AGGREGATE RESOURCES
IN THE STEPHENFIELD WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AREA

The accompanying diagram shows the distribution of aggregate pits and quarries in the management area. For this compilation, a pit is considered active if it has been used within the last two years. There are two active shale quarries and thirteen active gravel pits. All are privately owned. The pits are concentrated in a series of glaciofluvial and lacustrine beach deposits. Many of the deposits are bisected by creeks flowing off the escarpment.

Aggregate extraction is regulated through the Quarry Minerals Regulation (Manitoba Regulation 65/92) under the Manitoba Mines and Minerals Act, through policies under the Planning Act and through municipal development plans and their zoning by-laws.

Policy #9 under the Planning Act is designed to protect high quality mineral resources from conflicting land uses until the resource has been extracted. Most development plans include maps showing the location of high quality aggregate deposits. Zoning by-laws identify where extraction is allowed or excluded.

The Quarry Minerals Regulation sets standards for such things as safety slopes, setbacks from adjacent property lines and waterways, noise levels and location of petroleum storage, etc. The set back from a waterway is 4 meters. Clauses 42(1b) and 48 specifically relate to ground water protection. 

The regulation also provides for the "Pit and Quarry Rehabilitation" program. Under this program, landowners can apply to have depleted or abandoned gravel pits rehabilitated to a standard that is "safe, environmentally stable and compatible with adjoining lands".