Corporation of the Municipality of Oliver Paipoonge - Issuance of a licence to remove over 20,000 tonnes of aggregate annually from a pit or a quarry

The Corporation of the Municipality of Oliver Paipoonge has applied for a Class A licence, Pit Above Water, to excavate aggregate from a pit of 28 hectares in size with an extraction area of 10 hectares. This application is for the establishment of a new pit. The annual tonnage condition applied for is 999,999 tonnes.

Other information

The Corporation of the Municipality of Oliver Paipoonge currently operates the adjacent site to the west under the authority of licence No. 610461 under the ARA.  In total 20 hectares are currently licenced as a pit.  The annual tonnage condition is 20,000 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 (MNDMNRF):

• Site plan
• Summary Statement
• Natural Environment Report (level 1)
• Cultural Heritage Report (Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment)

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 report is to ensure that significant archaeological resources are identified, assessed for their significance, and protected (preserved or collected).

The Ministry reviews all comments received through the Environmental Registry and the notification and consultation process under the Aggregate Resources Act (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 Aggregate resources 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 Chronicle Journal on September 11, 2021, and the Oliver Paipoonge Press on October 1, 2021.

A Public Information Session was held on October 13, 2021, at 5:30pm at the Murillo Community Hall with the option to attend virtually via videoconferencing. The information submitted in support of the application is available for viewing at http://everettpit.tbte.ca . Documents are also available for in-person viewing at 3250 Highway 130, Rosslyn, ON P7K 0B1, Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm. To access the documents in person, please call 807-935-2613 in advance.

The application for this licence is being circulated within the MNDMNRF. Additionally, notification of this application has been forwarded to Municipality of Oliver Paipoonge, Lakehead Region Conservation Authority, Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Cultural Industries, Ministry of Transportation, and Tbaytel, for comment.