Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) directors were expected to vote Sept. 8 on the regional district’s submission on the environmental assessment for a proposed aggregate mine at McNab Creek.
The Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) working group has set Sept. 15 as the deadline for preliminary comments on Alberta-based Burnco’s application to extract gravel from the 70-hectare (173-acre) property on Howe Sound. The EAO will accept final submissions up to the Sept. 28 close of the 45-day window for public comments on the application.
SCRD planning staff are proposing a wide-ranging list of recommendations to the EAO including: more thorough studies and surveys on glass sponge reefs that might be within 200 metres of any part of the project, air quality and noise monitoring stations in or near McNab Estates and in the northern part of Gambier Island, and maintaining recreational access to existing anchorages in the area.
The suggested points also include that the SCRD supports Burnco’s commitment to local hiring and procurement and the company’s commitment to reaching a benefit agreement with the McNab Estates strata council.
Concerns have already been raised by some SCRD directors and area residents about noise, dust and additional shipping traffic in Howe Sound.
Burnco also has a rezoning application before the SCRD for the processing facility that will have to be built if the project goes forward. There will be a public hearing as part of that process.
The EAO has scheduled an information session on the environmental permit on Sept. 13 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Gibsons and Area Community Centre.
