Residents concerned over quarry expansion

‘Way of life’ expected to be greatly affected if move is approved

Residents in Little Dyke are concerned about the proposed expansion of quarry operations in their lakeside community.

Ian McFadden is a member of a residents’ association worried about the peace and quiet, water quality and increased truck traffic if OSCO Aggregates gets approval to dig into Pit No. 4 on Little Dyke Road.

“Little Dyke is a beautiful lake in a region where there aren’t a lot of lakes,” says McFadden.

“Until recently, we considered it a safe place, peaceful and calm and you can sit on your deck and only hear the eagles flying over – it’s a way of life we’re talking about.”

OSCO Aggregates has been mining in the Glenholme area for 30 years. They employ 15 people, full-time and seasonal, in the area.

OSCO registered the expansion for environmental assessment (EA) on May 15 asking to be able to mine on another 30.5 hectares.

According to the EA, the company will carry out reclamation in stages, filling areas back in, as they complete aggregate removal in sections of the project area.

In the registration documents for the EA, the company says the expansion will allow them to continue mining between 50,000 and 250,000 tonnes of aggregate a year.

McFadden says they already hear the existing rock crusher, diesel motors and the “beep-beep” of back-up alarms.

“The extraction will be closer to homes than it has ever been and we can’t get the kind of assurances we need,” he said.

The EA does suggest the company will try to do all their rock mining for the year in a seasonal window chosen in consultation with the residents.

McFadden says the new site will also require OSCO to drive the aggregate a further distance meaning truck traffic will using more of the Little Dyke Road.

“All those large trucks and front end loaders means increased traffic on the road and that poses a safety concern to people who are used to walking and biking along this road,” says McFadden.

Even though the EA says the company will remain 0.5 metres above the water table, McFadden says the residents’ big concern is water supply and they are worried digging might alter the water table or pollute it.

The public can submit comments and concerns for the EA until June 14 and the Minister of Environment will decide if the project can be granted conditional environmental assessment approval before July 4.

For more information on the Environmental Assessment see the Department of Environment’s website:

https://novascotia.ca/nse/ea/ glenholme-pit-4-aggregate-extraction/.