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Policy Id:

SPR/SPA:

Risk:

PATH-3-NLB

Mississippi Valley, Rideau Valley

Non-specific

Implementing Body

Legal Effect

Policy Tool

Threat Type

Status

Comment

MNRF

Strategic

Specify Actions to be taken to implement plan or achieve its objectives

Future & Existing

Implemented

To ensure decisions made on Prescribed Instrument applications conform with significant drinking water threats policies all new aggregate licence and permit applications submitted to MNRF must be circulated to the Upper and Lower Tier Municipality for review and comment. In addition, all new licence applications must be circulated to the local Conservation Authority for review and comment. All new aggregate licences and permits issued since 1997 contain conditions prescribed in regulation that requires that fuel storage tanks are installed and maintained in accordance with the Technical Standards and Safety Act and must ensure that a spill contingency plan is developed prior to any operation of the pit or quarry and followed during the operations. All new aggregate licences and permits must also identify the location of existing and proposed fuel storage areas on the site plan. In addition, the site plans also identify the elevation of the water table and regulate extraction depths. All new aggregate licence and permit applications must submit a Maximum Predicted Water Table Report that details how the maximum predicted water table is identified in metres above sea level, relative to the proposed depth of excavation at the site. All new applications that propose to extract below the water table must complete a Water Report in accordance with the Aggregate Resources of Ontario: Technical Report and Information Standards: Water Report Level 1: A level 1 Water Report is required to determine the potential for impacts to ground water and surface water resources and their uses (e.g. water wells, ground water aquifers, surface water courses and bodies, springs, discharge areas) and identify if the proposed site is in a Wellhead Protection Area for Quantity (WHPA-Q) set out in an applicable source water protection plan under the Clean Water Act. The report must identify applicable source water protection policies and mitigation measures that will be implemented at the site. Water Report Level 2: Where the results of a Level 1 Water Report have identified a potential for impacts from the aggregate site on ground water and/or surface water resources and their uses, an impact assessment is required. The assessment is to determine the significance of the effect and the potential for mitigation. Monitoring programs or mitigation measures identified in the technical reports are written into the site plan to ensure their implementation and enforceability. A new licence or permit application in which a Level 2 Water Report was completed must be circulated to the MECP. Summary Statement: All applicants for a new Aggregate Licence or Permit must include in a Summary Statement if the proposed site is in a source protection area under the Clean Water Act and identify activities proposed at the site that are drinking water threats set out in applicable source protection plans, and provide details of how relevant source water protection policies will be followed and associated mitigation measures that will be implemented. Requirements to support an amendment to an existing aggregate licence or permit to lower the depth of extraction in an area of the operation that does not allow extraction below the water table include: Source Water Considerations: If the site is in a source protection area under the Clean Water Act, the request must identify activities proposed at the site that are drinking water threats set out in applicable source protection plans, and provide details of how relevant source water protection policies will be followed and associated mitigation measures that will be implemented.

Policy Text:

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources is strongly encouraged to implement measures to ensure that new pits and quarries located within Wellhead Protection Areas do not endanger the raw water supply of a municipal drinking water system. Measures may include requiring proponents to conduct an assessment of potential impacts and if necessary develop plans to mitigate impacts and/or circulating proposals to the Ministry of the Environment or other agencies for review. Action to implement this policy should be initiated within one year from the date the Source Protection Plan takes effect.

Monitoring Text:

MON-10-NLB Pits and Quarries in Wellhead Protection Areas
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources is requested to provide a response to the Source Protection Authority recommendation to implement measures to ensure that new pits and quarries located within Wellhead Protection Areas do not endanger the raw water supply of a municipal drinking water system.