An organized group opposed to expansion of a gravel pit and bedrock quarry in Melanchton County said “blasting and dewatering threaten to alter water flows, degrade wetlands, and reduce biodiversity.
The Strada Aggregates operation also emits limestone dust which is alkaline, coats vegetation and soil, disrupts photosynthesis and alters soil chemistry, the opponents said.
Strada wants to expand by 123.7 hectares and open a 65.7-hectare quarry and gain permission to blast to about 200 feet below the water table and hauling two million tonnes of aggregate annually.
Its current pit must stay above the water table.
The group wrote letters to the province and municipality to warn that blasting and dewatering would threaten to alter water flows, degrade wetlands, and reduce biodiversity.
