A land redesignation application that would have enabled a gravel pit and asphalt plant to be located immediately north of the Big Hill Springs Provincial Park was turned down by Rocky View County (RVC) council on Jan. 14.
Representatives of South Rock Ltd. proposed mining 30 acres of land, split into two phases, that would be known as the Caron Gravel Pit.
“Gravel is a non-renewable natural resource and is found wherever Mother Nature puts it,” said Doug Badke, a consultant with South Rock Ltd., who presented the application to council.
He added the proposed land contains a large reserve of good-quality gravel. The land is located south of Highway 567 and east of Range Road 35, in the northwest part of RVC.
The applicants proposed phase one would see mining of 15 acres for a 10-year period, followed by phase two with the same process. Phases would follow as gravel extraction and processing was expected to take place at the site for 40 years.
A gravel crushing plant and an asphalt plant was also proposed for the site.
Badke said about 125,000 tonnes of granular material was planned to be mined annually from May to November, with work taking place Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Mervin Boychuk, consultant with South Rock Ltd., said having more gravel pits ensures competition and better prices for patrons. He added that common concerns heard by residents who live near gravel pits, such as noise and dust, can be addressed and mitigated, thanks to the new technology that has emerged in the industry in the last decade.
The applicants proposed stripping the overburden off the land to build five-metre berms around the exterior of the pit, which they said would provide good sound protection.
A wall of gravel between nine and 15 metres would also help block the noise, said Boychuk.
The applicants also proposed paving a section of Range Road 35, which would serve as the haul route from the site onto Highway 567.
The intersection would be upgraded with acceleration and deceleration lanes on the eastbound lanes, and a left-turn lane added heading westbound, said Boychuk.
The public hearing for the application and for the Master Site Development Plan for Caron Pit attracted eight area landowners and provincial park users who spoke in opposition of the proposal, and submitted petitions with a total of more than 80 signatures of residents who also opposed the application.
Resident Harry Hodgson asked council to defeat the proposal. He said his home is located 400 metres from the proposed site, which he said “is too close for a gravel pit.”
He said public safety will be a concern due to large trucks travelling the road beside his house and attempting to make left-hand turns onto Highway 567, which he said has a steep grade. He said the proximity of the pit will degrade his family’s quality of life.
Another area resident, Paul Thebeau, said the County already has access to a large quantity of gravel pits.
“There are 16 pits within a 15-mile radius of this application… There is at least a 250- to 300-year supply of gravel approved and being mined within a 15-mile radius,” said Thebeau, adding many are farm pits or have been grandfathered into the system.
RVC Manager of Infrastructure and Operations Byron Riemann said the County currently owns or has access to nine gravel pits, six of which are in the west part of the County and each with a five- to 10-year life expectancy.
“We have plenty of gravel… If more pits are indeed required, then approve applications that have the least impact on area residents and park systems,” Thebeau said.
The distance between the proposed gravel pit and a picnic area in the Big Hill Springs Provincial Park was 600 metres, and a much closer proximity in other areas between the boundary of the park and the Caron Pit.
Several speakers had concerns about the effects the operation would have on local wildlife and ecology. A hydrogeological consultant, Soren Poschmann, said there was a chance the pit could impact the water quality of the springs that flow through and near the site of the proposed pit.
The public hearing lasted more than six hours. In a three-to-six split vote, council denied first reading of the land redesignation application.
Three readings are required for the application to pass.
Area Councillor Bruce Kendall made a motion to deny the application, stating among many reasons, the County needs to develop and approve a policy that would outline the requirements for gravel pit applications in the County.
“I think procedurally we’ve been caught and we are ill-prepared to move forward,” said Kendall.
Councillors Rolly Ashdown, Greg Boehlke and Lois Habberfield voted to give the land redesignation first reading. As a result, the MSDP for the Caron Pit was denied.
