Fowler Construction Company Ltd. - 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 February 13, 2023, 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

Fowler Construction Company Ltd. has applied for a Class A licence (Category 1 and 2 – Pit and Quarry) with Phase A proposed to occur below water and Phase B to occur above water, to excavate aggregate from a pit and quarry 160.3 hectares in size with an extraction area of 142.3 hectares. This application is for an extension to the existing Childs Pit and Quarry (ARA Licence No. 618881). It is proposed that the annual tonnage condition for the new licenced site is 2 million tonnes.

Other information

Fowler Construction Company Ltd. currently operates the adjacent site under the authority of Licence No. 618881 under the ARA. In total 234.7 hectares are currently licenced as both a pit and quarry.  The annual tonnage condition is unlimited.

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 (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 Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry office listed below:

• Site plan
• Summary Statement
• Natural Environment Report Level 1 and 2
• Cultural Heritage (Archeological Assessment Stage 2)
• Hydrogeological Level 1 and level 2 (Hydrogeology and Hydrology Report)
• Noise Assessment (Noise Impact Assessment)
• Blast Design (Blasting Impact 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 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 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 the Environmental Registry should not be construed as an objection under the ARA 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 Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry person specified on this notice to determine how to submit an objection.

Public consultation opportunities

As specified in the ARA , written notice concerning this application was delivered to landowners within 120 meters 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 Bracebridge Examiner on March 4, 2021.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, documents are available for review at https://www.fowler.ca/childs-pit/. In place of an in-person Information Session, Fowler Construction Company Ltd. is available during business hours from March 23 to April 7, 2021, excluding weekends and statutory holidays to discuss details and answer questions related to the application. Please contact James Gordon by phone at 705-645-2214 or by email at jgordon@fowler.ca.

The application for this licence is being circulated within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Additionally, notification of this application has been forwarded to the Town of Bracebridge, the District of Muskoka, Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks, Hydro One, and Department of Fisheries and Oceans, for comment.