Melancthon Quarry

Environmental Assessment
Terms of Reference

Prepare by:
Kseniia Khudorozhkova
&
Ping Lin

October 23, 2014

Table of Contents
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Background ......................................................................................................................... 3
1.2 Melancthon Quarry is subjected to Environmental Assessment ......................................... 3
1.3 The key stakeholders in the project ..................................................................................... 4
1.4 The three major issues should be included in the Environmental Assessment.................... 4
2. Identification of the proponent..................................................................................................... 5
3. Indication of how the EA will be prepared .................................................................................... 5
4. Purpose of the study or undertaking ............................................................................................ 6
5. Rationale for the undertaking ....................................................................................................... 6
6. Description of and rationale for alternatives ................................................................................ 6
7. Description of existing environment and potential effects of the undertaking ............................ 7
7.1 Description of the environment .......................................................................................... 7
7.2 potential effects of the undertaking ..................................................................................... 7
8. Assessment and evaluation ........................................................................................................... 7
8.1 Evaluation the effects on the natural environment .............................................................. 7
8.2 Evaluation the effects on social and economic ................................................................... 8
9. Commitments and monitoring ...................................................................................................... 8
10. Consultation plan for the environmental assessment ................................................................ 9
11. Flexibility to accommodate new circumstances.......................................................................... 9
Appendix A: Proposed Evaluation Criteria ...................................................................................... 10
Appendix B: Map of the project...................................................................................................... 11
Appendix C: Sketch of Property ..................................................................................................... 12
Appendix D: Aquifer Vulnerability Map of Township of Melancthon ........................................... 13
References ....................................................................................................................................... 14

1. Introduction
The Highland Companies, a Nova Scotia-enrolled landholder and substantial
scale potato cultivator upheld by a Boston fence investments called the Baupost
Group, want to dig the quarry on 930 hectares of farmland in Melancthon Township
in the Hills of Headwaters, placed 115 kilometers northwest of Toronto. The
Highlands organization began purchasing farmland in Melanchthon a few years back
saying they needed to turn into the territory's biggest potato developing operation,
which boded well for nearby agriculturists as the region is well known for its
especially excellent soil and micro-atmosphere. Around one quarter of the all the
potatoes consumed in the Greater Toronto Area originate from that point. The
organization now possesses around 8000 acres of land of area and has sought
authorization to mine approximately 2400 acres of land (the Quarry will sprawl over
2,316 acres of land and will plunged 200 feet underneath the water table on a 15,000
acres of land level of Class 1 farmland).
1.1 Background
The Highland Companies, wrote an application with the province for the quarry.
The organization recorded more than 20 reports from advisors, totaling 3,100 pages,
in which it explain a complex plan to dig up to 1 billion tons of stone about 60 meters
underneath the surface.
Since the proposed quarry is underneath the water table, the arrangement
includes gathering the water that would leak into the pits amid the mining process and
re-infusing or pumping it into the aquifer.
It proposes to mine the limestone over 50 to 100 years, diving in 300 acre of land
(121-hectare) sections. When an area had been mined, it would be restored by the relaying of soil on the quarry floor, subsequently furnishing a proportional payback to
cultivating. Water, then again, would keep on being pumped out, as it leaked into the
pit up to a most extreme of 600 million liters for every day (Werring, 2011).
As it states in the project description Quarry will generate nearly $0.8 million of
new taxes and fees in Melancthon, 465 jobs, hire locally rst policy and $139 million
of quarry related spending. Strong economic development will provide a foundation
for a strong community, with services and amenities. The site is designed to minimize
noise and dust by using enclosed buildings, berms and landscaping.
At 937 hectares, the quarry will cover around 15 percent of the region's prime
agrarian area and could disturb the headwaters of five significant streams, including
the Nottawasaga and the Grand (The Highland Companies, 2012).
1.2 Melancthon Quarry is subjected to Environmental Assessment
The monstrous open-pit limestone quarry will put uncommon agrarian soil and
valuable water assets at danger in Melancthon Township.
The Nottawasaga River, the Grand River and the Pine River systems will go
through the mine's 600 million liter dewatering pumps every day. Gigantic measures
of contaminated explosives will be utilized to crush the limestone and several dump
trucks for every hour will enter and leave the site, day in and day out (Scherzer,
2011).
All of this helps to make a conclusion that the quarry will have an effect on the
ground water supply, flora and fauna, rural area and the life of residents who lives in
Melancthon Township. The quarry's potential effect on fish territory in the Grand,
Saugeen, Nottawasaga, Pine and Beaver Rivers, should be examined. Therefore, this
project should be subjected to environmental assessment.

