[All] Speak out on Aggregates

[Louisette Lanteigne]

Hello Gravel Watch 
Member
 
If 
you are concerned with aggregate issues in your community, this is your chance 
to have your concerns heard…
 
The Rural Ontario Municipal 
Association (ROMA) is holding its annual conference starting February 27th. This 
is an excellent opportunity for municipalities to discuss important issues with 
the province. 
 
Per ROMA’s web site, “Issues which 
are currently before ROMA include intensive livestock operations, nutrient 
management, rural schools, commodity prices, farm taxation, economic 
development, roads, bridges and infrastructure, a new Municipal Act, and 
ambulance services in rural Ontario.” Absent from this list are issues related 
to pits and quarries.
 
Gravel Watch has recently contacted 
rural municipalities across Ontario, urging them to raise these issues at the 
ROMA conference. This is not enough - please 
reinforce this message locally. Bring your concerns to the attention 
of your municipal councils. The following are issues which we believe are key, 
and on which we believe a united voice can influence provincial 
policy:
 
1.       
Increase 
royalties payable to municipalities to help offset costs related to 
aggregate operations, and / or require applicants to pay the costs of peer 
reviews required by the municipality. Unless specifically required in the 
municipality’s Official Plan, current processes place the cost of these reviews 
on municipalities and residents’ groups who have inadequate resources to fund 
them.
 
2.       
Establish minimum separation distances between aggregate 
operations and settlements. The current required setback does not 
allow adequate protection of residential areas from negative 
impacts.
 
3.       
Do not allow MNR 
to unilaterally, without approval of the municipality, approve amendments to 
conditions on licenses and site plans that were set during the public process. 
Current policy allows MNR approval 
of many significant amendments, including changes of licenses from “above water” 
to “below water”, without approval by the municipality.
 
4.       
Require better 
enforcement of site plans and regulations, including 
rehabilitation. The MNR is understaffed and unable 
to adequately monitor operations. Pits and quarries are inspected, on average, 
once every five to seven years. Further, it is estimated that less than half of 
excavated lands are being rehabilitated.
 
Please call, email or write to your 
local council immediately. Feel free to use information provided in this email 
to make your job easier and your case stronger.
 
Time is of the 
essence… please act now.
 

 
Gravel Watch 
Executive
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