Say No to LCP Brechin Quarry Application & Quarry Monopoly in Ramara Township

Residents and tax payers of Ramara Township oppose the licensing of a new LCP Brechin Quarry in the Township of Ramara, and the proposed amendments to zoning. The approval of another huge quarry of 374.1 acres would further increase quarry monopolization of land use in the Township of Ramara.

On July 15, 2024 LCP Quarry Ltd. submitted an application to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry for a Class A Licence under the Aggregate Resources Act (ARA). This application is referred to as the proposed Brechin Quarry and is located at part of Lots 11, 12 and 13, Concession 1 in Ramara Township. Adding an additional quarry so close to Brechin raises significant environmental and health concerns. This land is less than 3 kms from Brechin and very close to cottages and homes located along Concession Road A, Concession roads 1, 2 and 3, and along Lakeshore Drive next to Lake Simcoe. Three existing homes are sandwiched between the proposed quarry site and Highway 12.

The land is zoned as agricultural and is composed of approximately 50% Class 1 soils. Turning such valuable agricultural land into a quarry is a waste of a crucial resource, especially given that Ontario does not have a shortage of licensed aggregate supply. Ontario contains over half of Canada’s prime agricultural soils, despite farmland only making up <5% of province’s land base. Ontario is losing 319 acres of farmland every day as per 2021 agricultural census. At this rate Ontario’s farmland in production today will be lost over the next 100 years.

Dust, noise, and blasting from quarry operations would directly impact adjacent properties. For those living within a three-kilometre radius, the daily disturbance would be unbearable. My own home, situated two kilometres from the Lafarge quarry, often shakes and rattles. Dust is frequently seen blowing toward settlement areas. It will be much worse for the residents living closer to this additional quarry and hub of quarries.

Creating pits or quarries requires the removal of virtually all-natural vegetation, topsoil, and subsoil to reach the aggregate underneath. This leads to a loss of existing wildlife and biodiversity as plants and aquatic habitats are destroyed. Adjacent ecosystems are affected by noise, dust, pollution, and contaminated water. Pits and quarries disrupt the existing movement of surface water and groundwater, leading to reduced quantity and quality of drinking water for residents and wildlife near or within the area of quarry sites. The watersheds that filter and support the larger bodies of water within Ramara Township like Lake Simcoe, Lake Dalrymple, Lake Couchiching and all the tributaries must not be further compromised by adding more large-scale aggregate mining sites that only a few profit from, and in many cases do not call Ramara Township their home. 

Numerous underutilized aggregate sites sit dormant across the province. According to the Ontario Aggregate Resources Corporation, the gravel mining industry already has permits to extract 13 times more aggregate annually than we consume. This overabundance makes the establishment of a new quarry not only unnecessary but also economically redundant.

The area proposed to be licensed under the ARA is (151.4 hectares or 374.1 acres) and the proposed extraction area is (91.5 hectares or 226.1 acres). The site is proposed to ship a maximum of 2,000,000 tonnes (roughly 44,444 truck loads, @ 18 cubic metres per tri-axle) aggregate per annum, and will be a below the ground water table quarry. The entrance/exit is proposed to be from Concession Road 2, approximately 450 metres west of Highway 12 and the main haul route will be east on Concession Road 2 to the intersection at Highway 12 where the majority of truck traffic is expected to travel south towards the GTA.

The truck route to be used involves travel on Concession Road 2 and Highway 12, which has become inundated with more and more traffic. This includes already excessive aggregate truck traffic, which is well known to bring a heightened level of risk to travel on Highway 12. A great number of the residents of Ramara Township have experienced near misses involving truck traffic and are very aware of the added risk from the huge increase in truck traffic on roads within Ramara Township and on Highway 12.

Noise pollution from blasting and heavy machinery will disrupt the peace and tranquility that cottage owners seek. Dust generated by the quarry can travel significant distances, potentially settling on lake properties and affecting air quality. Additionally, the risk of groundwater contamination from quarry operations could impact the lake’s water quality, endangering the ecosystem and recreational activities such as swimming, boating, and fishing. The economic value of lake properties may also decline due to these adverse effects, impacting property owners and the local economy.

Brechin is on the verge of growth and revitalization. The council plans to transform the recently purchased St. Andrews Hall into an open, public space for all Ramara residents.

Businesses along Brechin’s main corridor have invested significant time and money to establish themselves, aiming to expand alongside the village’s development. A few years ago, Ramara council was enthusiastic about the village settlement being slated for development, with two primary schools — Foley Catholic School and Brechin Public School — within walking distance.

The proposed quarry near Brechin poses significant risks to our environment, health, and community growth. With ample aggregate supplies already available and many sites underused, the necessity of a new quarry is highly questionable. Our community’s vision for a vibrant, expanding Brechin should not be compromised for an unnecessary and disruptive quarry. Let us instead prioritize our resident's well-being, protect our environment, and ensure sustainable growth for Brechin.