Municipalities play an important role in the review and regulation of quarry operations within their municipal and planning area boundaries.
Quarry Applications
When a quarry application is received:
- The application is referred to the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs to determine whether the proposed quarry is located within a municipality or local service district, and whether quarry development is permitted under local zoning regulations.
- Applications located within a municipal boundary or planning area are referred to the municipality for review and comment.
- Municipal zoning and development regulations may restrict where quarry development can occur and may require the applicant to obtain a municipal development permit.
- Municipalities may establish conditions on a development permit, such as hours of operation, traffic management measures, or blasting requirements.
- Where a municipality has planning authority, a quarry permit will not be issued until the required municipal development permit has been provided.
Fees and Royalties
- Municipalities may charge development permit application fees in accordance with their regulations.
- Municipalities cannot collect royalties on quarry materials. Royalties are administered by the Province.
Compliance and Enforcement
- The Department’s Quarry Inspectors conduct inspections of quarries throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, including those located within municipal boundaries.
- Municipalities can support compliance efforts by:
- Reporting concerns about quarry operations to a Quarry Inspector.
- Requesting inspections of quarries located within their municipality.
- Requesting meetings or site visits with Quarry Compliance Officers to discuss concerns.
- Municipalities may also enforce their own development regulations and, where appropriate, issue stop-work orders for activities that do not comply with the conditions of a municipal development permit.
Land Use Planning for Quarries in a Town:
- Municipal land use plans and zoning regulations should identify areas where quarry development may be permitted or considered as a discretionary use. Planning for access to quarry resources helps ensure a long-term supply of materials needed for infrastructure, construction, and community development.
- For questions related to quarry land use planning, contact the Department’s Land Use Team at MinesBranchReferrals@gov.nl.ca