1.3 The key stakeholders in the project

There are many stakeholders in the Melancthon Quarry project. The key
stakeholders representing the agricultural, environmental and aggregate sectors.
The Dufferin Federation of Agriculture
The Dufferin Federation of Agriculture (DFA) rejects to the proposed Melancthon
Quarry. They want to protect the valuable resource in Melancthon Township. The
climate and soil allow Melancthon Quarry to grow unique potatoes in Ontario. If the
land turn to be a quarry the prime agricultural land will not be rehabilitated. The DFA
wants a cost- benefit analysis to compare the short term and long term benefits.
The Highland Companies
The highland companies is the proponent of Melancthon Quarry. They feel that
they have a comprehensive plan to start Melancthon Quarry, and they will take care of
their responsibilities. And they state they will rehabilitate the land to agriculture.
Ontario Good Roads Association
Ontario Good Roads Association is made up of 450 municipalities in Ontario.
They focused on the impacts of the project on municipal infrastructure. They ask to
revamp the existing aggregate royalty program so the municipalities can sustain the
assets affected by aggregate extraction and transportation.
Ontario Stone, Sand and Gravel Association
Ontario Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (OSSGA) is a non-profit industry
association that represent more than 250 sand, gravel, and crushed stone producer and
suppliers. Because of OSSGA has diversity membership (The highland companies is a
member of OSSGA). The OSSGA doesnt have active position on the project. The
OSSGA doesnt take active position on license application. And they do advocate on
many other leading issues. Such as recycling and transportation.
David Suzuki Foundation
The David Suzuki Foundation (DSF) analyzed the reports from highland
companies application and summarized into waterways and wildlife two specific areas.
DSF asks for a full Environmental Assessment project to analysis the potential
environmental impacts of Melancthon Quarry.
Conservation Authorities
Conservation Authorities manage the local land use and environmental permitting.
The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) objected to the proposed the
quarry because the quarry has many potential impacts. Such as impacts to surface and
ground water, wetland, terrestrial natural features, cold water fishery and erosion and
flooding.
North Dufferin Agriculture and Community Task Force
The North Dufferin Agriculture and Community Task Force (NDACT) is an
opponent to the proposed quarry in the Township of Melancthon. NDACT is made of
local landowners, farmers, community members and concerned citizens. Their mission
is to raise up the awareness around this quarry. The held an event gather more 20000
people to oppose the quarry (Dana Bell, 2012).
1.4 The three major issues should be included in the Environmental
Assessment
If you stay in the opponent of the proposed quarry you will find too many negative
impacts of the quarry project. The quarry activities would threaten local drinking water,
farm land and vital river and forest habitat. The following are the three major issues
need to be included in the Environmental Assessment.
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1 environmental impacts
The quarry will produce a lot of dust and particulates during the extraction
process. These dust and particulates have serious impact on human health. The
small particle may cumulate in humans lungs and cause lung disease. According
to the research report, it says the total suspended particulates (TSP) are shown to
be as 4 times higher than average rate within 1 km of the quarry. The quarry
processing noise also has serious impact to the local environment and living beings.
Its obviously the quarry has impacts on surface and ground water. Both on
quantity and quality. The quarry will destroy the natural aggregate act which is
reservoirs for groundwater. The quarry will change ground water storage and flow.
And according to DSF report, the proposed Highland quarry expects to withdraw
600 million liters water from each site every day, and they plan to blast 1 billion
tons rock from the ground which will distrust and destroy fish, wildlife habitat and
it will have serious impact on groundwater and watershed. According to Canada's
Fisheries Act, the proposed quarry project is a federal offence (Orangeville Banner,
2011).
2 farmland loss
The highland companies began purchasing farms in the township of
Melancthon in 2004. And the highland companies has purchased about 3400
hectares of prime agricultural land and including two of the regions largest potato
farms. These lands are excellent for agriculture, especially potatoes. In 2011, the
