Aggregate resources include naturally occurring deposits of sand, gravel, clay, earth, and bedrock. These natural resources are needed to build roads, houses, bridges, schools, and hospitals.

The Township of Adjala-Tosorontio contains a number of active aggregate Licences, and known deposits of sand and gravel resources.

Provincial & County Policy

The Provincial Policy Statement and the County of Simcoe Official Plan Policies provide direction on specific issues. The Township Official Plan policies must conform to the PPS and County Official Plan, which set out the following policies:

Protection & Identification

Provincial Policy requires that Mineral Aggregate Resources be identified and protected for long-term use.

As much of the mineral aggregate resources as is realistically possible shall be made available as close to market as possible.

The mapping of existing aggregate operations, as well as known deposits of aggregate materials, ensures that the resource supply is protected from incompatible land uses over the long-term.

Minimizing & Mitigating Impacts

Extraction shall be undertaken in a manner that minimizes social, economic, and environmental impacts.

Rehabilitation

Aggregate extraction is recognized as an interim land-use. Progressive and Final Rehabilitation is required to return the land to a subsequent land-use.

Rehabilitation should take surrounding land uses into consideration to promote land use compatibility.

Extraction in Prime Agricultural Areas

Aggregate extraction is permitted as an interim use in prime agricultural areas and the site must be rehabilitated back to an agricultural use. Agricultural rehabilitation is not required if there is a substantial quantity of aggregate material available below the water table.

Existing Policy & Legislation

• Provincial Policy Statement 2014
• County of Simcoe Official Plan Policies
• Aggregate Resources Act

Current Township Policies

The previous Official Plan review process did not include a formal assessment of aggregate resources. New Official Plan polices are needed to guide aggregate resource planning and managing, at the local level.

Section 4.8 of the Current Official Plan contains policies for Protected Aggregate Resources. Current Official Plan policies require:

• A formal review of aggregate resources to be undertaken at a later date
• Areas of Aggregate Potential to be included as a Schedule to the Official Plan
• Protected Aggregate Resources included as a Land Use designation
• An Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment is required for new licences or expansions to existing licences
• Rehabilitation must be completed to the satisfaction of the Township and Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
• Grouping of aggregate operations is encouraged
• Development Agreements with the Township are required

New and revised Official Plan policies will aim to balance the increasing demand for aggregate resources, while minimizing potential impacts to surrounding communities and the environment.

Your ideas and vision are important!

What changes would you like to see?

• Do you think that the existing Aggregate Resources policies are sufficient?
• Should an Official Plan Amendment be required for all new and expanding aggregate operations?
• What studies should be required for an application for a new aggregate operation?
• Where should aggregate operations be encouraged? Where should they be restricted?
• What roads should be used to transport aggregate material?
• Please provide any other comments you may have for consideration in the development of new policies.