News Release
Opposition Growing Against Proposed C and D Operation
(Tuesday, June 11/2002)-- Dartmouth residents are rallying against a proposed C and D (construction and demolition) debris processing plant to be located at a rock quarry on Highway 118.
Councillor Brian Warshick said about 150 residents attended a second public information meeting regarding the proposal last night in Dartmouth. The meeting was held in District 6 (Westphal-Waverley Road), where homes closest to the proposed transfer and processing site are located.
Metro Construction Debris Limited presented their plan, which calls for the conversion of part of the ongoing quarry operation to a site which would host up to six (6) cells to store non-recyclable building materials.
Councillor Warshick today urged the company to listen to the concerns of residents who reside near the historic Shubie Canal system. He said the residents recognize that C and D operations are needed to prevent illegal dumping of materials, but this particular site has too many potentials risks and the company should consider other lands.
The Councillor said the proximity of the proposed C and D operation to the historic Shubenacadie Canal system has him and area residents concerned. "The plant will be located only 300 meters from Lake Charles, which is the highest point in the canal system. If there ever was a run-off problem, not only would Lake Micmac and Lake Banook be in trouble; but Lake Charles also flows in the other direction, all the way through the interior of the province to the Bay of Fundy. The whole waterway system could be in jeopardy."
He said "The potential for an ecological disaster to this major waterway is just too great to take any risks. The idea of using an abandoned quarry to store these inert material holds great promise, but this particular quarry is just too environmentally sensitive."
Councillor Warshick said many of the residents are also concerned that Metro Construction Debris Limited has not yet invested in a costly-- but necessary-- hydro-geological study of the water table and potential run-offs in the area.
About 75, 000 tonnes of construction and related materials enter the system yearly. Since 1998, HRM has been formulating a regulating process . During the past 16 months, it has held extensive hearings in order to formulate a new by-law to handle the construction waste. The current strategy calls for proposals which ensure a minimum 60 % recycling rate in the short term; increasing to 75 per cent by 2005. Three companies have made applications for a license in HRM, including a site in Harrietsfield and Goffs/Antrim. Regional Council is expected to vote on the rezonings in the next month.
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Councillor Brian Warshick
(902) 488-3800
