West Grey council defers gravel pit decision

West Grey council has washed its hands of the ongoing Saugeen gravel pit debate by voting against an interim control bylaw (ICBL).

If passed, the bylaw would pause approvals on new pits for aggregate extraction until a review is completed. Opponents of the two new proposed gravel pits and expansion of another that would be situated near the Saugeen River were disappointed. Local residents, business owners, and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) asked council to update the policies shortly after the gravel pit proposals were made public.

The Saugeen Preservation Society (SPS), which formed in response to the proposed gravel pits, hired environmental experts who warned that the existing policies would not protect the community. Opponents have cited concerns of possible impact on water quality, for example.

West Grey without protection

Council’s refusal to support the ICBL means that the responsibility falls on Grey County, which the SPS says “effectively leaves West Grey without direct protection or control until the county’s next policy update in 2027.”

“Given the simple function of an ICBL — to press pause on consequential projects until policies have been evaluated for their adequacy — we are disappointed by West Grey’s decision. Uncertainty around which level of government is responsible for this issue continues to be a serious barrier to timely and meaningful action,” OFAH Fish and Wildlife Biologist Matthew Robbins said.

The SPS stated that the delay leaves communities vulnerable and at significant risk.

“It’s a mixed bag,” the group stated. “We’ve had meaningful discussions with council, and we believe some members truly want what’s best for West Grey. But in the end, despite having four active applications, the urgency was ignored. We’re not done yet. We’ll keep working to bring balance back to protect citizens, fisheries, and the Saugeen River as soon as possible.”

The SPS says it will continue to advocate for immediate action to establish responsible and consistent gravel management.

For more information on the SGS, visit: www.saugeenpreservationsociety.com

Originally published in the Jan.-Feb. 2026 issue of Ontario Out of Doors

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