Bell Sand Farms Inc. - 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 27, 2024 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.

Proposal Details

Bell Sand Farms Inc. has applied for a Class A licence, Pit Below Water,  to excavate aggregate from a pit of 42.4 hectares in size with an extraction area of 33.0 hectares.

This application is for an expansion to the existing ARA Licence No. 4575 (Grose Pit). It is proposed that all tonnage removed from the proposed licence and adjacent ARA Licence No. 4575 will be combined for total annual tonnage of 200,000 tonnes.

Other information

Bell Sand Farms Inc. currently operates an adjacent site under the authority of Licence No. 4575 under the ARA. In total, 53 hectares are currently licenced as a pit. The annual tonnage condition is 200,000 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. Ontario Regulation 244/97 and the Aggregate Resources of Ontario Standards set out the application process and requirements.

For each new licence, the applicant must provide information (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.  

For this proposal, the following information has been prepared and submitted to the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (NDMNRF):

• Site plan
• Summary Statement
• Natural Environment Level 1 and 2
• Cultural Heritage Report (Archeological Assessment Stage 1 and 2)
• Hydrogeological Level 1 and 2 (Water Report)
• Noise Assessment Report

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

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.

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

The Ministry reviews all comments received through the Environmental Registry and the notification and consultation process under the ARA, and considers them before making a decision.  Comments received through the Environmental Registry are considered by the Ministry however, the process under the ARA is proponent driven. This means that comments for consideration by the applicant under the ARA process must be submitted to the applicant and the Ministry during the 60-day consultation period initiated by the applicant.

Details of the application process can be found in Ontario Regulation 244/97 under the ARA and on the Ministry website.  Many regulatory changes for new applications took effect on April 1, 2021.  This means that applications submitted after March 31, 2021 must meet the new requirements in Ontario Regulation 244/97 and Aggregate Resources of Ontario Standards. 

Public consultation opportunities

Written notice concerning this application was delivered to landowners within 120 meters of the proposed licensed boundary; an information sign, giving notice to the public of this application, was erected at the proposed site; and a Public Notice of Application appeared in the local paper, the Stratford Beacon Herald on August 26, 2021.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, documents are available for review by contacting Caitlin Port by email at cport@mhbcplan.com or by phone at 519-576-3650. In place of a Public Information Session, Bell Sand Farms Inc. will be available from September 27, 2021 to October 1, 2021 to discuss details and answer questions related to the application.

The application for this licence is being circulated within the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry.  Additionally, notification of this application has been forwarded to the Township of Perth East, the County of Perth, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, Hydro One Networks Inc., Bell Canada, Enbridge Inc., and Union Gas Limited, for comment.