Bedard Sand & Gravel Limited - Issuance of a licence to remove over 20,000 tonnes of aggregate annually from a pit or a quarry

Bedard Sand & Gravel Limited has applied for a Class A licence, Pit and Quarry Below Water to excavate aggregate from a pit and quarry of 30 hectares in size with an extraction area of 19.5 hectares. This application is for the establishment of a new quarry operation. The annual tonnage condition applied for is 907,000 tonnes.

Other information

Bedard Sand & Gravel Limited currently operates a pit below the water table under the authority of Licence No. 3260 under the ARA. In total 30 hectares are currently licenced. The annual tonnage condition is 907,000 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 Provincial Standards Version 1 (Provincial 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 Natural Resources (MNR):

• Site Plan
• Summary Statement
• Natural Environment Report (Level1 and 2)
• Cultural Heritage Report (Stage 1 and 2 Archaeological Assessment Report)
• Hydrogeological Assessment Report (Level 1)
• Noise Assessment Report
• Blast Design 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.

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.

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 (June 3, 2021 to August 13, 2021) 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 at aggregate resources\ontario.ca. 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. However, if the application was submitted before April 1, 2021 and met the site plan and report standards of Aggregate Resources of Ontario Provincial Standards, Version 1.0 the applicant is not required to change these documents to meet the new requirements.

Public consultation opportunities 

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 public notice of application appeared in the local paper, the Kawartha Lakes This Week on June 3, 2021. A virtual information session was held between June 21, 2021 to July 9, 2021.

The application for this licence was circulated within the Ministry of Natural Resources. Additionally, notification of this application has been forwarded to the, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Kawartha Conservation and the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for comment.