highland companies applied for a license to extract aggregate from the site. The
highland companies convert 937.1 hectares of potato farming land to an aggregate
operation extraction site. The proposed quarry operation will last 50-100 years. The
highland companies proposal to rehabilitate some quarry back into agricultural land,
but the land will be below the water table, a plenty water need to be pumped into
the rehabilitate site.
According to the melancthonquarry.ca, the Highland Companies states that
544 hectares of the 937 hectares quarry land will be rehabilitated back to
agricultural use. Which means only 58% of the farmland can be rehabilitated, and
the quarry project will cause 42% farmland loss on this site. The highland
companies turn 393 hectares farmland into a quarry site.
3 Traffic impacts
As the quarry processing, the traffic around the quarry will increase. Estimate
by Highland Companies, there are about 300 trucks per hour will transport
aggregates from the site. And the main road connect the site to other place is 124
provincial high way. The high way may face traffic problem when the quarry
processing or extent. But some studies show the similar transportation of
aggregates in Ontario wont have significant impact on traffic and the road wont
be sacrificed (Dana Bell, 2012).
2. Identification of the proponent
The Highland Companies is the proponent of Melancthon Quarry. The lieutenant
Governor in Council decided to make the proposed quarry in Melancthon Township
subject to the EAA. As a result Highland Companies will be required to undertake a
full EA in September 2011.
3. Indication of how the EA will be prepared
The Environmental Assessment is to identify, assess and document potential
environmental impacts and provide strategies to avoid negative environmental
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impacts. In EAA the environmental assessment has a very wide scope include air,
land or water, plant and animal life, human life, and the social, economic and culture.
Undertaking an EA is very different from apply for a permit. The EAA requires that
project proponents shall consult with interested persons during prepare their terms
of reference and an EA. The public participation opportunities are identified below
in the steps of the environmental assessment.
Proponent prepares a terms of reference (consultation required);
Proponent submits a terms of reference;
Ministry coordinates public and the government comments on the
terms of reference (12weeks);
Ministry approves terms of reference;
Proponent prepares an EA (consultation required);
Proponent submits an EA;
Ministry coordinates public, aboriginal communities and the
government comments on EA (7 weeks);
Ministry prepares the ministry review (5 weeks);
Public inspection of ministry review (5 weeks);
Ministers decision (13weeks) (Ministry of the Environment, 2014).
4. Purpose of the study or undertaking
The environmental assessment is to identify the negative environmental
impacts on natural environment and social environment. And providing reasonable
plans or decision makings to deal with the negative impacts. The Melancthon quarry
project use a lot of agricultural land and plans to excavate more than 1 billion tons
rock from the area and pumps 600 million liters water from the site. These actions
have aroused public attention and many people reject this project. So the EA process
become very necessary for the Highland Companies to come up with a better
strategy to operating the quarry.
5. Rationale for the undertaking
The rationale for the undertaking is Environmental Assessment Act. And the
ministry of the Environment has prepared various guidance documents related to the
environmental assessment process. The proponent only need to follow the guidance and
can prepare their EA documents.
6. Description of and rationale for alternatives
If the Highland Companies believes that the project will not have a negative impact
on the environment, including water, dust, noise, and habitat of living beings, they
should prove it. If the Highland Companies cant prove it. They may just state the
project has many long term benefits. Then the measures to avoid negative
environmental impact are necessary. The alternative strategies not only have benefits to
the Melancthon Quarry but to preserve agricultural land in Ontario.
Advocate to protect the agricultural land. The Highland Companies should use the
land as agricultural farmland.
Advocate the rehabilitation plans. As Highland Companies promised, only 58%
land will be rehabilitated. That means a lot of agricultural land still turn to be a quarry
or waste.
Increasing the investment on land rehabilitation, and creating a good public
relation by highlight the potential impacts of quarry on agricultural land.

