New pit with old issues

Times Contributor    

 

Dust issues and deteriorating road conditions were kicked to the surface again on Aug. 19, as Wheatland Council considered the approval of the development permit for the Indian Springs gravel pit. It involves 23.5 acres of the 160 located at NE21-26-18-4. The landowners own the pit, but it is operated by private contractors. 

There may be up to 10-15 employees utilizing the area, on Monday to Saturday basis, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., during the months of May to October.

County consultants asked council to consider implementing a hauling work agreement, upgrade the access road on Township Road 264, and pay dust control costs to where the route meets Highway 565 and 848. 

Wheatland County also operates a gravel pit in the same area. 

“It is unfair that this developer has to upgrade the road when we haven`t met that standard. We should be working jointly on this with them,” said Councillor Ben Armstrong.

A submitted letter by adjacent landowners raised concerns that current dust control standards and safety measures.

“Dust control is only provided when we complain about the air quality in our yard,” the Nails stated in their letter.

Water trucks were utilized and calcium applications seemed ineffective given the current traffic, let alone with expanded use. Written statements claimed communications with adjacent landowners were poor regarding hauling schedules, and safety issues were raised concerning decreased visibility and deterioration of the road. Speed of the trucks and noise during working hours were also mentioned.

Residents came up with some solutions like rerouting the truck traffic away from residences by use of alternate access roads, or posting speed reduction signs for the gravel trucks.

Councillor Alice Booth commented that it still did not address dust control measures. 

“It is an ongoing problem, we need someone policing it or we will have the same problem again,” said Booth.

Armstrong said that he had a suggestion that may address dust concerns that he would introduce at a later council meeting.

The permit was approved with agreement to amended changes.