Photos of gravel pits turned into fish ponds should not fool anyone. Gravel developers, including municipalities, like to generate media hoopla whenever an old pit is tidied up or turned into a picnic ground, hoping people will believe all damage has been repaired.
Recent articles inThe Western Producerhave given an overly benign view of gravel pits and their regulation, or lack of regulation, in Alberta.
It might be argued that a few gravel pits scattered across the landscape in years past did not cause undue harm. But now our land and water resources are being increasingly compromised by population growth, industrial activities and climate change.
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Not all municipalities in Alberta have enacted responsible land use planning, and gravel developers are now threatening to destroy extensive areas of farmland, floodplains and groundwater aquifers.
Floodplains and aquifers perform valuable ecological services including but not limited to filtration of water and moderation of flows in associated creeks or rivers. Once these areas are degraded or destroyed, the natural services are difficult or impossible to restore. Where farmland is turned into pits and eventual end pit lakes, valuable productive soils are lost.
In Alberta, not only is the onus on the public to acquire information regarding aggregate development, but worse, the onus is also on the public to ensure that relevant legislation is enforced. Residents across the province are being forced to hire lawyers to fight irresponsible gravel development proposals.
One has to wonder what exactly was meant by the Alberta Environment employee who said, “we’ll take care of the environmental things.…”
No question, many, many depleted pits across Alberta need to be cleaned up. And where excavations do not extend into the water table, it is often possible to reclaim the land to near original capacity.
However, fancy landscaping and a fancy name will not restore natural value and function where aquifers are excavated. Much greater care and attention must be given to planning and location of new gravel developments to ensure that local values and public water resources are protected.
Donna MendelsohnFort Assiniboine, Alta.
