MILLER LAKE WEST: The three appeals lodged against the province’s decision to give industrial approval to Scotian Materials for a quarry in the Miller Lake West area in June have been rejected.
In a press release issued on the afternoon of Nov. 17, Leo Glavine, acting Environment Minister, dismissed the three appeals against the approval. Glavine found that Environment Department staff followed appropriate processes in issuing the industrial approval and dismissed the appeals.
The appeal decisions are available at Goffs Quarry appeal decision.
Glavine’s decision means the company can continue work on a 3.9-hectare quarry in an industrial area on Perrin Drive near Fall River. The project received environmental approval on June 19. Three groups filed appeals of the decision.
The decision to dismiss the three appeals is music to the ears of Scotian Materials president Rob MacPherson.
“It reflects sound, evidence-based decision-making,” said MacPherson in a statement.
Opponents to the Scotian Materials project had filed a Ministerial Appeal in July 2017.
“Scotian Materials has worked hard to follow the rule of law every step of the way on this project,” said MacPherson. “We have tried to be open, transparent and responsive to community concerns. We have made changes when asked to do so, or when we felt it was important to show local residents that we recognized the issues being raised.
“Although the Minister has clearly rejected the point of view advanced by the project’s opponents, Scotian Materials remains committed to operating a safe, healthy, environmentally responsible facility, along with ongoing engagement with local residents through the community liaison committee.”
Local MLA Bill Horne, a staunch opponent who sides with the community in its opposition to the project, said he had a lengthy briefing Friday morning with Nova Scotia Environment where he looked over the decision.
“Although I’m disappointed with the decision to dismiss the appeals, it is important for my constituents to know I sit on the local advisory committee for Scotian Materials,” said Horne. “I will also continue to work with the department to ensure the quarry operates under full compliance with every term and condition in the approval.”
Environment Minister Iain Rankin excluded himself from the decision to eliminate the perception of a conflict of interest. During his time in the private sector, before he was elected in 2013, he worked with the president of Scotian Materials.
The group against the quarry had a judicial review hearing recently. That hearing was related to the community’s right to request a judicial review of the asphalt plant approval. HRM, who issued the approval, did not challenge the community’s interest in the approval.
