A group of Bow Valley Landowners believes Rocky View County needs to take further steps to determine what areas are suitable for gravel mining.

The landowners who came together to oppose the West Cochrane gravel mine proposal of Burnco believe now is the time for the county to act.

Spokesperson Ann McNabb said their community is happy to have seen the mega pit delayed and appreciate the decision reached by the county council on July 6 on the motion brought forward by Div. 9 councillor Crystal Kissel.

"It would have an extremely negative direction to the beautiful Bow River Valley that we all cherish," says McNabb.  "As Crystal said, many have looked after the valley for over 100 years. Thanks, Crystal."

Before the pit expands from 151 acres (only 10 acres is currently open) to the next 160 acres, McNabb says the group believes the cumulative impact of this pit and other potential pits upstream or downstream need to be assessed.

"We believe it would be valuable for Rocky View to develop an Integrated Land and Water Management Plan to determine areas that are not suitable to gravel and riparian areas that are environmentally sensitive that would result in long-term negative impacts for the greater community."

She says several Bow Valley landowners have been expressing concern since the proposal came forward in 2018.

"There's a lot of opportunity in the area, and Rocky View had not done a plan. Several of the neighbours had asked Rocky View if you're going to make a huge change--a 1,117-acre gravel pit--you really need to plan the area and look at what are the highest and best uses, because, given the current market, this pit could last a 100 years."

She said the county did not proceed because it didn't fit within the plans in the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board.

"So now you're introducing significant change, and that would change the whole valley to more commercial, especially given the gas plant is on the west side."

Expressing appreciation for the effort made by Div. 8 councillor Samanntha Wright to have a third party examine the two water studies prepared for the public hearing, they believe there is merit in having Dr. Jon Fennell develop a test protocol to ensure that the water aquifer and drinking water standards are protected.

It was Dr. Fennell who did complete testing that raised concern over the impact of the operation on the groundwater.

"Now while the gravel pit is just 10 acres, it is really smart to do a study, and be proactive, and provide that to the public. The last thing you want to do is discover that 20-30 years from now you have a contaminated the  water supply for a few million people."

McNabb says a precedent has been established in the county for such testing.

"A group of concerned citizens had required testing of the Cochrane Lake water before it is put in the Horse Creek to prevent the blue-green algae in the Cochrane Lake entering downstream into Horse Creek and the Bow River."   

She said opposition to the mega project was a team effort by several Bow Valley landowners with the support of allies in Cochrane, Bearspaw, and other divisions within the county.