7. Description of existing environment and potential effects of the undertaking

7.1 Description of the environment
Population of Melancthon Township in 2011 is 2,839, who lives in 1,100
private dwellings. Population density per square kilometer 9.1. The vast majority of
population speaks English. The most popular occupation is "trades; transport
operator and related occupations" and "sale and service occupation" in
manufacturing and business or other services. 61% of the population does not have
a postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree (City-Data.com, 2014).
According to Cultural Heritage Assessment Report the Melancthon Township
was the only inhabited area of Grey County in 1833. There are no protected
properties as outlined in the table in Section 19, O.Reg.359/09 located within or
adjacent to the Study Area (Stantec Consulting Ltd, 2013).
Melancthon Township is the place where you can find soil called Honey wood
silt loam, a Class 1 soil that well known for its high properties. This rich soil appears
there because of Amabel limestone.
Melancthon Township located in the north-west of Dufferin County that has
fertile land that produce the best potatoes in Ontario. The soil here is lush and has
properties sought after by farmers.
Underneath the area lies an aquifer that structures the headwaters of five
significant river systems in southern Ontario that are critical drinking water hotspots
for more than a million individuals downstream. As it can be observed from
"Schedule E" of Aquifer vulnerability official plan for Melancthon Township the
area of the project will affect highly vulnerable horizons.
This area provides habitat for bullfrogs, muskrat, raccoon, beaver, white-tailed
deer, and colonial water birds. It is also a place for mountain fly honeysuckle
(Lonicera villosa) growth. Dundalk till plain after glacial period remain on
Melancthon (the County of Dufferin, 2014).
7.2 potential effects of the undertaking
There are many environmental impacts in this project.
In the air aspect the processing dust make the quarry TSP higher than
other places.
The extraction machines and trucks noise effect human health and
wildlife.
And the soil expose to the air cause water and soil erosion.
After the rock is extracted the water table will become lower which
destroy the groundwater flows.
After the 50 ~100 years later the project finish, the land may no longer
suitable for agriculture. Even though they have rehabilitation plans.
If the highland companies rezoning and aggregate license were to be
approved, could have significant negative impacts on fish habitats, wells and
water resources in Mulmur.
Blasting need to be controlled
8. Assessment and evaluation
8.1 Evaluation the effects on the natural environment
The blast, extract, products delivery, and ground water pumps activities may cause
environmental impacts. And the proposed undertaking potentially has significant
negative effects on wildlife, fisheries resources, natural environment condition, and
human health.
Evaluate the negative effects can through some simple steps.
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 Setting the proposed evaluation methodology and criteria. The

methodology and criteria will be reviewed in consultation with the public and
government review agencies. E.g. we limited the TSP concentration to no more
than 1.5 times normal level, control the noise level to below 55 dB, and pump all
the underground water back to underground.
After every activity has methodology and criteria, we will hire employee
to inspect and collect the data from the quarry operations.
Compare the collection data with the criteria to identify the potential
effects and insufficient.
After identify the potential effects and insufficient, some improvement
measures should be provide to modify the processing system.
Publish the collection data and the modifications on social media for
public review.
8.2 Evaluation the effects on social and economic
The evaluation of social and economic impacts should base the employment
opportunities the Highland Companies provide and the revenue the company create.
The Highland Companies has created 465 jobs, $0.8 million tax and $139 million
quarry related spending. The social and economic effects will base on these data and
its easy to monitor the development (MacViro Consultants Inc. , 2004).
9. Commitments and monitoring
Natural Environment
There is no signicant natural heritage features on site
Protect natural features within 500 meter radius of site
Water management system has some impacts on natural features or
functions on adjacent lands
Restoration plan will improves natural systems and features.
Water Operations
Water is used to wash aggregate and to reduce dust
no chemicals are used in process operations
Wash water is reused
Wash water goes into the ground
Water-Maintaining Dry Conditions
The quarry must manage water to maintain dry working conditions;
Water is collected at the bottom, pumped to the surface and discharged;
Water will go through recycle system back to the ground
Water-Discharge
Using groundwater recharge well system
Eliminates draw down eect
No change in water quality
Larger volume of water handled
Traffic Control
Adjust the truck volume;
control the truck numbers enter into County Road 124
Build truck yards to prevent congestion and noise
Agreement required with Duerin County for any necessary road improvements
Blasting control
Undertake the ministry of Environment guidelines
Limit the blasting hour from 10 am to 4 pm, no weekend, and no holidays;
Each blast is monitored at least 5 locations;
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Noise and dust control

