Friends of Lanark Highlands

Protecting Lanark Highlands from irresponsible aggregate development

May 19, 2026

Status of the Highland Line Pit Proposal:

The first Case Management Conference (CMC) regarding the proposed Highland Line Pit was held today. The next CMC has been scheduled for September 14, 2026. Friends of Lanark Highlands and Chief Doreen Davis of Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation were both granted Party Status in the Ontario Land Tribunal proceedings.

Click here for past updates on our blog

May 3, 2026

Click Image to download May 2026 Newsletter

Cavanagh Construction proposes a huge sand and gravel pit directly on the borders of Barbers Lake

A Class “A” pit operation with excavation below the water table operating 12 hours a day - 7 days a week (7 am to 7 pm)
Only a 30 metre setback from the sensitive wetland shores of Barbers Lake
Crushing, washing, and screening plants with recycling of imported construction waste and asphalt
Licence to remove up to 500,000 metric tonnes of aggregate annually
A truck every 2 minutes on the Highland Line, and continuing through Lanark Village to points east and south
The technical reports Cavanagh has submitted leave many unanswered questions about: traffic and roads; acoustics; the dark night sky; the impact on springs, aquifers, and wells; the impact on wetlands; loss of habitat and threat to species at risk; pre-contact archaeology; air quality;human health; property values; resource allocation; potential release of on-site uranium; climate change
In short, this proposal is an assault on the environment and the community surrounding McDonald’s Corners

Impacts

Removal and export of the entire hill forming the western shore of Barbers Lake

Potential destruction of important pre-contact artifacts
Loss of wildlife habitat in the vicinity of Barbers Lake and Long Sault Creek
Impact on property values and quality of life for waterfront and haul route communities
Damage to existing and future eco-tourism
Harm to water bodies through warmed water, potential contamination and silt
Threat to residents’ water supply, air quality, peace and well-being
Potential future demands, including a water taking licence, or permission to dewater

Aggregate is necessary for the growth and development of roads, housing and business!

Ontario has 13 times more aggregate than currently needed in already licensed pits

Misconceptions

This is revenue for the Township!

Lanark Highlands Township gets only 13 cents per tonne of aggregate taken away from the Township forever - in this pit the maximum payout possible would be $73,500 (14.7 cents x 500,000 = $73,500 per year), but likely much less - and MUCH MUCH less than the costs of road upgrades, loss of nature-based business and tourism, and the diminished value of properties throughout the area.

What can you do to help?

Write a letter! Details

Sign the petition to support the cause!

Attend public meetings. See upcoming Events

Become a member of Friends of Lanark Highlands

Join our mailing list to stay up-to-date (see below)

Make a donation to Friends of Lanark Highlands. Our Donation Page

Stay informed! Sign up for the mailing list here.

Make all your friends and neighbors aware!

Continue Writing Letters!

Letters of concern are crucial and can still be sent to Lanark Highlands Township, the County of Lanark and to our MPP John Jordon.

Subject: Cavanagh Proposed Highland Line Pit

Township of Lanark Highlands: LHclerk@lanarkhighlands.ca

County of Lanark: info@lanarkcounty.ca

Member of Provincial Parliament John Jordan: John.Jordan@pc.ola.org

Thank you to all who wrote letters of concern to both Phil White, the ARA/MNRF and the Environmental Registry as part of the licence application by Cavanagh. Every letter makes a difference!