Area marked in red shows site of proposed  processing  site – image courtesy  Regional District  Fraser Fort George

Prince George, B.C. – The proponent who  would like to  use a  vacant former mill site in McBride  to process rock,   has a lot more work to do  before  the rezoning  application  can move  forward at the  Regional District of Fraser Fort George.

The proposal would see rock trucked to the site,  processed on the site,  the  product then moved by truck, and eventually by rail.

The project  has produced  mixed feelings in the community.

A public hearing on the proposal was recently held in McBride. 165 residents attended,  another 97 letters  concerning the project were introduced.  While the residents recognize there is a need for  industry, for  jobs in McBride,  some  are very concerned about the project kicking up silica dust and what that dust could  do to  the health of neighbours.

The  application was  presented to the Regional District`s Board of Driectors yesterday.   Instead of giving the  project  third and final reading,  which would have been the next steps in the process,  the Board  rescinded the  second reading, which had paved the way for that public hearing,  and passed a number of new motions.

One motion  called for the  bylaw to be amended  so that  there would be no asphalt production  on the site,  and no rail building materials.  That  motion was approved.  So a second  public hearing  will be held.

Valemount Mayor, Jeanette Townsend   says the residents have raised some serious concerns about  health  impacts of silica dust “It is absolutely imperative that adequate research be done to address those concerns.”

Northern Health had  been asked for its  thoughts on the  project  “Northern Health’s concerns for this referral encompass air quality, noise control, and drinking water” reads the response.   Northern Health recommended  a dust control plan be developed, a noise  control plan to reduce disturbing the neighbours,  and, depending on where the  yet to be processed rock is coming from  some controls in place to ensure rock that may  have come from a contaminated site,  doesn’t leach into drinking water sources.

The  applicant is also being  asked to present a noise and dust control plan to mitigate the impacts of this  industry.

It was also suggested the  applicant hold a public information meeting  to  address the concerns from  area residents.