OFA provides comments to the MNDMNRF regarding proposed regulatory changes for the beneficial reuse of excess soil at pits and quarries in Ontario. OFA believes that agricultural activities make the best use of arable lands and that the productivity of those lands must be maintained. Aggregate extraction from agricultural lands requires unique attention given the requirement to rehabilitate these lands back to agricultural use. Excess soils accepted at pits and quarries located on lands being rehabilitated to agricultural uses must meet the “agricultural and other property use” standards as a minimum, and not compromise future agricultural activities. Furthermore, there must be a means to ensure that the spread and broader establishment of invasive plants is not facilitated through the use of excess soils in pits and quarries. OFA appreciates the requirement for applicants on existing approved sites to follow soil quality standards for agricultural and other property use under the EPA on private land when the future use is not identified in the approved rehabilitation plan, so that future uses of the property are not limited.