The expansion project began in 2002 with the purchase of the land for the new quarry. The overall timeframe to gain the necessary amendments and approvals for the project is estimated to take two to three years starting from the time the planning applications are submitted in October 2005.

We appreciate that interested parties would like to know when the major milestones will happen in the planning process. It is hard to predict, because there are so many aspects to the process of applying for a license. In the list below, we have indicated approximate timelines for the various steps involved in gaining approval.

Licensing Process

1. Georgian initiates community liaison and informal public meetings (began in December 2002 and ongoing).

2. Preparation of impact studies and preliminary site plan (completed in fall 2005).

3. Analysis and recommendations of impact studies are required for the completion of the Planning and Land Use Report (also known as the Summary Statement) and the proposed quarry site plan. These reports document any mitigation requirements (submitted in October 2005).

4. Submission of applications to amend the Niagara Escarpment Plan and Township of Clearview Official Plan (application submitted in May 2005; technical reports submitted in October 2005).

5. Review of applications by authorities involved (expected to be 2006-07).

6. Georgian submits an Aggregate Resources Act license application to the Ministry of Natural Resources (submitted in July 2006).

7. Formal public meeting for Township Official Plan application (expected to be late 2006).

8. Aggregates Resources Act public information meeting is held (October 25, 2006).

9. Clearview Township makes decision on Official Plan amendment and makes recommendation to Niagara Escarpment Commission on its amendment application (possibly by late 2006/early 2007).

10.Simcoe County , as the approval authority, approves or denies the township Official Plan amendment (expected to be early 2007).

11.Niagara Escarpment Commission holds meeting to review amendment recommendation from township and the county, and makes decision on the Niagara Escarpment Plan amendment and on the issuing of a development permit (possibly by early to mid 2007).

12. Finalization of Aggregate Resources Act site plans and Ministry of Natural Resources makes recommendation on license subject to other approvals noted above (expected to be 2007).

13. If all applications are approved, applications for a Permit toTake Water and for a Certificate of Approval for Discharge are made to the Ministry of the Environment and fill permits may be required from the relevant conservation authorities (expected to be 2007).

14. Quarry operations begin once all approvals are in place (expected to be early 2008).

Impact Studies

A key part of the process is determining what impact the new quarry's operations might have on the property and surrounding area. A variety of studies are undertaken to identify any impacts and how they could be mitigated.

The results of the studies will be reported on at project committee meetings, at open houses (dates to be determined) and in the Stepping Stones newsletter.

Water resources - This study includes groundwater studies and the interaction of groundwater with surface water features (creeks, ponds and springs). It also documents the location of, and potential impact on, residential water wells. This study has been completed and recommendations from the study will be implemented for the life span of the quarry.

Geology - This study includes testing bedrock for quantity and quality to justify creation of the quarry. The study is complete, and results indicate the limestone is both good quality and of sufficient quantity to merit quarrying operations.

Natural environment -This study is complete and spanned all seasons. It began in spring 2003 and continued until the fall of 2005. It includes a thorough review of all flora, fauna and habitat.

Agricultural impact analysis -This study is complete and examined the agricultural capability of the site to determine what farming use might be made of the land were it not developed as a quarry. It also assessed the impact of quarrying on adjacent agricultural operations. The investigation included a soil survey and land use survey to determine any potential for conflict between the proposed development and any surrounding livestock operations.

Noise - This study is complete and focused on the operational noise involved with the quarry, including noise from trucks, crushers, conveyors and other activities. The study began in spring 2003 and was completed in fall 2005. The study assessed the noise impact and made recommendations as to appropriate locations for extraction and processing.

Blasting - This study looked at noise and vibration arising from the blasting. The study assessed the impact of blasting and made recommendations about the location of extraction and size of the blast. The study was completed in fall 2005.

Archeology -This study assessed the site in terms of its archeological potential. The area's soil is disturbed and testing is done to see if any archeological artifacts are present. This study was completed in fall 2005.

Cultural heritage - This study investigated any ‘built heritage resources,’ such as historically significant buildings.  This study is complete and was submitted in fall 2005.

Traffic - Completed in 2005, this study looked at traffic counts during the summer months (peak season for quarry operations). The study also included an analysis of safety issues, operational issues, road conditions and site access, and identified the necessary infrastructure needed to accommodate quarry operations. For instance, Georgian is proposing the creation of a tunnel under County Road 91 to allow for material from the proposed new quarry to be easily transported to the processing plant located in the existing quarry.

Visual impact analysis - This study began in spring 2003, continued throughout four seasons, and was completed in fall 2005. Visual impact is assessed on a 'drive-by' basis, e.g. what someone can see while traveling by road past the site, as well as what neighbours can see from their specific properties.

Planning/land use study (Summary Statement) -This study looked at the overall land use impact and undertook a policy analysis to determine the appropriateness of the expansion proposal, taking into account the results of the impact studies. This study was completed in fall 2005.

These studies have been completed and each makes recommendations on how potential impacts of the new quarry can be addressed. These studies are currently being reviewed by staff at the Township of Clearview , their peer review consultants, the County of Simcoe , the Niagara Escarpment Commission, the Ministry of Natural Resources and other commenting community agencies.