresses existing features of the pit and quarry area (e.g. existing natural features and land use on and surrounding the site within 120 metres); 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.

A Hydrogeological level 1 report is a preliminary evaluation to determine the final extraction depth relative to the established groundwater table(s) and the potential for adverse effects to groundwater and surface water resources and their uses. If the level 1 report identifies a potential adverse effect resulting from the operation, then an impact assessment (level 2 report) is required to determine the significance of the effect and the feasibility of mitigation.

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).

A Noise Assessment report is prepared if extraction and/or processing facilities are within 150 metres (for pit applications) or 500 metres (for quarry applications) of a sensitive receptor defined by the Provincial Standards. The report is required to determine whether provincial guidelines can be satisfied.

A Blast Design report is prepared if a sensitive receptor, defined by the Provincial Standards, is based within 500 metres of the limit of extraction for a quarry application. The report is required to determine whether provincial guidelines can be satisfied.

Comments received through EBR should not be construed as an objection under the Aggregate Resources Act in accordance with section 4.0 – Notification and Consultation Standards of the Provincial Standards 1.0 under the ARA. To be considered as a formal objector, individuals need to contact the MNRF person specified on this notice to determine how to submit an objection.

Other public consultation opportunities 

As specified in the Aggregate Resources Act, written notice concerning this application was delivered to landowners within 120 metres 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 Standard Freeholder on January 26, 2018. A public information session was held on March 1st, 2018 between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Stormont Fire Station No. 4, 5205 Highway 138, St. Andrews, Ontario.

The application for this licence is being circulated within the MNRF Kemptville District office. Additionally, notification of this application has been forwarded to the Township of South Stormont, the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, Raisin Region Conservation Authority, the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Making an appointment to view the information is recommended to ensure MNRF staff will be available to provide information and answer questions.

Additionally, information related to this proposal is available from the following municipal office(s):
Township of South Stormont
2 Mille Roche Road
Long Sault, Ontario
K0C 1P0

United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry
26 Pitt Street
Cornwall, Ontario
K6J 3P2