D. Lafond Contracting 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 June 29, 2021 to advise the public that this application under the Aggregate Resources Act has been referred by the Ministry to the Ontario Land Tribunal.  Please refer to https://olt.gov.on.ca/tribunals/lpat/about-lpat/ for information on scheduled hearings of the Ontario Land Tribunal.

This notice was updated on January 13, 2021 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

D. Lafond Contracting Limited has applied for a Class “A” licence (Category 3 & 4 - Pit Above Water and Quarry Above Water) to excavate aggregate from a pit and quarry of 23.15 hectares in size. This application is for the establishment of a new pit and quarry. An annual tonnage condition of ‘unlimited’ tonnes of aggregate has been applied for.

Other information

D. Lafond Contracting Limited had a licence on the east and west side of Kukagami Lake Road, where they are now applying for a licence (west). However, it was a pit only (only able to extract loose material – sand, gravel, rocks). The portion on the west side was surrendered, so that a pit and quarry (consolidated material –bedrock) could be applied for in approximately the same area.

D. Lafond Contracting Limited currently operates the adjacent site (East side of Kukagami Lake Road) under the authority of licence # 20421 under the Aggregate Resources Act. In total, 7 hectares are currently licenced as a pit. An annual tonnage condition of 150,000 tonnes of aggregate can be removed from the site.

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 including Groundwater Summary Statement
• Natural Environment Level I & II
• Cultural Heritage Stage I
• Noise Assessment
• Blast Impact Assessment

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

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 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.

A Blast Design report is prepared if a sensitive receptor, defined by the Provincial Standards, is based within 500 meters 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. The last day for objections under the ARA was November 3, 2017.

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 Northern Life and on September 14, 2017 and Le Voyageur on September 20, 2017. A public information session was held on October 24, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at the Colonial Inn, 24 Cedar St. Coniston ON P0M 1M0.

The application for this licence was circulated within the MNRF Sudbury District office. Additionally, notification of this application was forwarded to the Municipality of Markstay-Warren, Sudbury East Planning Board, a utility company and Department of Fisheries and Oceans, for comment.