Quarry rehab applications under review

The province received almost 40 applications, requesting about $4.8 million worth of quarry rehabilitation projects to be funded from this season’s intake, which closed June 15. Decisions aren’t expected to be made before mid-July on successful applicants.

This year, $3 million has been set aside to fund quarry rehab projects out of the fund that is built through the collection of levies on producers.

Currently the levy sits at 12 cents per tonne extracted, with an expected increase by 10 cents per tonne likely to take effect in 2023. The levy has been at 12 cents per tonne since 2012.

The heavy construction industry, representing aggregate suppliers, has called for stepped increases for years, and now is working through the Quarry Rehabilitation Advisory Committee, appointed provincially to review issues and challenges of the aggregate sector and refer recommendations to the minister.

The committee, at its June 21 meeting, heard that some 38 applications were submitted to the province this year, all from the private sector.

Among the items discussed by the committee were:

• Aggregate Resources Study
  The last study was undertaken in 1976 by UMA Engineering under contract with the province. The Committee agreed a new study should be performed by a consultant, to update information about current and projected resources compared to demands for aggregates
• Third Party Quarry Rehab Program Management
  The province has agreed with the committee’s recommendation that a third party be engaged to oversee and manage the Quarry Rehab Program. This would allow, among other things, the carry over of unallocated revenues in any given year.
• Aggregate Haul/Transport Fee on roads maintenance by RMs
  The above fees, where imposed by rural municipalities, will be increased by the CPI retroactive to 2012-2021. Advance notice of fees and date of implementation will be provided.