Skip to content

Company responds to pit concerns

The company behind a proposal to dig two sand and gravel pit mines in the Tawatinaw area says it has responded to residents’ concerns and plans another open house this fall.
pit
Sustainable Developments Commercial Services says it has responded to residents’ concerns about two proposed sand and gravel pits in the Tawatinaw area and plans another open house this fall.

The company behind a proposal to dig two sand and gravel pit mines in the Tawatinaw area says it has responded to residents’ concerns and plans another open house this fall.

Sustainable Developments Commercial Services senior project manager Grant Stephens said the company is aware of the issues involved in what he called the “Oko Project” and is working to resolve them.

In the Oct. 2 Westlock News, landowners expressed concerns about noise levels, effects on groundwater and the condition of the road, as well as the fact a herd of Elk live in the region.

“A Provincial Code of Practice approval is required to operate a sand or gravel operation in Alberta. The management of wildlife falls within the regulatory authority of Alberta Environment and Parks,” he wrote in an e-mail.

“As part of the Code of Practice application submission to the province, SDCS completed a wildlife assessment as requested by Alberta Environment and Parks.”

One concern landowners made clear was about groundwater contamination. SDCS had previously stated that there was no danger of groundwater contamination in the 40-metre pit.

“SDCS worked with a qualified expert to conduct a study to determine if the pit is dry or wet. The study determined that the water table was not present in the sand and gravel seams of either project therefore they are both considered dry,” said Stephens. “A wet pit refers to an operation which occurs at, or below the water table and can also refer to gravel washing and pit dewatering activities associated with the operation, of which there are neither at the proposed sites. “

He would not comment on the methodology the company took to determine the state of groundwater, instead suggesting that would be discussed during an upcoming information session that is currently being planned for November.

“This information is presented in a highly technical manner and is often difficult to understand without an engineer present to explain it clearly,” he said.

Another concern made by residents was involving the noise caused by the operation and how that would affect the Maska House School — a six-bed treatment facility for at-risk Aboriginal girls.

Stephens said the gravel pit would not exceed the 65-decibel-maximum noise limit allowed.

“Both of the Oko projects will not exceed 65 decibels at the property line during operation. This level of sound is described as being comparable to conversation heard in a restaurant or a quiet office setting,” he said. “In addition to adhering to the Code of Practice standards and local noise bylaws, SDCS will also consider mitigation measures in an effort to reduce potential noise created by the Oko projects. SDCS is currently considering building berms to mitigate visual and noise impacts as well as shrouding.”

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks