News
Doug Ford’s latest threat to environmental protections & Ontario’s natural water systems
Thu, October 19, 2023 at 1:53 p.m. · 8 min read
Among the suite of legislative actions taken by the ruling PCs to expedite development projects, changes to the way Ontario handles storm management could create dire environmental consequences in the future.
Currently, four proposals sit on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) that, if passed, would streamline the approval process for certain waste management, stormwater management and water systems by exempting them from licensing requirements.
The move could have a profound impact on Ontario’s water systems.
October 19, 2023
URGENT!
The Ontario Government is planning to CHANGE THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT
They propose to CUT LANDOWNERS & THE PUBLIC OUT OF COMMENTING ON GRANTING LICENCES FOR AGGREGATE PITS
The Government is currently seeking to pass legislation to “streamline” and speed up pit licences, as well as other industrial land uses including water taking and water management on industrial sites.
Make your voice heard NOW! Public input is being accepted until October 30th on the Environmental Registry of Ontario
copy your comments to John Jordan MPP John.Jordan@pc.ola.org
Oct. 11, 2023
Reporting by Emma Paling at the Breach
Ford PCs took $60K from donors linked to company pushing giant gravel mine
Major construction firm’s executive donated thousands to Ford government, benefitted from PC’s rollback of environmental laws
Complete story with pictures at the Breach
Friends of Lanark Highlands Facebook Feed
Oct. 2, 2023
Maple farmer worries proposed gravel pit will decimate family business
Construction company says 'no impact' expected from pit near lake, wetlands
Nicole Williams · CBC News · Posted: Oct 03, 2023 4:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 9 hours ago
Vernon Wheeler has owned and run Wheelers Maple Products with his family since the late 1970s. A proposed gravel pit would sit next to his sugar bush.
July 12, 2023
Another pit…Another threat to the Long Sault Creek?
An application for expansion and below water table extraction has been filed for the McKinnon Pit on the Highland Line. A public information session was held on July 12th, 2023.
Arnott Brothers Construction Ltd. has applied for a site plan amendment and pit licence expansion for the McKinnon Pit at 958 Highland Line. This pit was originally licenced in 2009, adjacent to a branch of the Long Sault Creek and across the road from the proposed Cavanagh Highland Line pit.
Arnott Brothers are applying to expand their current 34.3 ha pit by licensing an additional 5.8 ha. They are applying for below water table extraction for the entire 40.1 ha. The application also requests an increase from 150,000 to 250,000 tonnes per year.
Arnott Brothers is holding a Public Information Session at 7pm on July 12th at the McDonalds Corners Agricultural Hall (194 Camerons Rd).
Information about the application is available at:
http://www.milestoneaggregate.com/arnott-brothers-mckinnon-pit-licence-application
The deadline to comment on this application is August 21, 2023.
Letters must be sent to:
Gary McLaren, Milestone Aggregate Consulting Services
email: gmclaren@milestoneaggregate.com
and cc’d to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
email: ARAapprovals@ontario.ca
Some potential issues may be:
potential harm to adjacent wetlands and a branch of the Long Sault Creek
threat to ground water table - no existing pits in the area are licenced to extract below the water table
potential harm to biodiversity and habitat of threatened species, including Blanding’s turtles
need for a full wetland evaluation around the McKinnon Pit
proximity to Wheelers, a thriving agri-tourism business - potential for changes to water levels for the sugar bush and more industrial activity and heavy truck traffic
