Protecting Algonquin Highlands

In July of 2017, the property owners on pristine Harvey Lake were given only seven days to respond to an application made to the Ministry of Natural Resources for a 53-acre quarry a mere 170 metres from the lake.  The eight families on this small lake faced a David & Goliath battle to oppose the quarry.
Located approximately 7km east of Dorset, Ontario in the beautiful Algonquin Highlands and about 20km from Algonquin Park.  A small lake with only eight families, over 60% of owners on Harvey Lake are 2nd generation and some are fourth generation and have been on the lake for over 60 years.


The initial quarry application requested an annual extraction limit of 285,000 tonnes of aggregate per year and a 53-acre mega quarry, which would permit noisy blasting, and crushing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Consultants reports submitted with the application estimate that at a volume of 100,000 tones per annum, there could be 10 truck loadings per hour - allowing for return trips traffic would be double that level.
The Township Official Plan requires a separation of 1 km from waterfront for new aggregate operations and the Township has turned down a request to amend the zoning.  Imagine a quarry operation only 300 metres from cottages, families and the small lake. 
BLASTING & DRILLING
of bedrock, will be heard for many kilometres
 disrupting residents and wildlife. ​
INCREASED TRAFFIC
Proponents initial proposal showed over 10 heavy ​trucks per hour, impacting quiet enjoyment and personal safety of residents.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
to residents on Kawagama, Harvey, Otter, Hardwood, Skin,  Fletcher, Bear, and Livingstone Lakes. ​
POLLUTED LAKES
Any polluted ground water will flow into Harvey Lake & hence Kawagama Lake & Lake of Bays.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
to critical wetlands including two streams, a bog and a marsh will be adversely affected.
THREATENED SPECIES
 the site includes two habits of the threatened Blanding's Turtle.

What We Have Accomplished

  • Formed Harvey Lake & Area Residents (HLAR) community group
  • Placed educational ads online, on our social platforms and raised awareness of the negative impacts of this quarry in local and national papers
  • Submitted commentary with legal representation for each step of the challenging proponent-led process
  • Harvey Lake & Area Residents (HLAR) requested a Part II Environmental Assessment which was declined by the Ministry of Environment. 
  • Not to be dissuaded, HLAR retained Senior Hydrogeologist, Dr. Reinhard Zapta to provide a hydrogeological review of the proponent's site plan. The review cited significant data gaps , while also stating the proposed quarry could potentially be BELOW the groundwater table.   None of these potentially hazardous gaps were identified by the MNRF or the MOE 
  • In early 2022, the MNRF has requested the proponent produce a full hydrogeology report of the proposed site.

Current Status


In late 2023, unbeknownst to the community, the Ministry of Natural Resources approved the license #626275 for Bacher Construction’s quarry.  

Blasting began in the summer of 2024. 

Although the Applicant reduced the annual production limit to 75,000 tonnes per year, by the calculations submitted with the report, this could still generate 15 deliveries and return trips per hour over cottage country roads.

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Protecting Algonquin Highlands