Proposed Lippa Pit & Quarry

What is the Proposed Lippa Pit & Quarry?

An application was filed in 2017 to build a pit and quarry on private lands owned by the Lippas on Butler Mill Road.  If approved, this permit would allow the extraction of 200,000 tonnes of gravel every year. Blasting and extraction would occur below the water table.  Haul routes for transporting the extracted material would be along Aspdin Road, either 15 kilometers west to Rosseau or 22 kilometers east to Huntsville. 

Approval for the quarry requires amendments to the Township of Muskoka Lakes Official Plan and Zoning By-Laws as well as a license from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) under the Aggregate Resources Act.  


Why is it a threat to Skeleton Lake?

These are the risks:

Water Quality

Via Lambert's Creek, Lippa will “de-water” crushing operations into our lake leading to contamination and increased nutrients.

Noise

The hundreds of large gravel trucks travelling along Aspdin Road, adjacent to our lake, will destroy our peaceful enjoyment of it.

Safety 

Increased truck traffic on this scenic, pedestrian and school-bus route would create safety issues for both cottagers and area residents.

Health Risks

Crushing generates silica dust and other toxic substances that prevailing winds can bring over our community ... as well as wildlife habitat.

Ground Water Contamination

The hydrogeological/hydrological impacts of blasting below the water table could affect the unique structure of our lake

Real Estate Values

These risks will have a negative impact on real estate values, your investment.

The Timeline ...

June 2017 – Lippa’s request to amend the Official Plan and zoning bylaws (OPA-46 & ZB-13/14) was unanimously defeated by the Township of Muskoka Lakes (TML). 

July 2017 – Lippa appealed this decision to the *Ontario Municipal Board; SLCO made plans to defend the Township of Muskoka Lakes decision.

2018 – Mr. Ross Earl, a resident of Lambert’s Lake, disclosed that while Lippa had complied with the Township’s two-kilometer setback rule (E 14.2) for Skeleton Lake, Lambert’s Lake is only 700 meters from the proposed site.

June 2018 – Lippa submitted an additional amendment application (OPA-52) to crush within 700 meters of Lambert’s Lake. The TML refused it outright, citing a total lack of public support for the project.

July 2019 – Lippa appealed this decision (OPA-52) to the *Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT).  If this appeal fails, the original appeal (OPA-46 & ZB 13/14) dies.


November 2019 – The Case Management Conference (CMC) used by LPAT to determine the issues, parties and participants was inconclusive. 

March 2020 – The second CMC was postponed indefinitely due to Covid 19.

What's Next?

SLCO is waiting for Ontario Land Tribunal* to reschedule the appeal proceedings to crush within 700 meters of Lambert's Lake (E14-2).  We are enlisting the help of key partners such as the Muskoka Lakes Association and others to help us aggressively defend Rule E14.2 in the OPA-52 appeal.  If successful, the original appeals for OPA-46 and ZB-13/14 will not need to be heard.

    *Player Summary:

    • Muskoka Lakes Association (MLA)
    • *Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT):  "In 2017, the Ontario Municipal Board was continued as the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT). On June 1, 2021, LPAT was amalgamated and continued into the OLT." 
    • Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF):  Now the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resource and Forestry.

    What can you do?

    • Continue to support the SLCO
    • Make a donation
    • Send letters to councillors to defend the appeal to amend the two-kilometer setback rule
    • Show up at council meetings and OLT hearings and make your voice heard. It does have an impact.

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