Jeffrey’s reply to citizens’ comments on the megaquarry

Message from the Minister June 8 2011

Thank you for your e-mail regarding a quarry licence application submitted under the Aggregate Resources Act (ARA) by the Highland Companies in the Township of Melancthon.  I am pleased to respond.

My colleagues and I believe that all Ontarians deserve to live and work in clean, safe communities – communities in which the environment contributes to our overall health and well-being.  With respect to the proposed quarry, our government’s goal is to ensure an open and transparent process for the application. We are still in the early stages of the licensing application process, and no approval has yet been given for a quarry to proceed in Melancthon Township.

You may be interested to know that the ARA provides for a full review of the potential impact of such a development on the local environment.  The proposed quarry will also require approval under other legislation, including the Planning Act, the Environmental Protection Act and the Ontario Water Resources Act.

As set out by the ARA, groups or individuals had 45 days – until April 26, 2011 – to register official objections to the proposed quarry.  In response to the significant level of interest from the community, I have extended the comment period on the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry for this proposal until July 11, 2011.  All comments received prior to July 11, 2011 will be considered as part of the decision-making process by the Ministry of Natural Resources, if they are submitted in writing or electronically through the registry’s website at www.ontario.ca/ebr using the form provided in this notice and reference EBR Registry number 011-2864.

If you have any questions, please e-mail Midhurst.Aggregates@Ontario.ca. 

Again, thank you for writing.

Sincerely

Linda Jeffrey

Minister of Natural Resources