Aggregate Extraction, Rehabilitation & Current Research in Ontario. Muskoka Watershed Council - March 20, 2015

Transcription

1 Aggregate Extraction, Rehabilitation & Current Research in Ontario

2 Aggregates 101 Production Statistics Legislation Rehabilitation Current Research What the future holds Questions

3 Geology of Aggregates

4 The Geology of Aggregates Non-renewable natural resources Location of aggregate resources is fixed Ontario s mix is glacial and bedrock Ontario limestone is exceptional quality Ontario granite is exceptional quality and is shipped across Ontario for road construction Glacial deposits excellent sources of sand and gravel Usually exists on the landscape along with other natural resources Agricultural resources Natural heritage features and ESA habitat Water resources Existing urban areas

5 Ontario Production Statistics

6 Aggregates. Sand and gravel, crushed stone, and sand (natural & man made) Ontario s yearly production is 143 million tonnes in % decrease from 2012 Per capita consumption is 11 tonnes Decreasing steadily (12.6 in 2010) Largest purchaser of aggregate products is Provincial and municipal governments

7 Aggregate Use Aggregates are the foundation of everything we build Main component of; Ready mix concrete (> 90% by volume) Asphalt (>95% by volume) High performance products for long term infrastructure requirements Creating safe, efficient, sustainable communities

8 Consumption 11 tonnes per capita Small cities joined by long roads Freeze thaw cycle Cities are building up and out

9 ONTARIO S AGGREGATE PRODUCTION Provincial Provincial

10 Tonnes MUSKOKA PRODUCTION BY MUNCIPALITY Muskoka Bracebridge Georgian Bay Gravenhurst Huntsville Lakes of Bays Muskoka Lakes

11 Million Tonnes PARRY SOUND/ HALIBURTON/ MUSKOKA/ SIMCOE Licence Production PARRY SOUND HALIBURTON MUSKOKA SIMCOE

12 Million Tonnes SIMCOE / GREY / BRUCE / KAWARTHA LAKES / MUSKOKA Licence Production SIMCOE GREY BRUCE KAWARTHA LAKES MUSKOKA

13 Industry Regulation

14 Regulation Aggregate Resources Act (ARA) primary tool Governs all aspects of operation within property Activities outside property governed by other legislation Approvals process complicated long process in parts of Ontario 8-10 years if appealed to OMB

15 Regulation Federal Provincial Regional/Municipal Fisheries Act Aggregate Resources Act Municipal Act Species at Risk Act Planning Act Official Plans CEAA Occupational Health & Safety Act Zoning By-Laws Canadian Environmental Protection Act Drainage Act Development Agreements Migratory Birds Convention Act Provincial Policy Statement Ontario Water Resources Act Environmental Protection Act Endangered Species Act Ontario Heritage Act Clean Water Act Environmental Assessment Act Environmental Bill of Rights Conservation Authorities Act Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act Greenbelt Act Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan Growth Plan Lake Simcoe Protection Act Niagara Escarpment & Development Act

16 Aggregate Levy 11.5 cents/tonne Lower Tier Municipality 6 cents Upper Tier Municipality 1.5 cents Crown (MNR) 3.5 cents MAAP/TOARC -.5 cents Collected and administered by The Ontario Aggregate Resources Corporation (TOARC ) and redistributed

17 Challenges Supply & Demand Resources are becoming scarcer in key urban markets 2010 report by MNR indicates shortages in key urban areas within the decade Licencing often takes 6 to 8 years in near-urban areas Ontario continues to grow 3 million more residents in next 15 years Ageing infrastructure

18 Rehabilitation

19 Rehabilitation Required by Aggregate Resources Act Required to be done progressively Industry can create just about anything Wetlands, grassland, cropland, forests, cliffs Challenge remains to have everyone agree on what should be created Aggregates are an interim land use

20 Ingersoll, Ontario Ingersoll,Ontario Vineland, Ontario St. Mary s, Ontario Kapuskasking,Ontario London,Ontario

21 Research OSSGA Rehabilitation Study GRCA Best Practices Carden Plain Cumulative Impact Study

22 Ongoing Research: Aggregate Site Rehabilitation Learn more about the state of surrendered aggregate sites 576 out of 1400 sites studied 337 in in 2013 Research focus: Current land-use(s) Surrounding landscape Provincial and municipal land-use planning framework Basic site ecology

23 Ongoing Research: Rehabilitated Sites in Ontario

24 Percentage Land Use of Rehabilitated Aggregate Properties in Overall Research Area 3% 15% 6% 3% 14% 3% 3% 11% 32% 10% Natural Open space Water Agriculture Recreational Commercial Industrial Institutional Residential Other

25 Current Land Use of Rehabilitated Sites in Greenbelt Plan Area 4% 8% 7% 9% 0% 1% 6% 4% 12% 49% Natural Open space Water Agriculture Recreational Commercial Industrial Institutional Residential Other

26 Current Land Use of Rehabilitated Sites in Toronto 35% 10% 4% 2% 0% 0% 6% 30% 8% 5% Natural Open space Water Agriculture Recreational Commercial Industrial Institutional Residential Other

27 Best Practices Paper For Below-Water Sand and Gravel Extraction Operations in Priority Subwatersheds in the Grand River Watershed Project Partners: Grand River Conservation Authority Ministry of Natural Resources Ministry of Environment Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association Project Duration: more than 5 years Industry and GRCA discussions in 2005 Best Practices Paper Implementation and Management - ongoing Voluntary participation by new licensees

28 Carden Plain Cumulative Impact Assessment Study Project Partners: Ministry of the Environment 10 Producers, 11 Quarries OSSGA Project duration: 3.5 yrs Mar 2009 Oct 2012 Total Project Cost over $400,000

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30 Carden Cumulative Impact Study Cumulative effects of dewatering additive effect of multiple quarry dewatering operations on groundwater, surface water, and ecological resources methodology includes data compilation, data gap analysis, field monitoring, numerical groundwater modelling, impact assessment, and long-term monitoring program development

31 What the future holds. Commitment to highest and best use of aggregates More monitoring Coordinated, shared, debated More functional rehabilitation Better understanding of water in the landscape Sharing the science with other industries