Councillor surprised by controversial Fall River quarry approval
Posted Sep 23, 2015 05:29:09 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
FALL RIVER, N.S. – The councillor for Fall River said news that a controversial quarry will move ahead in his ward is unbelievable to him.
The provincial government announced Monday afternoon it had given operating approval to Scotian Materials Ltd. for a quarry under four hectares near Fall River that critics have said will contaminate lake water in the area.
These are the decisions, councillor for the area Barry Dalyrymple tells Global News, that cause people to lose faith in government.
“The community is unanimously opposed, a huge wide amount of community,” Dalyrymple said.
“It’s exactly what people say, why do they trust government? Why do they believe government will look after their concerns?”
Environment Nova Scotia said the approval comes with conditions to protect the environment and people’s health.
Conditions include monitoring for water and dust, a limit on the noise level and restrictions on blasting, and Scotian Materials must also set up a liason committee that includes people from the area.
Resident Stacey Rudderham questions the “secret,” process in which the process was given approval, after being quietly approved last week.
“Why was this being kept secret from the public? Why was the MLA in the area Bill Horne not notified? He’s a liberal as well, he’s part of the party,” Rudderham said.
“Why was the local councillor not informed of this? Why was the lawyer for the public group that’s opposed to this not informed?”
Residents have 30 days to appeal the decision.
