A James Dick Construction official says his company expects property values to increase in the vicinity of its proposed quarry east of Rockwood.
Vice president Greg Sweetnam, who called the proposed pit at the northeast corner of 6th Line and Highway 7 “a relatively small operation,” added his company’s goal is always to leave properties in a better condition than it found them.
“We’re always a good neighbour … We’re here to help,” Sweetnam told Guelph-Eramosa council on March 18.
He said he wanted to introduce himself to township officials and address a few possible concerns about the proposal he has heard through the media.
He stressed the proposed quarry, which is located on a 100 acre (39 hectare) property and is expected to annually produce about 700,000 tonnes of sand, gravel and dolostone, will not impact the environment or the quality and quantity of water in the area.
In response to concerns about extraction below the water table, Sweetnam said his company leaves the water table as is and does not pump out large amounts of water like other operators.
Instead, James Dick Construction uses underwater blasting and mining, which Sweetnam noted is quieter than traditional methods.
“We’ve actually honed and perfected it to this environment,” he said of his company’s technique. “It’s our bread and butter.”
In response to questions from councillor John Scott, Sweetnam said “there’s no possibility of rock leaving our property,” and added noise and vibration are carefully monitored to ensure there is no impact on nearby landowners.
He estimated blasting levels at 106 to 110 decibels, which he noted is well below the limit of 128, and said blasting will likely occur once per week, but could be as little as once per month.
Dust at the quarry, primarily from unpaved roads on the site, will be reduced using a water truck, Sweetnam explained. He also said traffic volumes during the busy season should peak at 13 trucks coming in and out per hour (26 total).
He said the haul route will be along 6th Line and east on Highway 7 to the GTA, via Regional Road 25 and the 401.
He added the 6th Line can accommodate the truck traffic, and his company is willing to invest in upgrades to a portion of the road including paving as well as regrading to eliminate a hill near the intersection at Highway 7.
When pressed again on the impact the quarry could have on local property values, Sweetnam reiterated he expects values to increase over the 20-year life of the pit.
“We will put our money where our mouth is,” he said, explaining the company would be willing to purchase properties whose owners say they can’t sell – or receive fair market value – due to any perceived impact from the quarry operation.
Sweetnam noted the quarry may be small, but it should produce “the highest quality of rock in Ontario … This is the stuff we build our CN Towers out of.”
Mayor Chris White said the company should be willing to upgrade all of the 6th Line – not just the portion near the quarry – because “there will be an impact” on all residents living on the road. White noted the company should be prepared to answer all questions from the public, particularly those about underwater blasting and extraction.
A public meeting on the quarry proposal is set for March 25 at 7pm at the Rockmosa hall in Rockwood.
