The Township of the North Shore approved a resolution this week calling for a temporary pause on all new gravel mining approvals in Ontario.
Mayor Tony Moor brought the resolution to the Township council Wednesday because of concerns about gravel mining in Ontario.
A local group, North Shore Environmental Resource Advocates Inc. (NSERA), has been working for years to challenge a proposed quarry development within the Township of the North Shore.
Located on crown land within Robinson-Huron Treaty Territory, NSERA says the site in question is pristine habitat, and home to five known species at risk.
The wetlands in and around the quarry boundary are aquatic feeding area for moose, and their waters flow into surrounding waterways, including Lake Lauzon, the Serpent River watershed and Lake Huron.
The group believes the environmental impacts of the quarry development will be life-changing and long lasting for flora and fauna and people alike.
At this time, local residents are waiting for a decision from the Ontario Land Tribunal to determine if there's an opportunity to challenge the former township council’s rezoning which allowed for mineral extraction at the proposed quarry site.
The Reform Gravel Mining Coalition (RGMC) started the Demand A Moratorium Now campaign as a response to a number of communities in Ontario being concerned about gravel mining.
Graham Flint, co-chair of the RGMC said, "Congratulations to North Shore for adding their voice to communities across Ontario who are calling on the province to pause new gravel mine approvals until reforms can be implemented.
"For far too long the gravel mining industry has enjoyed preferential treatment that puts communities and the natural environment at risk," he added.
Flint went on to say the fact that there's a provincial policy in Ontario which prevents discussion if a new mine is needed is "absurd."
The Town of Halton Hills in Halton Region was the first to pass a resolution supporting a moratorium on new gravel mining approvals on Feb. 7, and to date at least seven more communities have followed their lead.
Click here for more information on the Coalition and the DAMN! Campaign