[All] Important opportunity to reduce the environmental and community impact of aggregate operations

[Daphne Nichollls]

Hello GREN, 

Re: Input about standards and certification for aggregate extraction. Input accepted until March 6, 2014.

Fraser Gibson asked me to circulate this. He is involved with Kitchener's Natural Areas Program, a  past president of the KW Field Naturalists, a strong supporter of Ontario Nature, and a Friend of Hidden Valley.

Please share it with others you know who are concerned about aggregate extraction.

Thank you,
Daphne



>> Subject: Important opportunity to reduce the environmental and community impact of aggregate operations
>> 
>> Dear Nature Network Friends,
>>  
>> Over the past four years Ontario Nature has been working with a number of environmental and industry partners to develop a certification system for environmentally and socially responsible aggregate operations in Ontario. A key partner in this work is Ron Reid of the Couchiching Conservancy, one of our valued Nature Network member organizations.
>>  
>> Ron and I helped establish Cornerstone Standards Council, the organization that was formed to develop the standard and the certification process. Cornerstone Standards Council (CSC) released a draft Responsible Aggregate Standard on January 6th for public comment. The consultation process will close on March 6th.
>>  
>> The overall purpose of this initiative is to create and implement a voluntary certification program for aggregate operations that achieve an environmental and social standard significantly higher than required through current regulation. The standard has many components including ones for natural heritage and biodiversity. The reward for aggregate companies are an improved social license to operate and access to markets for consumers seeking “green” materials (e.g. environmentally responsible developers).
>>  
>> Parallels to CSC are the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for forest products, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for fish and seafood and the LEED standards for buildings.
>>  
>> There are a many excellent components in the draft Standard. But it needs to be strengthened in some key areas. Many of you are in communities where major aggregate operations exist and new ones are planned. We know the toll that aggregate extraction can take on the natural environment – loss of habitat and species, fragmentation of natural heritage systems, impacts on ground water and more. There is huge demand for aggregate products in Ontario. Our goal is to ensure that CSC certification will reduce the impact of aggregate operations on the environment and on local communities where aggregate is mined.
>> 
>> Input from our Nature Network groups is important.
>> 
>> A series of public consultation sessions on the Standard is currently underway (http://www.cornerstonestandards.ca/?p=649 ). We realize that it may not be possible for all to attend these sessions. CSC is willing to host a webinar on the standards if there is a strong interest from our groups.  
>>  
>> If you would be interested in joining a webinar please fill in this poll: http://doodle.com/3882n3m7dwcdadi4.
>>  
>> As the consultation is currently underway I ask that you please indicate your interest ASAP so we can make the necessary arrangements.
>>  
>> In the meantime, the standard is available for download on the Cornerstone Standards Council's website. (http://www.cornerstonestandards.ca/?p=629).
>>  
>> Also, I would be very happy to answer any questions you might have about the draft standard and the certification process.
>>  
>>  
>> Very best wishes,
>>  
>>  
>> Caroline
>>  
>>  
>> _____________
>> Caroline Schultz
>> Executive Director
>> Ontario Nature
>> 214 King Street West, Suite 612
>> Toronto, ON M5H 3S6
>> Tel: 416-444-8419 ext. 237
>> Toll free: 1-800-440-2366
>> Cell: 416-768-9795
>> Fax: 416-444-9866
>> carolines at ontarionature.org
>> www.ontarionature.org
>>  
>>  
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>>  
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>>  
>>  
>> P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail
> 
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