Quarry proponent, opponent announce inking of historic community engagement

North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Taskforce (NDACT) and Strada Aggregates have signed a first-of-a-kind agreement in Canada governing the relationship between a community advocacy organization and an aggregate producer seeking a quarry license.

The agreement gives NDACT unprecedented input and decision-making into Strada’s quarry application prior to being submitted. As part of the agreement, NDACT will not oppose the application until and unless the science shows the quarry could harm the environment.

“Normally a community finds out about aggregate development plans once an application is submitted, often resulting in years of conflict and strife between the parties,” said Karren Wallace, Chair of NDACT. “This is a new approach in that the community and the aggregate company worked together pre-application designing the manner in which they will engage throughout the lifecycle of the aggregate project.”

The agreement includes six protocols designed to ensure collaboration and cooperation between the two parties and the local municipality throughout all phases of the property development. The six major subject areas include communication, peer reviews, wells and natural resources, recreation fund, land assumption and licence assumption.

“Both Strada and NDACT recognized the potential conflict inherent in siting a quarry in Ontario,” said Mario Pietrolungo, VP of Strada. “This agreement seeks to overcome that by agreeing to proceed together based on the shared principles of openness, transparency and science-based decision-making.”

“The Township of Melancthon looks forward to working with both parties in a collaborative fashion moving forward,” said Melancthon Mayor Darren White.

Copies of the agreement are available at www. ndact.ca and www.stradaquarry.com.