Friends of Lanark Highlands
Protecting Lanark Highlands from irresponsible aggregate development
September 14, 2026
Status of the Highland Line Pit Proposal:
We would like to provide a brief update on the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) proceedings for the proposed Highland Line pit.
The second Case Management Conference (CMC), which had been scheduled for September 14, 2026, has been postponed. This is due to the Aggregate Resources Act application having not yet been referred to the OLT by the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The second CMC, which will include scheduling of the OLT hearing, is now expected to take place early in the new year.
Friends of Lanark Highlands continues to participate in the OLT process as a Party and will continue to keep you informed as further information becomes available.
Thank you, as always, for your continued interest and support.
Click on the above image to download.
The Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) replaces the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). This guide explains the changes made to the process of land use planning in our province.
Friends of Lanark Highlands
Fall Fundraiser
Saturday October 24, 2026
Doors open at 4pm
Dinner Starts at 5pm
Show Starts at 7pm
MacDonalds Corners AG Hall
194 Camerons Rd., McDonalds Corners
September 2, 2026
Click Image to download September 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!
Proposed Sand and Gravel Pit on the Highland Line just south of McDonald’s Corners (in red)
The other sites in yellow are existing gravel pits. At present, none of these local pits operate below the water table.
For directions - google maps
Education, Documents and Technical Reports
Cavanagh Construction web site
Lanark Highlands township web site
Township of Lanark Highlands - Official Plan