Plans to open a quarry to provide rock fill for Giant Mine remediation is facing backlash after residents began noting its proximity to a popular walking trail leading from the Vee Lake Road.
City council approved second reading of a bylaw Feb. 24 that would allow a leasehold on the land from the GNWT at the city's northern boundary. The proposed quarry is only 0.5 kilometres from Ranney Hill -- generally considered the tallest natural landmark around Yellowknife.
City council's third reading vote is expected to come at at its regular council meeting, Monday.
The proposal was submitted by Det'on Cho Construction, a subsidiary of Det'on Cho Corporation, earlier last month.
John Henderson, chief executive officer of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation-owned company, asked the city to lease the land, which is unsurveyed Commissioner's Land. The territorial government would then have to sub-lease the lot to the company so that it can provide fill over the next decade for city road projects, including the Giant Mine Remediation Project.
No city councillors to date have opposed the quarry.
The territorial government, along with several businesses and organizations, including TerraX Minerals, NWT Mine Training Society, Acasta Heliflight and the Yellowknife Scouts, have spent the last couple years improving the trail with gravel, benches and signage for the enjoyment of residents and tourists alike.
Local historian Ryan Silke, who will be voicing his opposition to council on Monday, wrote to Yellowknifer to say he is against the proposal based on its proximity to the Ranney Hill lookout - "one of the few established hiking trails outside of the city boundaries."
"A quarry along the granite bluff that extends south from Ranney Hill will be an eyesore, source of dust and noise pollution for users of the Ranney Hill trail," he wrote. "The currently unobstructed view south to the city from the hill will now be an open pit mine. Who wants to summit Yellowknife's tallest point and see that?"
Silke also said the project will present safety hazards on the Vee Lake Road due to higher volume of haul trucks travelling through along the windy gravel road.
Silke also questioned the viability of selling rock fill to the federal Giant Mine remediation project team.
"Det'on Cho, the project proponent, suggests that the Giant Mine remediation project will be a customer," he wrote. "I suggest that the city be in contact with the remediation project team to confirm their plans for borrow source."
Other prominent Yellowknifers took to Facebook to voice their opposition to the proposed quarry. Lawyer Garth Wallbridge stated he doesn't think there needs to be another quarry in the city.
"We do not own the land," he wrote. "We are stewards for the generations to come. All uses that scar the land need to be for the benefit for all."
Former city councillor Dan Wong also had similar sentiments in his opposition to the plan.
"The first of many stages but disappointed this bad idea would even get this far," wrote Wong.
Petition
Silke started a Change.org petition called "City of Yellowknife: Say NO to Quarry near Ranney Hill hiking trail" to oppose the project and as of Thursday afternoon, it had 73 signatures.
Toni Riley, manager of communications with the Department of Lands, confirmed that the government is reviewing a quarry lease application from the city.
"That means that, we are in the very early stages of reviewing the application," she stated. "This process includes ensuring: completeness of the information, status and availability of the parcel for the intended purpose, and determining, then conducting, the appropriate consultation to be undertaken."
She stated that the process could take up to six months, assuming there are no complications.
Full letter
Silke's full letter can be read below:
To whom it may concern,
I was very surprised to hear in the news this morning that City Council is in support of a quarry off the Vee Lake Road.
I trust the City and administration has done its homework on this proposal and has considered the wider adverse effects this will create to the Vee Lake Road corridor, a popular recreational area for Yellowknifers.
The following are my concerns:
1) Ranney Hill - The current location of the quarry is just below the Ranney Hill lookout. This is one of the few established hiking trails outside of the city boundaries and has recently been upgraded with sign posts, a parking lot, and gravel fill to make it more accessible. It is a beautiful natural area and a jumping off point for exploring this interesting volcanic belt. A quarry along the granite bluff that extends south from Ranney Hill will be an eyesore, source of dust and noise pollution, for users of the Ranney Hill trail. The currently unobstructed view south to the city from the hill will now be an open pit mine. Who wants to summit Yellowknife's tallest point and see that?
2) Traffic - Haul truck traffic on the Vee Lake road is a safety hazard given the high volume of residential and tourist traffic on this narrow, dirt road with sharp turns and poor visibility.
3) Giant Mine Remediation - Det'on Cho, the project proponent, suggests that the Giant Mine remediation project will be a customer. I suggest that the City be in contact with the Remediation Project Team to confirm their plans for borrow source. As part of the Water Licensing process and environmental hearings, Giant has committed to sourcing quarry material on-lease (within the Giant Mine lease boundaries). Is this area considered on-lease? Quarry locations has been the source of much debate and discussion, a process I have personally been involved in. Det'on Cho casually mentioned this proposal at a meeting in early December 2019 and it was news to everyone at the table, and not a part of the scope of work being reviewed by the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board. Again, I suggest that the City confirm with Giant Mine remediation project if they are planning to source borrow material from Det'on Cho's quarry location.
The city currently has two commercial quarry areas within the boundaries of Yellowknife: Kam Lake and the Dump area. Does Yellowknife need a third? And if it does, why does it have to be at Vee Lake? Given the importance of this area to land users in the city, and the potential of this area for tourism, it should remain free of industrial activities. A quarry at this location would not bode well for our tourism slogan 'Spectacular NWT'.
Thank you for your consideration,
Ryan Silke