Rocky View community speaks out against open-pit gravel mine

By 660 NEWS Staff

ROCKY VIEW (660 NEWS) – Hundreds of residents in Rocky View County say they’re being ignored as they try and stop an open-pit gravel mine from being approved.

Over four hundred letters of opposition have been sent to Rocky View County council which will be read on Feb. 2.

The deadline for public consultations coming to an end but county residents don’t feel like they’re being heard.

They have until Feb. 1 to submit a video or audio comment regarding the newest proposition, which would see an open-pit gravel mine with a 25-year lifespan built in Bearspaw.

Former Olympian Catriona Le May Doan is a resident of the area and said between the noise and pollution people should be able to stop it.

“This is an open mine gravel pit, the second largest in the entire country. The carcinogens that will be released, there have been tests done, it is harmful.”

“We’re looking at huge, huge numbers that will be very harmful not just for us, but for our children and the youth.”

The pit was rejected in 1994 and again about ten years ago. It’s being proposed for the third time, and Le May Doan said this time residents feel like they haven’t been given any meaningful public consultations.

“We understand health restrictions, we understand guidelines, but the fact that you could not have 400 families show up and show the opposition? It’s very easy for people to read a letter and not put a face to the names.”

Le May Doan said the pit shouldn’t take precedence over the people and wildlife living in the area already.”

“People’s health and safety, our wildlife, wetlands, and nature should not be (overtaken) because of an open pit.”

“(It’s) an open mine gravel pit. So, again, 24-hour blasting and nobody will want that within a 50-kilometre radius.”

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