Sturgeon County should use performance standards instead of setbacks to regulate gravel pits, a report to council suggests.
County council accepted two reports on the state of aggregate extraction regulation Aug. 25, and asked administration to prepare an economic analysis of potential changes by Sept. 8.
Councillors started a review of how Sturgeon regulates aggregate mines in June 2019 to see if current rules allow for sustainable sand and gravel extraction.
In his report to council, consultant Ken Venner noted the county has dug up half the known aggregate deposits in its borders in the last few decades. Another 20 per cent are currently being mined, and about 15 per cent more could be mined economically and within the current rules.
Venner noted the county currently relies on 400- or 800-metre minimum setbacks and site-specific rules to determine where aggregate mining could take place. His review of best practices found many jurisdictions also require gravel companies to meet measurable performance standards for noise, traffic, air quality, groundwater and other issues to reduce their impacts on neighbours. These standards are backed by regular monitoring and have to be met if a company wants to renew a permit or open a new pit.
A survey done as part of the review found noise, water and traffic are the biggest concerns amongst members of the public about gravel mines, with most calling for reduced operating hours and increased water monitoring. Most agreed the current setbacks are arbitrary, but some did not want them reduced.
Industry representatives surveyed during the review preferred performance standards to the current setbacks, arguing the current ones lock off useful gravel deposits. Industry was open to creating a security fund to address water issues and doing more to address noise and traffic.
While Mayor Alanna Hnatiw said she thought evidence-based performance standards are the way to go, she wanted to see the results of the upcoming economic analysis before she makes any decisions.
