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NDACT seeks input for quarry engagement

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Published on Thursday, 27 January 2022 01:17
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By Trina Berlo
Posted in the Creemore Echo, January 26, 2022

More than 150 people took part in a community meeting last Saturday to weigh in on NDACT’s proposed engagement with Strada Aggregates as it explores the possibility of applying for a licence to quarry below the water table at its pit in Melancthon.

Polls conducted during the virtual meeting showed strong support for NDACT’s proposal but an online survey will be active for the next week or so to collect more input.

Past president and community engagement liaison Carl Cosack said after the survey closes he expects NDACT will officially engage with

Strada to present the survey results and get their response to the proposal. NDACT – the North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Taskforce – is a grassroots group formed in 2009 by local farmers and residents to defend Melancthon’s prime farmland at the headwaters of five rivers from a proposed mega- quarry. After a successful campaign, NDACT continues to fight for farmland and source water by developing awareness, encouraging people power, and by promoting better legislation. NDACT is proposing to be included as participants in the development of the Aggregate Resources Act application with the condition that if it is confident that the “science is solid” it would not oppose the application. Cosack alluded to errors in the mega quarry application that makes NDACT dubious of the facts contained in future applications. He said, for example, the mega quarry application proposed to manage 600 million litres of water per day in perpetuity, which he considered ridiculous and would be a no-go if something similar was part of the Strada application.

NDACT is also proposing that Strada hire a community-trusted consultant who would be part of the team developing the application, and that NDACT will act as a communication conduit with the local community.

It proposes 10 cents per tonne of aggregate be contributed to the North Dufferin Community Centre renovation and would require Strada to establish a fund to handle all costs incurred by property owners who have unanticipated well issues and need funding to prove their case, and other specific funding commitments to be determined and negotiated.

“Strada’s response to this proposal will determine if the early reach-out for community involvement and application transparency is just a public relations stunt or if they truly respect this community,” said Cosack. “We sure will keep you informed as to the negotiations between Strada and NDACT. Transparency remains key.”

Strada has said it is exploring the viability of expanding operations to quarry 250 acres on its current site located at the 4th Line and County Road 17 in Melancthon.

Because no official application has been filed, NDACT does not have the details at hand but Strada has said it is proposing a quarry one-tenth the size of the mega quarry extracting two million tonnes per year, and that assessments and studies are being completed to understand the existing conditions and the potential of bedrock extraction below the water table.

“NDACT’s eyes are wide open,” said Cosack. “We have a handle on who the actual proponent is.” Strada Aggregates is part of the Condrain Group of companies, which services public and private sectors building sewers, tunnels, and watermains. The company absorbed the road division once known as Con-Strada which builds roads, parking structures, and highways.

A public engagement process is not required under the Aggregate Resources Act so NDACT is grateful for the outreach early in the process.

“As we all know, below the water table extraction can affect the groundwater flowing through the aquifer beneath the fields of Melancthon and can have an impact on the drinking water of potentially millions of people as well as possibly harming the resources of nearby farmers who grow our food,” said vice chair Brian Bell at the conclusion of the meeting. “For this reason NDACT would like to thank Strada Aggregates for reaching out and asking NDACT to engage with them on their quarry proposal in its early planning stages. Very rarely do communities get the opportunity to be made aware of a planned quarry pre-application and for that reason we greatly appreciate Strada’s offer to be good neighbours and to committing to share information as it becomes available.”

View the entire ‘NDACT community meeting on proposal to Strada Aggregates’ on YouTube, via NDACT Secretary. The survey is posted at NDACT. com.

 
 

NDACT Press Release - Jan. 24, 2022

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Published on Thursday, 27 January 2022 01:50
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For Immediate Release 

January 24th, 2022 – Dufferin County

North Dufferin Agricultural Community Taskforce (NDACT) held  a public meeting on Saturday January. 15th, 2022 with a virtual audience of over 300 concerned Ontarians in response to Strada Aggregate’s proposal to quarry below the water table at their pit near Honeywood.  

During the meeting, NDACT solicited input from the community and stakeholders on NDACT’s proposed strategy with Strada Aggregates. 

 Key Components of NDACT’s Approach: 

 Strada would be required to hire a Community Trusted Consultant and make them part of the Strada application development team. 

