Coco Properties Corporation - 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 October 27, 2021 to advise the public that this application under the Aggregate Resources Act has been referred by the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry to the Ontario Land Tribunal.  Please refer to https://olt.gov.on.ca/tribunals/lpat/e-status/ for information on scheduled hearings of the Ontario Land Tribunal.

Cruickshank Construction Limited has requested that this licence application be transferred to Coco Properties Corporation.  

This notice was initially posted on December 13, 2017 for 47 days, closing on January 29, 2018.  We are re-posting this notice for an additional 46-days (September 5, 2019 to October 21, 2019) to allow for any new comments. Previous comments submitted do not need to be sent again.

Description of instrument

Coco Properties Corporation has applied for a Class “A” licence (Category 2 - Quarry Below Water) to excavate aggregate from a quarry 73.8 hectares in size. This application is for the establishment of a new quarry. The annual tonnage condition applied for is 1,000,000 tonnes.

Other information

Coco Properties Corporation. currently operates the adjacent site under the authority of licence # 2901 under the Aggregate Resources Act. In total 56.84 hectares are currently licenced as a quarry. The annual tonnage condition is 500,000 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 I and II)
• Cultural Heritage (Stage I , II and III )
• Hydrogeological (Level I and II)
• Noise Assessment
• Blast Design

The Site Plan addresses existing features of the 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 Kingston Whig Standard newspaper on November 23, 2017. A public information session will be held on December 13, 2017 between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 pm at the Trinity United Church, 2170 Unity Road, Elginburg, Ontario, K0H 1MO.

The application for this licence is being circulated within the MNRF Peterborough District, Kingston Field Office. Additionally, notification of this application has been forwarded to the City of Kingston, County of Frontenac, Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority, Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Enbridge Pipelines Inc., TransCanada Pipelines Limited, and Hydro One Network Inc. for comment.