Letter writing campaign launches in opposition to proposed quarry in Melancthon

September 25, 2025 · 0 Comments

Written By PAULA BROWN

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

The clock is ticking down.

Dufferin County residents who wish to share their concerns or opposition to the construction of a below-the-water-table quarry in north Dufferin County have until Nov. 10 to submit their comments.

The Township of Melancthon issued a press release earlier this month, informing residents that they had been notified of the application submission by Strada Aggregates for a quarry operation within its existing 360–acre sand and gravel pit, and that the 60-day commenting period under the Aggregate Resources Act (ARA) had commenced as of Sept. 11.

“During this commenting period, landowners and residents will have an opportunity to provide any concerns they may have to the applicant and Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. The applicant will have an opportunity to work with landowners and residents to resolve their concerns,” reads a press release from the Township. “At the end of the commenting process, landowners and residents will have an opportunity to confirm any concerns that have not been fully addressed. The MNRF may then refer any unresolved concerns or objections to the Ontario Land Tribunal for a hearing.

Melancthon Against Quarries (MAQ), a grassroots organization in opposition to the quarry application, has launched a letter-writing campaign to oppose Strada Aggregate’s application and help residents’ concerns be heard.

“Most of us live here because we value a pure, clean, rural environment, and this will transform Melancthon from a rural township to a mining Township,” said Larry Taman, organizer of Melancthon Against Quarries. “A dusty mine, blasting explosions below the water table will affect everybody’s life, everybody’s future, and everybody’s property values.”

To help residents submit their letters of concern, MAQ has created a web-based system, which allows residents to compose and send their letter of objection directly to the Ministry through the MAQ’s website.

In the newsletter, MAQ advised that residents’ letters “do not have to show scientific expertise.”

“Your letter should set out simply and concisely your objections to the first blast quarry in Dufferin County,” the MAQ previously noted. “Your letter can be brief and should contain a simple statement about who you are and why you oppose the quarry.”

Strada Aggregate initially brought forward a presentation to Melancthon Council in October 2021, which noted their intention to submit an application for a proposed quarry. The Strada Aggregate quarry was proposed to be constructed in an existing gravel pit, located in the area of 4th Line and County Rd. 17 in Melancthon, and designed to extract 2 million tonnes of aggregate while extending below the water table.

Melancthon Against Quarries will be hosting an information meeting on Oct. 4 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Horning’s Mills Community Hall. The Township of Melancthon will also be hosting an information session on Oct. 9 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Horning’s Mills Community Hall, located at 14 Mill Street in Horning’s Mills.

Residents will have until Nov. 10 to submit their letters of concern.

For more information about the Melancthon Against Quarries initiatives and how to get involved, contact the group by email at info@juststopit.ca. Regular updates can be received by signing up for their newsletter at www.juststopit.ca.