Sturgeon County and the gravel industry faced an impasse when an application for a development permit for the next stage of gravel extraction was denied on appeal. At stake on the one hand was a major source of quality gravel in the Calahoo-Villeneuve area, located northwest of the growing Edmonton Capital Region. On the other side was a community which feared the potential adverse effects of further sand and gravel extraction. The decision of the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board in November 1999 cited concerns regarding potential adverse effects on groundwater quantity, groundwater quality, traffic patterns, the rural environment and natural systems. Faced with this situation, Sturgeon County implemented a strategy to resolve conflicts. The first step was to initiate a planning process leading to the preparation of the Calahoo-Villeneuve Sand and Gravel Extraction Area Structure Plan. The purpose of the Area Structure Plan was to provide a framework for development to balance community, industry and environmental interests. The second step was to establish a community review committee, not only to represent the community but also to seek mutually acceptable solutions. The committee also included representatives from industry and government. The third was to retain a multidisciplinary consulting team, UMA Engineering, to provide planning, hydrogeological and environmental expertise for the preparation of the Area Structure Plan. Effectively, the planning process was a partnership between the County, the local community, industry and the consultant. The process involved extensive formal and informal public dialogue with residents of the potentially affected area, as well as groundwater, biophysical and land use analyses. For the covering abstract o this conference see ITRD number E211271.
Samenvatting