Aggregate Resource Plan

Post date: Sep 28, 2017 9:11:43 PM

In an astounding threat to property rights Rocky View County’s Aggregate Resource Plan (ARP) requires landowners to prove they will not “sterilize” future gravel operations. Even more surprising is the lack of information the County has used in drafting this plan. They have used only a cursory glance at potential gravel reserves and nothing at all to estimate future gravel demand. The criteria of 1 meter of gravel bed thickness without regard to overburden is not a realistic determination of potential economically viable sites. The ARP should include also some assessment of future supply and demand and thus a timeline for development and expansion of existing pits and when new pits are expected to be needed. The concern for ‘sterilizing’ the resource should not extend beyond a few decades. Residents should also be concerned that the county proposes an 800 m buffer with provincial parks boundaries but only 100 m from the walls of residential dwellings. Animals impacted by the noise and dust can easily move away. Residents do not have the option to walk away from their homes to live at a more peaceful distance. While a 800 m buffer may be considered to be good for the environment, the proposed ARP entirely ignores the benefits of leaving sand and gravel where it is. Gravel beds left in the ground provide filtration of groundwater and reduced flooding because of slow percolation through the gravel beds. The draft Aggregate Resource Plan appears to be heavily weighted toward the gravel industry and lacks reasonable protection of both the property rights and peaceful living of Rocky View residents.