NDACT will be this community’s Communication conduit to Strada for the process duration. 

If the Community Trusted Consultant agrees with the science behind the application studies and should that science deem the application viable, NDACT is prepared not to challenge the application when it is filed. 

As part of NDACT’s agreement not to challenge the application, NDACT would require specific funding commitments from Strada to this community. 

Strada has communicated that if the science is not solid, they will not continue with their quest. We expect them to keep their word. Should Strada still pursue an application for a quarry NDACT would fully engage in opposing such a quest. 

So far the results of the survey are overwhelming in support of NDACT’s approach. NDACT is encouraging you to participate in the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5VB6B5Q  
 
Strada’s plans to quarry below the water table is reminiscent of the proposal put forth by the Highland Companies and a billion dollar hedge fund, during the Stop the Quarry campaign. NDACT and the community are well aware of the scientific facts and potential for water contamination.  
 
NDACT will be requesting a meeting with Strada to discuss moving forward and as well, meeting with Provincial leaders, in order to ensure a safe future for Southern Ontario’s water sources. 
 
NDACT's mission is to preserve and protect the unique and non-renewable resources of North Dufferin County. The Headwaters that supply Water to millions of Southern Ontarians. Our exceptional Prime Agricultural Farmland and the environment. Our social economic and cultural characteristics that have been such an important and vibrant part of our community and its heritage for more than 150 years. 
 
For further information or to arrange an interview with NDACT, please contact: 
Nanci Malek 

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  


 

 

Local agriculture group shares list of requests for proposed gravel pit

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Published on Friday, 28 January 2022 02:36
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Posted in the Shelburne Free Press
January 27, 2022

Written by Paula Brown

North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Taskforce (NDACT) has released a list of requests for Strada Aggregate, a company proposing to quarry below the water table at a gravel pit near Honeywood.

The locally based volunteer taskforce held a virtual public meeting on Jan. 15 to discuss and receive input from community stakeholders on their strategy to approach Strada Aggregate regarding the quarry proposal. The meeting saw over 300 individuals in attendance virtually.

On Jan. 24, NDACT released a list of key components they are requesting Strada follow, starting with the hiring of a community trusted consultant.

NDACT said if the consultant agrees with the science behind the application studies and the science is deemed viable, they are prepared to not challenge the application. They added that as part of this agreement they request Strada create a substantial fund to aid in court costs for people who may experience water problems, and commit annually to funding 10 cents per tonne of their extracted aggregate to the Honeywood Arena.

“We think this is a reasonable approach,” said Karren Wallace, chair of NDACT. “If it’s going to go ahead, these are the two asks that we would like.”

However, NDACT notes that if the community trusted consultant sees the reports and does not agree that the science is supported, they ask that Strada keep their word and not continue with the application.

“Should Strada still pursue an application for a quarry, NDACT would fully engage in opposing such a quest,” reads the NDACT press release.

The Strada Aggregates quarry proposal was first brought up in October of 2021 with a presentation to Melanchthon Council.

Located in the area of 4th Line and County Rd. 17 in Melanchthon, Strada Aggregates has operated as an active gravel pit since 2004.

The company is now proposing an aggregate quarry, with assessments and studies being completed on the feasibility to extract below the water table.

If the reports of a company proposing to quarry below the water table in the region of North Dufferin sounds familiar, it’s because it is. In 2011, an application was put forth by Highland’s Company proposing a limestone ‘mega-quarry’, and was later pulled from the application following a “Stop the Quarry” campaign.

In their presentation, Strada said while close in location to the former ‘mega-quarry’, theirs will be one tenth the size of the mega-quarry, and will be extracting 2 million tonnes as opposed to 10 million. It would also be located in an existing gravel pit rather than on agricultural land.

While Strada indicates the quarry will be different, Wallace argues that apart from size, the community is facing the same challenges and concerns regarding water.

“You need to be sure that once you’ve tapped into that bedrock, you know what you’re doing,” said Wallace.

A decade since their fight against the mega-quarry, NDACT continues to meet on a monthly bases, in preparation for another quarry proposal.

“It’s always been not if it comes back, but when it is going to come back again,” explains Wallace.

She added that NDACT has already seen community members expressing their displeasure since the new quarry was proposed.

