A bid for gravel extraction in a BX neighbourhood has sustained a major blow.
The Electoral Area Advisory Committee does not want an application from Mertion Excavating to remove gravel from a Brentwood Road property sent to the Agricultural Land Commission for consideration.
“There is no merit in terms of improving agricultural land,” said Mike Macnabb, BX-Silver Star director.
Mertion Excavating wants to remove about 60,000 metres of gravel over five years from the two-hectare property.
However, a 655-name petition opposes gravel removal for a number of factors, including a potential impact on nearby BX Creek, noise, dust and traffic.
“The public has spoken loudly about this issue so we said no,” said Macnabb.
However, EAAC is only an advisory committee and can only make recommendations so the Regional District of North Okanagan board could still decide to forward the application to the ALC.
If there isn’t regional district support, Macnabb doubts the ALC will endorse Mertion’s proposal.
However, there is the possibility that the Ministry of Mines could still give the green light to extraction.
“They could trump anything but I’m not sure about that,” said Macnabb.
“If it happens, it will happen at the hands of the ministry and no one else.”
EAAC is also proceeding with a bylaw that would regulate the removal and depositing of soil.
No one from Mertion Excavating could be reached for comment.
