The North Raven River, and two conservation properties could be threatened by two open gravel pits. Border Paving are moving ahead with plans to develop new gravel pits on two quarter sections in close proximity to the conservation sites which are jointly owned by the Alberta Fish and Game Association, Trout Unlimited Canada and the Alberta Conservation Association. The plan is for Border Paving to open both pits, and run them alternately as gravel demand dictates.
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The biggest concern as I see it, is the potential negative effect of wet gravel extraction on ground water flow, and therefore on the flow of springs (water volume, consistency and quality), the source of the North Raven River. For the Leavitt Pit, the direction of surface water flow to the NE is clearly shown (Map below), and ground water flow is expected to follow the same pattern.
Area Map
.jpg "Proposed gravel pit mine location")
What needs to happen to ensure ground water flows are not altered is to have an Environmental Assessment be completed which will Map the current ground water flow in the area, determine a baseline when it comes to water quality and survey aquatic species at the two conservation sites. As well, provide information on fish spawning of the upper reaches of the North Raven River. An additional concern is the increased potential for flooding from the Clearwater River, which has broken it’s banks twice in the past 12 years.
According to some tourism numbers there are about two-thousand angler visits to the North Raven River every year, if we get this wrong this would be a blow not only to fish habitat but local business that benefit from folks like me spending money in the area for the privilege of being able to fish this unique river.
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As an angler and frequent visitor to this area I would like to invite other anglers to send a letter of concern to:
Environment and Parks Regulatory Approvals Centre
5th Floor, South Petroleum Plaza
9915 108 Street
Edmonton AB T5K 2G8
Phone: (780) 427-6311
Fax: (780) 422-0154
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
File number 0039057
You can also send questions comments or concerns to:
Meghan Soehn
Amisk Creek Aggregate Consulting Ltd.
Phone (403) 896-6073
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
