St Marys Cement - A Division of Votorantim Cimentos
Bowmanville Quarry Westside Marsh
Municipality of Clarington
St Marys Cement Inc. has maintained an aggregate extraction licence for a 225-hectare quarry site near Bowmanville since 1963. As part of the planned quarry development, a 40.3-hectare wetland was to be removed and the resources beneath it extracted. Although the extraction permit predated almost all current environmental legislation, in 1995 St Marys invited the Waterfront Regeneration Trust to consult with the stakeholders and help develop a new site plan to protect as much of the marsh as possible, and to relocate the creek and marsh in an ecologically responsible manner.
The construction of the creek and marsh reconfigurations began in late 2002. In 2006, monitoring began to investigate trends in the biological and physical productivity of each habitat type that has been constructed, enhanced or
retained. Crews conducted water quality testing and took aerial photos to pinpoint changes in biodiversity, seeking out opportunities to improve shelter, feeding and reproduction. Other initiatives included relocating pest species, building habitat structures, adding special features to enhance resilience, and introducing raptor poles to attract beneficial “tenants.” The site is now home to a large group of osprey that protect the marsh from unwanted birds.
St Marys has dedicated the land to the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority. To this day the company remains strongly committed to preserving the area’s unique wetland environment and, through a Community Relations Committee, ensures the ongoing health and wellbeing of the Westside Marsh. It also supports ongoing research and continues to monitor the wetlands and report on findings.