Redesign the buildings, berms and landscaping to minimize noise and dust.
Restoration Plan
restoration the extracted site to farmland
Over 85% of High Companies land will be farmland.
Minimize active extraction
Reduce the active extraction site to 100 meters long (Scherzer, 2011).
Monitoring
An Environmental Assessment Monitoring Plan will be developed as part of the
EA. The purpose of the Plan will be to provide for regular post-EA approval monitoring
of Implementation of content of EA Approval and obligations made during conduct of
the EA.
10. Consultation plan for the environmental assessment
Public open houses held in 2014 and 2016
All Melancthon Township council meetings attended (over 200)
Mail-drops (updates, DVD, notices)
Open letters and ads in local newspapers
Detailed consultation with First Nations
Website and social media
HighlandCompanies.ca (main site)
MelancthonQuarry.ca (micro site)
Twitter
Well monitoring program for neighbors (Scherzer, 2011).
11. Flexibility to accommodate new circumstances
In accordance with the Minister of the Environment, terms of reference work as a
guide to create the EA Report. This document does not provide a description for each
subtle element of any action that will happen when setting up the EA. Therefore it is
possible that there will be a need for specific modifications. The described activities is
a minimum plan and it can be extended if needed.

Appendix A: Proposed Evaluation Criteria

Environmental Category

Natural Environment

Economic / Financial

Social / Cultural

Legal

Proposed Evaluation Criteria

Reduce environmental burden

during the quarry processing
Saving consumption / preservation
of non-renewable
Environmental resources
Reduce potential for destruction or
disruption of sensitive wildlife
and/or aquatic habitats at quarry site.
Potential to increase rehabilitation
rate
Reduce environmental
accident records
Net system costs per ton of products
managed including facility(s) costs,
operation cost, etc.
Sensitivity of system costs and
affordability to external financial
influences.
Potential for land use conflicts from
siting of facilities required for
alternative.
Legal / all the activities compliance
the regulations.

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Appendix B: Map of the project

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Appendix C: Sketch of Property

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Appendix D: Aquifer Vulnerability Map of Township of Melancthon

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References
City-Data.com. (2014, Oct 21). Melancthon - Township, Ontario, Canada. Retrieved from CityData.com: http://www.city-data.com/canada/Melancthon-Town.html#ixzz3Gum30NiR
Dana Bell, J. I. (2012, Apr). Assessing the Impact the of Melancthon Quarry Prepared for the
Ontario Federation of Agriculture. Retrieved from Resource Website for Dr. Wayne
Caldwell:
http://www.waynecaldwell.ca/Students/Projects/OFA%20-%20Melancthon%20Quarry%
20-%20Group%20Paper.pdf
MacViro Consultants Inc. . (2004, Aug 20). Proposed Environmental Assessment Terms of
Reference. Retrieved from hamilton.ca:
http://www.hamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/0EF42C70-2700-4E6E-94EF2FBD101FFC87/0/ProposedEAToR082004.pdf
Ministry of the Environment. (2014, Jan). Preparing and Reviewing Terms of Reference for
Environmental Assessment in Ontario. Retrieved from Ontario.ca:
https://dr6j45jk9xcmk.cloudfront.net/documents/1805/3-8a-9-ea-terms-of-referenceen.pdf
Orangeville Banner. (2011, Jun 08). Environmental assessment not warranted: Highland.
Retrieved from orangeville.com: http://www.orangeville.com/news-story/1478004environmental-assessment-not-warranted-highland/
Scherzer, R. (2011, Apr 26). Corportation of County of Grey Planning and Development
Department. Retrieved from Melancthon Mega Quarry:
http://66.212.167.146/MelancthonMegaQuarry/pdfs%5CGreyCounty_26-April-2011.pdf
Stantec Consulting Ltd. (2013, Jun 14). Cultural Heritage Assessment Report. Retrieved from
Zeromissionpeople.com: http://zeroemissionpeople.com/wpcontent/uploads/projects/skyway/08II%20-%20Skyway%20126%20Wind%20Energy%20
Project%20-%20Design%20and%20Operations%20Report%20App%20II%20body.pdf
the County of Dufferin. (2014, Oct 20). Twenty Year Plan. Retrieved from Dufferin County
Museum & Archive: http://www.dufferinmuseum.com/forest/img/twentyyearplan.pdf
The Highland Companies. (2012, Feb 2). Presentation to Melancthon Township Council. Retrieved
from Township of Melancthon:
http://melancthontownship.ca/12highlandcompanies/presentation.feb2.pdf
Werring, J. (2011, Sep 1). Melancthon Mega Quarry Mysteries. Retrieved from David Suzuki
Foundation: http://www.davidsuzuki.org/blogs/panther-lounge/2011/09/moremelancthon-mega-quarry-mysteries/

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