Editor's note: Reflects a change from North American Stone to North America Stone.
Editor:
Editor’s note: Originally sent to Glen Hendrickson, senior permitting inspector for Mining Operations in Cranbrook.
North America Stone applied to extract a granite sample from the Lynch Creek area. After speaking with members of the community and personally visiting this area on May 12 and 13, it has become apparent there are environmental concerns with the application.
1. Proximity to water
The application indicates that there are no proposed stream crossings or work in/around water. However, the route to remove the granite crosses a small stream several times. This small stream drains directly into the Granby River. The applicant should be required to include a management plan, which should describe how the integrity of the riparian area would be maintained.
2. Impacts to drinking water
The application indicates that the proposed activities do not take place in a community watershed and the source is not a local source of drinking water. As such, the applicant is not required to submit a contingency plan for restoring potable water in the event any activities adversely impact water quality and quantity. The applicant should be required to notify residents and the regional health authority at least 48 hours prior to the start of activities.
The project is scheduled to occur in the time period of highest surface run-off flow into the Granby River (May to June), which increases the likelihood of contaminated run-off from the project’s activities. Adverse impacts to domestic drinking water quality from contaminated run-off into the Granby River at the Lynch Creek site are possible.
3. Species at Risk
Western skinks, Western rattlesnakes and Rubber Boas are all known to occur in the Grand Forks area. The rocky habitat in the project area is suitable to support these species. If these species are present, destruction of any portion of the open rocky outcrop at the Lynch Creek location would have adverse impacts on the local population. The project area should be surveyed for a minimum of one season to confirm whether this area is being used by these Species at Risk.
Elizabeth Vincer, School of Resource and Environmental Mgt, SFU