Upper Sackville Gravel Pit Application Denied

Environment Minister Don Downe has rejected an application to expand a gravel pit near the former Highway 101 landfill in Upper Sackville.

"After carefully considering the evidence, I have decided the risks to the environment are just too high to allow blasting so close to a landfill," said the minister.

Riverland Developments Ltd. wanted to amend its current operating approval to allow for explosives. The current departmental approval, and a development agreement issued by the municipal government, specifically rule out any blasting on the site.

The environmental assessment found insufficient proof blasting could take place without risking the integrity of the adjacent landfill. The landfill is now closed, but there are multiple environmental safeguards in place, including leachate collection and treatment systems, geotextile liners, methane gas collectors and engineered wetlands.

"We cannot ignore the potential risk to the environment," said Mr. Downe.