Court ruling threatens Big Hill Springs Park, say activists calgaryherald.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from calgaryherald.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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Burnco Rock Products had pushed for a 389-hectare increase to its existing gravel quarrying operation 1.6 kilometres west of Cochrane, saying its plan to phase in the expansion over 30 to 35 years was needed to replace dwindling supply from its other Calgary-area pits.
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The area, 740 per cent larger than the area Burnco’s now allowed to mine in the area, would have run for six kilometres along the Bow River in some places within 60 metres of the water and encompass areas crossed by two creeks that drain into it.
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A 131-hectare gravel pit opponents fear will foul Big Hill Springs Provincial Park’s signature creek was approved Tuesday by Rocky View County.
Councillors voted 6-3 in favour of the application by Mountain Ash LP to extract sand and gravel from a quarry about 300 metres from the creek’s underground headwaters and 1,200 metres from the park’s boundary.
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That vote came despite a letter from Alberta Environment and Parks officials urging them to delay a decision until a more thorough environmental review could be done.
Councillors approve contentious gravel pit near Big Hill Springs park calgaryherald.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from calgaryherald.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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Those opposed to a gravel mine proposed near Big Hill Springs Provincial Park fear that it would foul its creek and ruin the popular “prairie oasis.”
An application for the quarry goes before Rocky View County Council at a special public hearing March 2 with nearby residents and conservationists gearing up to fight its possible approval, which they say would impact the aquifer which feeds the park’s spring.
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