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Each year, the Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (OSSGA) recognizes the member companies that have gone above and beyond the call of duty with the Community Relations and the Progressive Rehabilitation awards. “OSSGA remains committed to fostering excellence among its members by promoting efficient operations, responsible land stewardship, and strong community engagement,” said Mike McSweeney, executive director of OSSGA. “The 2024 Industry Recognition Award winners have exemplified these core values, and we look forward to their continued leadership in the year ahead.” The Community Relations Award recognizes leadership in promoting good neighbor relations, community involvement, education, and industry awareness. This year, OSSGA recognized six winners, honouring each site with a plaque at our awards dinner March 5. The 2024 winners are: CBM, Aggregates Division | Shelter Valley Pit Township of Alnwick/Haldimand CBM Aggregates’ Shelter Valley Pit prioritizes noise and dust control through measures like vegetated berms, tree screens, and restricted truck hours. The site uses water trucks and calcium suppressants to manage dust, and progressive rehabilitation efforts aid in preventing dust suppression. Committed to the community, the company donated to the Trenton Memorial Hospital to support the purchase of critically-needed medical equipment, and keeps the public engaged through open houses, interactive websites, and a liaison committee. Walker Aggregates & Construction | Sutherland Quarry Expansion Township of Georgian Bluffs Walker Aggregates’ Sutherland Quarry prioritizes community engagement, environmental responsibility, and noise and dust control through monitored blasting, set operating hours, and traffic management. In 2024, the company supported Habitat for Humanity, local environmental projects, and various community events. Through public outreach, sponsorships, and regular stakeholder communication, Walker fosters strong relationships with its neighbors. Walker Aggregates & Construction | Duntroon Quarry Clearview Township The Duntroon Quarry prioritizes community relationships while ensuring responsible operations through monitored blasts, noise reduction measures, and strict dust control. Actively supporting local charities and events, the quarry donates to organizations like the Hospice Georgian Triangle Foundation. Communication remains key, with newsletters, a dedicated website, and employee engagement initiatives fostering transparency and industry awareness. Walker Aggregates & Construction | McGregor Quarry Town of Amherstburg McGregor Quarry fosters positive neighbor relations by controlling noise, dust, and traffic through monitoring, equipment covers, and regular watering. Community support includes donations, event sponsorships, and an annual summer PLC event. Communication is maintained through newsletters, a website, and employee engagement initiatives like town halls and industry tours. Walker Aggregates & Construction | Severn Quarry Town of Severn Severn Quarry maintains strong community ties through transparent operations, noise and dust control, and traffic monitoring. It supports local causes like the United Way and Soldiers Memorial Hospital while hosting events such as PLC BBQs and student tours. Communication is prioritized through newsletters, a website, and direct engagement with neighbors. Walker Aggregates & Construction | Vineland Quarries & Crushed Stone Town of Lincoln Vineland Quarries prioritizes responsible operations and community engagement through measures like monitoring blasts, controlling dust, and managing traffic safety. The quarry is involved in local projects, such as restoring the Vineland Scouts building and supporting Habitat for Humanity, while maintaining open communication through newsletters and an open-door policy. Educational efforts include hosting annual open houses, offering bus tours, and providing opportunities for fossil hunting and discussions on rehabilitation. The Progressive Rehabilitation Award recognizes the ongoing efforts of individual operators to progressively rehabilitate their sites per their site plans. The 2024 Judges’ Choice Award Winner: CBM, Aggregates Division | Douglas Pit and McLaughlin Pit West Nissouri Township Covering approximately 6.26 hectares, the project successfully transformed former extraction sites into stable, vegetated landscapes, integrating seamlessly into natural habitats. Efforts included topsoil contouring, shoreline stabilization, and biodiversity enhancements through the introduction of native wetland species. By May 2024, the rehabilitation was completed, creating an ecologically sustainable environment. “It is once again an honor for CBM to be awarded the Judge’s Choice Award for our rehabilitation efforts at our Douglas/McLaughlin Pit,” says David Hanratty, Director of Land, Resources & Environment, CBM Aggregates. “Our efforts in progressive and final rehabilitation are a key component of our Sustainability Legacy as a company and we couldn’t be prouder of the recognition given to our efforts by OSSGA.” The 2024 winners are: CBM, Aggregates Division | Sunderland Pit Township of Brock The project rehabilitated 3.4 hectares, shaping slopes and restoring the pit floor using sustainable methods. Hydroseeding with specialized grass and legume mixes promoted long-term stabilization