This 2023 public meeting regarding the proposed pit drew a standing-only crowd and a dozen speakers. Grant Deme photo
A public meeting’s set for September 11th to discuss the proposed sand extraction pit in Lanark Highlands
Cavanagh Construction hopes to operate the pit on Barbers Lake, and their proposal saw many revisions which were presented in January.
Among the other changes of tonnes extraction from 1,000,000 to 500,0000, the area of the pit has been reduced from 50.6 hectares and 35.1 hectares, to 37.6 hectares for the licensed area pit and 28.4 hectares for the proposed extraction area respectively.
In addition, the January revisions included removing aggregate recycling activities from the pit operation, including asphalt and concrete recycling and storage, cutting the maximum hourly number of trucks leaving the pit from 30 to 15, and reducing the proposed operation hours of the pit to remove overnight operations and restrict operating equipment before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m.
But what remains is the request to make extractions below the water table, which remains a sticking point for Carolee Mason and fellow members of the Friends of Lanark Highlands.
The forthcoming meeting is the resumption of the original one held in March 2023, which saw an overflow of residents flood council chambers.
Though that was over two years ago, Mason says the time passing hasn’t weakened the opponents.
Concerns from the Friends also persist around the risk to at-risk species, though Mason acknowledges Cavanagh has addressed some of their concerns, as well as dangers around potentially releasing uranium and related radioactive materials.
The meeting takes place at the McDonalds Corners Agricultural Hall beginning at 6 p.m. 88.1 myFM will be there and provide full coverage.
Here our entire interview with Mason below.
Story by Grant Deme