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Nova Scotia Environment approves Whycocomagh Quarry expansion project in Cape Breton

Nova Scotia Environment approves Whycocomagh Quarry expansion project in Cape Breton

ROSE COURAGE: Quarry would wreck iconic Cabot Trail view

WHYCOCOMAGH, N.S. A quarry in Cape Breton has been granted a second life expectancy.

After Nova Scotia Environment approved the proposal, a proposed expansion of the Whycocomagh quarry will be allowed to proceed.

The quarry, which is located at 5505 Whycocomagh Port Hood Road Churchview in Inverness County will be increased from four to ten hectares. The existing quarry is in good condition. been in operationThe quarry expansion is expected to last more than 20 years with a maximum project life of 40 years.

The Post reached Gary Rudolph from Dexter Construction for comment. He declined, however, and he referred to the Post. online project documentsAvailable for review.

The first registration for the quarry expansion proposal was made in 2005. UmweltprüfungDexter Construction Company Ltd. was located in Bedford on November 3, 2021. Dec. 23, 20,21 saw the approval of the proposed expansion.

All quarries larger than four hectares must be registered with Nova Scotia Environment for an environmental assessment. The proposal to expand the quarry was open for public comment up until December 3, 2021.



Tracy Barron, Department of Environment and Climate Change communications adviser, stated that many factors are considered when conducting an environmental assessment of a quarry. These include location, potential effects on wildlife and habitats and any concerns raised by the Mikmaq during public comment periods.

The expanded quarry will produce aggregate products for road construction. Construction is expected to start during the 2022 construction season. During active years, production volumes are approximately 50,000 tonnes.

The Cape Breton Post reached to the Atlantic Chapter of Sierra Club Canada for comments on the Whycocomagh quarry expansion. Tynette deveaux, communications coordinator for Sierra Club Canada, replied with the following comments.

Deveaux stated that every day, Nova Scotian government gives green light to corporations to extract resources from the ground, even though they are harmful to the environment or worsen the climate crisis.

Locals are being told that they must allow clearcutting and mining in their communities if they want to have jobs.

Deveaux stated that the Sierra Club would like to see a government treat the province’s Climate Change Reduction Act and Environmental Goals as something to be respected and followed.

Deveaux said that officials might have taken the time to examine it more recently and realized that they have a responsibility for approaching this request for quarry expansion with fresh eyes.

How does the quarry expansion reach the sustainable prosperity goals outlined in (the Act)? What evidence is there to support the claim that it is based on Netukulimk and circular economy principles, as outlined in the act?

Jessica Smith is a Cape Breton Post reporter covering news, environment, and climate change. Follow her on Twitter @CBPost_Jessica

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