and ecological restoration. By prioritizing environmental sustainability, CBM Aggregates ensures that former extraction areas transition into thriving natural landscapes. Green Infrastructure Partners Inc. | Armitage Pit Township of West Carlton Progressive rehabilitation at GIP’s Armitage Pit has focused on pond restoration, sloping pit sidewalls, and planting rye and clover after covering with topsoil. By 2016, 580 trees and shrubs, including Red Osier Dogwood, white spruce, and white pine, were planted to improve wildlife and fish habitats. The final rehabilitation plan includes a self-contained pond, additional planting, and shoreline restoration to support local wetlands and wildlife. Green Infrastructure Partners Inc. | Riddell Pit City of Ottawa The final rehabilitation plans for the Riddell Pit involve sloping pit faces, seeding with grass and legumes, and planting trees like maples, white pine, and white spruce. Phase 3 will be converted into a large lake, with sloped sides above and below the water table, covered with topsoil, seeded, and planted with nursery stock. To date, 5.5 ha of pit faces have been sloped, seeded, and planted, aiming to create an ecosystem that integrates with surrounding agricultural lands, forests, and wetlands. Green Infrastructure Partners Inc. | Torbolton Pit City of Ottawa Progressive rehabilitation at the Torbolton Pit covers 50 hectares, including pond rehabilitation (20 ha) and tree/shrub planting (10 ha). Efforts around the northern pond area include creating perpendicular shorelines, sloping pit faces, and planting species like Red Osier Dogwood, High Bush Cranberry, White Pine, Red Pine, and White Spruce to prevent erosion. Final plans include a self-contained pond, sloped shorelines covered with topsoil, seeded, and planted with Willows and Silver Maple, along with stumps and rocks placed to enhance fish spawning and wildlife habitats. Lafarge Canada Inc. – A Member of Holcim | Brantford Pit County of Brant The Brantford Pit rehabilitation aimed to stabilize former extraction areas with shallow shorelines and natural features. The project involved sloping and seeding the southern shoreline and side-slope areas using 14,000 cubic meters of overburden and topsoil, spread at a 20 cm thickness with a 3:1 slope ratio. A native grass/legume mixture was seeded in May 2024 across 12,500 square meters to encourage natural re-vegetation and ensure long-term stabilization for a sustainable ecosystem. Lafarge Canada Inc. – A Member of Holcim | Clark Pit City of Ottawa The Clark Pit aimed to restore former extraction areas to their original grade for future industrial use in Ottawa. Over 22 years, 2.5 million tonnes of soil were imported to fill, slope, and grade the land, with the western side sloped to a 3:1 ratio and overburden used to meet topsoil requirements. While seeding was not necessary for its industrial use, natural vegetation established itself, ensuring the site would be ready for industrial purposes by 2024. Miller Paving Limited – A Colas Company | Boyington Pit 3 Township of Uxbridge Through a combination of grading, topsoil placement, and seeding with crops like corn and soybeans, Miller Paving has demonstrated a commitment to ensuring productive land use after extraction activities. While the site still remains an active extraction site, about 50 per cent of the land has now been rehabilitated back to agriculture production. This marks the fourth win in a row for Miller Paving’s Boyington Pit, last year winning the coveted Judges’ Choice award. E.C. King Contracting – A Colas Company | Breadner Pit Grey County By implementing soil fertility improvements and long-term sustainability measures, the project highlights a commitment to both environmental conservation and productive land use. Last year, a total of 6.44 hectares were rehabilitated and the site was fully transformed into pastureland with plans to return to its original orchard conditions. Pioneer Construction Inc. | Laurentian Pit City of Sudbury The Laurentian Pit completed progressive rehabilitation on its 15.6-hectare pit focusing on slope stabilization, drainage improvements, and native vegetation planting. This initiative supports local biodiversity while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the rehabilitated land. VicDom Sand & Gravel | Middleton Pit Township of Uxbridge The Middleton Pit, a former farmland used for aggregate extraction from 2019 to 2022, was rehabilitated in 2024 with a plan to restore it as open grassland, cropland, and a small pond for wildlife habitat. Overburden material was used to backfill the site, restoring its original rolling hills landscape across 3 hectares, with a wheat crop planted in the first year to stabilize soils. Rehabilitation, completed in spring 2024, involved excavators, bulldozers, and tractors, resulting in an ecologically beneficial site with potential for continued agricultural use. Walker Aggregates & Construction | Gowanlock Pit Grey County The Gowanlock pit underwent a 15-year rehabilitation process to restore it for agricultural use, with the final phase completed in 2024 on 5.8 hectares of land. The pit floor was leveled, and topsoil and fertilizer were spread, preparing the site for future farming. The Ministry of Natural Resources inspected the site in October 2024 and confirmed it met all rehabilitation requirements, with plans for rental to a neighboring farmer in 2025. |
