CORNER BROOK, N.L. — The provincial government has released a quarry expansion project from further environmental assessment, despite concerns from the Town of Hughes Brook.
Corner Brook Pulp and Paper is proposing to develop a 14.1-hectare quarry as a continuation of the Baker’s Brook quarry, which is actually located on the outskirts of Corner Brook's municipal boundary in the Wild Cove area.
According to its environmental assessment report, the company is seeking to maximize rock resource extraction to supply local markets.
The Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment released the environmental assessment subject to four conditions.
The company will have to submit an environmental protection plan, a viewscape management plan, and establish buffer zones for bird nesting sites as well as for waterbodies and wetlands.
The quarry, while located within City of Corner Brook's boundaries, is in close proximity to Hughes Brook. In fact, the City of Corner Brook had to agree the mitigation strategies outlined by the company's environmental assessment registration document were sufficient to address the city’s environmental concerns.
Upon the recommnedation of city staff, Corner Brook's city council approved the measures during a public meeting held Jan. 13.
Back in November, the Hughes Brook town council held a public information session to seek input from residents on the quarry expansion. During the session, a number of concerns were raised, including potential impact on the nearby salmon river, local wildlife, the town’s water supply and the health of residents.
The Town of Hughes Brook submitted a letter to Municipal Affairs and Environment Minister Derrick Bragg, listing these and several other concerns around the proposed expansion, Dec. 3.
Despite the conditional release of the plan, the Hughes Brook town office informed The Western Star there were still concerns. No one was made avaiable for an interview as of deadline as the town council had not yet met to discuss the matter.
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The Town of Hughes Brook has raised concerns about Corner Brook Pulp and Paper’s request to expand the Baker’s Brook quarry, but the City of Corner Brook is giving it the go ahead.
During the city’s Jan. 13 public meeting, the council accepted a recommendation from staff to provide a positive referral regarding the company’s environmental mitigation strategies for expansion of the quarry, located on the north shore highway.
A motion was passed to inform the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment the mitigation strategies outlined were sufficient to address the city’s environmental concerns.
Mayor Jim Parsons clarified that this means the proposal meets the city’s development regulations.
“It’s to the extent it affects our development regulations,” Parsons said “The ultimate judge of this will be the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment.”
Parsons said staff didn’t have any concerns about the expansion and it was zoned correctly.
Corner Brook Pulp and Paper is proposing to develop a 14.1-hectare quarry as a continuation of Baker’s Brook quarry. According to its environmental assessment report, the company is seeking to maximize rock resource extraction.
The quarry, while located within City of Corner Brook's boundaries, is in close proximity to Hughes Brook.
Parsons said he reached out to the mayor of Hughes Brook to ensure the city understood any concerns the town’s residents may have.
Back in November, the Hughes Brook town council held a public information session to seek input from residents.
During the session, a number of concerns were raised, including potential impact on the nearby salmon river, local wildlife, the town’s water supply and the health of residents.
The Town of Hughes Brook submitted a letter to Municipal Affairs and Environment Minister Derrick Bragg, listing these and several other concerns around the proposed expansion, on Dec. 3.
The town also asked if the timeline of the expansion could be extended and if the town and residents could be notified via automated emails concerning any developments with the proposal.
The City of Corner Brook was provided with a copy of the same letter.
Corner Brook Pulp and Paper has owned and operated the Baker’s Brook rock quarry for decades, said Kruger communications manager Paule Veilleux-Turcotte.
The quarry was first granted to the company in the 1930s.
According to Veilleux-Turcotte, the company uses the quarry to supply civil construction material to the public and private sectors in the Corner Brook and surrounding area.
In terms of the issues expressed by the town, the paper company said it is working with the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment and would not be making any further comment.
No one from Hughes Brook town council was available for comment prior to publication.