Mountain View County has officially asked the provincial government to review the current code of practice for asphalt paving plants.
In a July 5 letter signed by Reeve Bruce Beattie and approved by council, the county asks Minister of Environment and Parks Shannon Phillips to review the code, and as part of that review to "set emission standards for asphalt plants" and "require latest technologies as part of operating practices."
Councillors recently passed the motion authorizing the letter after a number of McDougal Flats residents voiced concerns with the environmental impacts of an asphalt plant set up west of Sundre as part of a nearby highway paving project.
A copy of the letter was given to the Gazette on July 5.
"An updated code of practice will align with the provincial commitment to reduce environmental impacts, taking action on climate change and supporting sustainable communities," said Beattie.
"While Mountain View County fully recognizes the importance of gravel and asphalt, it is our position that more can be done to minimize the impacts of these operations.
"Municipalities go to great lengths to mitigate the effect of these activities, on both the environment and area residents. It is not unreasonable to expect the province to set a similar standard."
The letter was CCed to Sundre-area Wildrose MLA Jason Nixon, and to Minister of Transportation Brian Mason.
Meanwhile, during the July 5 regularly scheduled council meeting, councillors considered a proposed resolution regarding the code of practice to be put forward to the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMDC).
The resolution calls on Alberta Environment and Parks to review the code to "reduce environmental impacts by setting higher standards for pollution control through technology requirements" and "requiring new technologies be adhered to as part of the operating practices."
(The current code of practice does not have outlined environmental standards, council heard).
A background note accompanying the proposed resolution states, in part, that, "A viable aggregate industry is a necessary component of a vibrant Alberta economy. As the need for aggregate resources increases throughout the province, municipalities are challenged to deal with offsite impacts resulting from asphalt paving plants within pit operations.
"There have been increased concerns with the air pollutants released from certain types of asphalt paving plants. The code does not contain provisions for the type of asphalt plants permitted which would relate to the environmental impacts a plant may create."
A review of the code should "increase industry standards to reduce particulate emissions released into the atmosphere and the requirement to use newer technologies and eliminate the use of wet scrubber plants. A review of the code will align with the provincial commitment to reduce environmental impacts, taking action on climate change and supporting sustainable communities within Alberta," the background note states.
The proposed resolution will be brought back to council for further consideration at the August council meeting.
The resolution will need another municipality to second the resolution before it can come before the AAMDC convention.
The AAMDC represents 69 rural municipalities, including Mountain View County. If passed at the association's fall convention, the asphalt resolution would be used to lobby the government for action on the matter.
"While Mountain View County fully recognizes the importance of gravel and asphalt, it is our position that more can be done to minimize the impacts of these operations."Bruce BeattieMVC reeve
