What are the main concerns about the R.W. Tomlinson quarry expansion in Ottawa?

Concerns primarily focus on the potential impact on local wildlife and ecosystems, as the expansion includes wetlands home to minnow species and turtles, and are important for flood prevention.

How does R.W. Tomlinson Ltd. plan to address environmental impacts from the quarry expansion?

The company plans to implement progressive rehabilitation, creating over 63 hectares of new natural features on the site through phased extraction to meet the city's no net loss requirement.

What is the current status of the Ottawa quarry's expansion proposal?

The plan has advanced through the agriculture and rural affairs committee and is now awaiting final approval from the Ottawa city council.

Home / Environment / Ottawa Quarry Plans Triple Footprint, Sparks Concern

Ottawa Quarry Plans Triple Footprint, Sparks Concern

6 Mar

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Summary

Quarry expansion threatens vital wetlands and wildlife habitats.
Environmental groups cite biodiversity and flood prevention concerns.
Company proposes progressive rehabilitation for a net-zero loss.

A significant expansion of an Ottawa quarry operation, located southwest of Stittsville along Highway 7, is moving closer to final approval from city council. The proposal aims to nearly triple the footprint of R.W. Tomlinson's bedrock extraction site, which currently removes millions of tonnes of material annually for concrete and asphalt production.

Concerns have been voiced by environmental groups regarding the potential impact on local wildlife and ecosystems. Specifically, the expansion area includes wetlands that are home to at least three species of minnow and turtles, with advocates emphasizing their role in biodiversity and carbon storage. Despite losing their provincial significance designation recently, these wetlands are still considered crucial for flood prevention.

The quarry owner, R.W. Tomlinson Ltd., plans to mitigate these impacts through a strategy of progressive rehabilitation. The company intends to create over 63 hectares of new natural features on the 100-plus hectare site over multiple phases of extraction. This approach aims to ensure that the rehabilitation process meets the city's requirement for no net loss of natural features.

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