“People are weary. It’s one thing when you’re taking gravel at the top of some land, but it’s profoundly different when you start blasting into the bedrock and the aquifer,” said Wallace.

Strada’s projected timeline for submission of application for the quarry is late 2022.

Strada's Zoning Amendment Documentation 2017 & 2018

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Published on Tuesday, 08 February 2022 02:54
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The following is copied From the Township of Melancthon website. 

In 2017 and 2018 Strada applied to rezone land to accommodate aggregate extraction. Impact assessments are also listed. 

NOTICE OF DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THE ADOPTION OF land fromOFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT No. 2 (OPA 2) AND THE APPROVAL OF ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT 34-2018 – STRADA AGGREGATES INC.

On July 5, 2018, Council of the Corporation of the Township of Melancthon passed By-law No. 34-2018 to amend Zoning By-law No. 12-79 by rezoning the lands located in the West Half of Lots 12 and 14, Concession 3 O.S. from the Agricultural (A1) Zone to the Extractive Industrial (M2) and Open Space Conservation (OS2) Zones. In accordance with Section 34 (18.1) of the Planning Act, there were no comments or written submissions provided to Council that affected Council’s decision to approve By-law 34-2018.

On July 5, 2018, Council of the Corporation of the Township of Melancthon passed By-law No. 33-2018 to adopt OPA 2. The purpose of OPA 2 is to redesignate lands located in Part of the West Half of Lots 12 and 14, Concession 3 O.S. from the Agricultural designation to the Extractive Industrial designation. It is noted that the lands subject to OPA 2 are the same lands that are the subject of ZBA 34-2018 described above.

Any person or agency may appeal to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal in respect of the Zoning By-law Amendment by filing with the Clerk of the Township not later than the 31st day of July, 2018, a notice of appeal setting out the objection to the by-law and the reasons in support of the objection.  The filing fee of $300.00 must accompany the objection by cheque payable to the Ontario Minister of Finance.

Click here for the Notice of Decision

Click here for Official Plan Amendment No. 2 (OPA 2)

Click here for the Zoning By-law Amendment

 

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING FOR AN OFFICIAL PLAN AND ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT – Thursday, December 21st, 2017 at 5:30 p.m.  Click here for the Public Notice.  Click here for the Draft Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment.

 

 

On June 21, 2017, the Township received an application from Strada Aggregates to re-designate and rezone lands located in Part of the West Half of Lots 12 and 14, Concession 3 OS for the purpose of establishing new mineral aggregate operations.  The applications were deemed complete by Council on July 20, 2017.  The applications for OPA and ZBA can be found on this page as well as the technical studies which accompanied the applications.  Click here for the NOTICE OF COMPLETE APPLICATION.

Letter from MHBC Planning regarding the Strada Aggregates OPA & ZBA

Official Plan Amendment Application

Zoning By-law Amendment Application

MNRF Deemed Complete Application Letter

Planning Report of Chris Jones, Township Planning Consultant

Planning Report and Aggregate Resources Act Summary

Level 1 and 2 Natural Environment Report

Level 1 and 2 Hydrogeological Assessment

Noise Impact Study

Stages 1-2 Archaeological Assessment-Bonnefield Property

Stages 1-2 Archaeological Assessment-Prince Property

Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment

Agricultural Impact Assessment

Traffic Study

ARA Site Plans

NDACT Press Release Mar. 7, 2022

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Published on Tuesday, 08 March 2022 15:55
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For Immediate Release: March 7, 2022

This public message is brought to you by NDACT.

At our January 15, 2022, Community Meeting, NDACT proposed that if the science behind Strada Application Studies is deemed viable, NDACT is prepared to not challenge the application.

We are working with Strada to negotiate the creation of a fund to be established once the application has been approved. This fund will assist certain landowners to rmedy water problems experienced during the lifetime of the quarry.

Section 12 (e) of the Aggregate Resources Act states that an applicant must show there are any possible effects on ground and surface water resources including provate wells and natural water features.

Strada has notified NDACT that they will be conducting this study. Strada will be seeking permission to access the properties of landowners within 1 kilometer of their proposed quarry site.

As a property owner you should be aware that you do not have to give consent to Strada to access your land.

To protect your interests, NDACT reccommends landowners wait to provide access to their property pending an agreement between NDACT and Strada.

For further information contact:

Nanci Malek

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.