News Pits & Quarries
Oro-Medonte places moratorium on new aggregate pit approvals

One Ontario resident – Doug Varty – wrote a letter of thanks to municipal councillors for putting the brakes on a proposed quarry:

“So, thank you, Oro-Medonte council, for listening and for passing this moratorium — asking the province to put the brakes on new aggregate pit approvals until further studies and analysis can be done… so it is well worth the time to better understand the need, the impacts and move forward based on need and in the most sustainable and environmentally friendly way as possible.”

It began at an April 27 council meeting, when councillor Shawn Scott made a presentation and a motion in favour of a moratorium – a motion that was unanimously passed by the Oro-Medonte council.

There are currently 22 pits/quarries in the township occupying nearly 2,800 acres of land, largely located on the Oro Moraine – with more land in the township’s Official Plan designated for potential expansion.

The moraine is seen by environmentalists as host to a unique concentration of geological and hydrological features.

(Orillia Matters)