Halton Regional Council Approves Revised Process for Reviewing Quarry Expansion Applications
During last week's Halton Regional Council meeting (Feb. 12), council approved a revised process for reviewing any application to expand quarry operations.The new Mineral Aggregate Review Protocol will be required of the proposed Nelson quarry expansion, once applications are received. The City of Burlington has not received a formal application yet.This protocol establishes a Joint Agency Review Team (JART) to facilitate information and expertise sharing among multiple review agencies who are typically involved in aggregate applications, including Conservation Authorities, city and regional councils, and the Niagara Escarpment Commission.The update to the protocol reflects lessons learned through previous mineral aggregate applications and incorporates other changes related to changes to the land-use planning framework in Ontario and in Halton. This new protocol will be applicable to all future quarry applications.The concept of a JART was first established through the approval by Regional Council of the “Halton Consolidated – Streamlined Mineral Aggregate Review Protocol,” on Jan, 31, 2001. Updates were made to the Protocol in 2004 and 2007.The purpose of the Protocol is to:
- facilitate information and expertise sharing among review agencies;
- work with the applicant to understand technical submissions and obtain more information where necessary;
- engage and inform the public more effectively; and
- improve decision-making and efficiency associated with the processing of aggregate applications.
To view the updated JART Protocol, please click this link: Attachment #1 to LPS11-20 - Proposed (JART Protocol).pdf.The full Halton Region staff report is also available online via this link: LPS11-20 Halton Consolidated Streamlined Mineral Aggregate Review Protocol 2020 Update.— Mayor Marianne Meed WardRELATED LINKS:
- Halton Regional Council Update: Nelson Quarry’s Plans to Expand Operations
- Nelson Quarry Plans to Expand Operations
--*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor's Media and Digital Communications Specialist