Residents Contest Water Use Approval for Cochrane Gravel Pit Expansion
Residents challenge province’s water use approval of gravel pit west of Cochrane
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Local residents near Cochrane, Alberta, are challenging the provincial government's approval of water use for BURNCO Rock Products Ltd.'s gravel pit expansion, citing environmental concerns. The appeal is currently before the Environmental Appeals Board, with key stakeholders including the Stoney Nakoda First Nation and the Town of Cochrane involved in the discussions.
- 01BURNCO Rock Products Ltd. plans to expand its gravel pit site west of Cochrane by five times, raising concerns among local residents about potential groundwater contamination.
- 02The provincial government approved the water use for the expanded site in 2024, but residents are demanding an independent environmental impact assessment due to the site's proximity to the Bow River.
- 03The appeal hearing was postponed due to procedural issues, and no new date has been set as of publication.
- 04The Town of Cochrane has applied for standing in the appeal, seeking more clarity on the project's impacts, while Rocky View County is also a participant.
- 05Residents claim the current environmental regulations are outdated and insufficient for projects near significant water sources.
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Residents near Cochrane, Alberta, are contesting the provincial government's approval of water use for an expansion of BURNCO Rock Products Ltd.'s gravel pit, which has been operational since 2016. The proposed expansion would increase the site’s footprint significantly, raising alarms about potential environmental impacts, particularly on groundwater and the nearby Bow River. The provincial Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) is currently reviewing the case, with a virtual hearing postponed due to procedural disagreements. The Stoney Nakoda First Nation has also expressed concerns regarding the potential adverse effects on their land. Local residents, including Ann McKendrick McNabb, argue that the existing regulations are inadequate and are calling for a comprehensive independent environmental impact assessment (EIA), which gravel pits have been exempt from since a regulation change in 2020. Despite BURNCO's assurances of adhering to environmental standards, residents claim the appeal process has imposed significant financial and logistical burdens on them. The Alberta Environment ministry defends its regulatory approach, stating it provides multiple opportunities for public input while ensuring fairness in the process.
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The ongoing dispute over the gravel pit's water use approval could affect local water quality and environmental health, particularly for residents and the Stoney Nakoda First Nation.
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