The Municipal District of Bighorn is seeking answers from the Province after frustration climaxed in recent weeks with the Lafarge Exshaw cement plant.
Council unanimously agreed to prioritize arranging a meeting with the Southern Alberta director of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD), to discuss possible compliance, enforcement and regulatory permit amendment options regarding the Exshaw plant.
Coun. Paul Ryan brought forward the motion for consideration at the regular meeting on Tuesday (Aug. 12), which had been sparked by a hydrated lime release at Lafarge that dusted the adjacent hamlet with white powder on July 21 around 10:30 a.m.
“(This went from a) nuisance issue to a health issue. (I) don’t know what the Province is going to do about it, if anything,” Ryan said.
Council discussed whether the best route would be approaching ESRD representatives in Calgary for a more intimate conversation, or request ESRD visit an MD regular meeting so the public can attend if they wish.
Coun. Paul Clark said regardless of the whereabouts, the MD should try to schedule a meeting as close to the incident as possible.
Reeve Dene Cooper said it would be best for everyone to engage the ESRD on behalf of the residents and industrial workers in Exshaw.
“I’m afraid of a second incident,” Cooper said.
“I am too,” Ryan said.
A report on Ryan’s motion for consideration also stated, “Fugitive dust from Lafarge has been an increasing concern in the community for the past couple of years. The Municipal Planning Commission raised the issue with Lafarge over two years ago during a permit application process.”
The report reads the MD has made reasonable attempts to have the situation improve at the plant and provincial regulators level, “without any apparent improvement.”
The hamlet’s community has shown irritation with the neighbouring company in the past and health concerns and further displeasure among residents has continued in the previous few weeks.
Al Doll, co-owner of Heart Mountain Store, said he believes the community is exasperated with what’s been happening the past three to four years.
“I’m disappointed with another incident and ongoing fugitive pollution. ESRD needs to get involved,” Doll said.
Rose Reid, a librarian in Exshaw, experienced a short-term reaction, she believes, as a result of the hydrated lime release.
“I noticed dust all over everything, and (later that day) I developed a very sore throat and had a sore on my tongue with yellow pus the next morning,” Reid said.
Reid said she is feeling quite fine now and is positive the release was an accident, but she would appreciate being informed if any future incidents occur.
Council believes a meeting with ESRD can be achieved upon request in the upcoming weeks.
