Project Approach and Schedule

Lehigh intends to submit a Master Site Development Plan (MSDP) and concurrent Land Use Amendment (LUA) application to Rocky View County (RVC) for approval, following an inclusive planning and engagement program. Lehigh will work closely with RVC, the community, and relevant approving authorities to establish baseline and application requirements.

The planning process will occur in a phased approach, as follows:

Phase 1 Project Initiation (Winter 2019 – 2020)

Establish technical study scopes, acquire seasonally available baseline data, initiate project launch and public engagement, develop preliminary Mining and Reclamation Plans.

Phase 2Create and Refine Mining and Reclamation Plan (Spring 2020)

Analyze findings from baseline data, work with the community to refine the Mining and Reclamation Plans, determine mitigation measures based on study findings and public engagement, and prepare preliminary application requirements.

Phase 3Create, Refine and Submit MSDP and LUA (Fall 2020)

Develop and submit MSDP and LUA to RVC, continue to notify and engage the community.

Phase 4 Application Decision (Winter 2020)

RVC determination

What are aggregates?

Aggregates are rock products like sand and gravel. Aggregates are non-renewable, natural resources that are crucial to the construction of modern infrastructure such as roads, bridges, homes and buildings.

A Mine Plan is currently under development and will dictate the methods and order of operations at the site. The Mine Plan will inform the Land Use Amendment Application and Master Site Development Plan.

The Scott Property lands will be progressively reclaimed to agricultural use as operations progress. Another favourable end land use could be accommodated, including residential or non-residential uses, public amenities, parks, trails, community features, or infrastructure facilities pending further input from the community and RVC.

What makes this application different?

The most significant change to the project design compared to previous submissions is the introduction of an aggregate conveyor system. Lehigh is proposing to incorporate a long-distance conveyance system that would eliminate the need to put haul trucks on the road. The conveyance system will consist of an above-ground, covered conveyor belt that will transport aggregates away from the site via a leased right of way. The conveyance system will be separated from roadways with a berm. On site operations would include extraction and pre-processing, and all material would be conveyed to Lehigh’s existing Spy Hill site for processing and sale.

This investment makes this application different than any other put forward in Rocky View County or the Calgary region to date and is a clear example of how we are striving to meet our 2030 Sustainability Commitments. To learn more, please visit www.heidelbergcement.com/en/sustainability-commitments-2030.

By eliminating the need to transport material by truck, the Scott Property will have no impact on traffic safety, will produce less dust, noise, and emissions, and causes less impact to RVC residents.

Several other mitigation measures are being considered for the Scott Property project.

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The Site

Scott Property and Proposed Conveyor System

The following map illustrates where the Scott Property is located relative to major transportation networks and population centres. It also highlights the right of way for the proposed conveyor system. The conveyor would transport aggregates from the Scott Property to Lehigh’s Spy Hill operation.

Project Team and Composition

A comprehensive team of experts has been assembled to undertake the planning process, baseline and technical studies at the Scott Property to support a robust assessment and application. The following studies will be prepared in support of the application:

  • Market Assessment
  • Biophysical Assessment
  • Historical Resources Assessment
  • Surface and Groundwater Impact Assessment
  • Noise Impact Assessment
  • Air Quality Impact Assessment
  • Visual Impact Assessment
  • Traffic Impact Assessment
  • Fiscal Impact Assessment
  • Cumulative Impact Assessment

Responsible Neighbours

Lehigh intends to design an operation that is environmentally responsible, meets or exceeds all relevant regulatory requirements and incorporates mitigative solutions where possible based on feedback from the community. We are committed to a performance standard based approach to inform application development and cumulative impacts management.

We acknowledge and appreciate the time invested by the Bearspaw community on this project and other aggregate initiatives to date. We will continue to refer to past engagement findings to guide our next steps. Your input has been invaluable.

Project History

In 1994, Lehigh submitted its first Land Use Application to Rocky View County (RVC) to develop the Scott Property which was 320 acres at the time. Although an extensive public engagement program was implemented and mitigation commitments were offered as part of the project, RVC Council ultimately denied the application. At that time, RVC approved a similar application for another aggregate operation in the area.

In 2010, Lehigh prepared and submitted another application for the entire Scott Property (600 acres). Mitigation measures and engagement efforts were enhanced to address community interests, however RVC rejected the application.

In 2016, Lehigh explored the opportunity to submit another application for Scott Property. Some environmental and baseline studies were initiated, and some public engagement was completed, however Lehigh temporarily stopped the project as RVC developed and refined its Aggregate Resource Policy (ARP). This policy had potential to significantly affect the outcome of the Project, therefore further development and investment into the site was put on hold. RVC officially cancelled the ARP in September 2018 and shortly after the County brought forward another motion to develop an aggregate policy and procedures document. This policy was also cancelled in early 2019.

Going forward, all aggregate projects in RVC will be evaluated by the County on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the County Plan and other applicable statutory documents and regulatory requirements.     

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