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A proposed expansion of the McKinnon pit in Lanark Highlands is drawing concerns from residents over plans to extract aggregate below the water table.
Lanark County held a public meeting September 23rd on an official plan amendment that would redesignate 5.8 hectares of land on Highland Line for aggregate extraction.
The expansion would be part of a larger operation seeking provincial approval to extract below the water table. The proposed licence would increase annual extraction from 150,000 tonnes to 250,000 tonnes.
Planning Manager Mike Dwyer said the application includes hydrogeological studies and that discussions with the Ministry of Natural Resources are continuing.
Four residents spoke at the meeting, with groundwater among the main concerns.
Tim Wheeler wanted to know whether the county would formally review the proposal itself and go on record with any concerns they had before the province makes the final decision.
The county said Dywer didn’t, “need to respond,” to his question, but he “can respond to it at the next stage (in the process).”
Deborah Duffy, who lives about 3.5 kilometres from the proposed expansion, said she was concerned about potential effects on water supplies for nearby residents.
The meeting was part of the planning review and did not decide whether the provincial aggregate licence will be granted.
County staff are expected to bring a review and recommendation report forward in October.
