Panel rejects Digby quarry proposal

A proposed megaquarry in Nova Scotia's Digby County should not go ahead, an environmental reportreleased Tuesday says.

The reviewpanel said theWhites Point quarry and marine terminal project would undermine and jeopardize the community's visions and expectations, and lead to irrevocable and undesired changesin the quality of life.

In addition, it said, the proposed quarry would likely cause unjustified adverse environmental effects.

The panelrejected the proposalby Bilcon, a subsidiary of New Jersey-based Clayton Concrete, Block and Sand, to quarry basalt rock out of about 120 hectares of a 150-hectare site at White's Cove.

Bilconwantsto shiptwo million tonnes ofrock a year for the next 50 years to the United States.

Federal Green party leader Elizabeth May, who made a presentation at the public hearings, praised the panel's decision.

"This is the most authoritative, conclusive rejection of a project in the history of Canadian environmental assessment," May said.

The three-person panel, struck by the provincial and federal environment ministers,went even further, making several recommendations that have broader implications for development.

For example, it suggested the province develop and implement a comprehensive coastal zone management policy.

It alsourgeda moratorium on any new development proposalsfor the North Mountain in the Annapolis Valley until new guidelines are created,a moveone environmental grouphad been calling for.

At the moment, only quarries that are larger than four hectares require an environmental assessment in Nova Scotia. The review panel suggested assessments for all quarries, no matter what their size.

Ministers to review report

Both the federal and provincial environment ministers have up to 60 days to respond to the report.

Nova Scotia's environment minister, Mark Parent, saidhe willreview the panel's recommendations and make a decision later this fall.

"I've had a quick glance at it but I need to take my time to digest it fully," the minister said.

Don Mullin,a vocal opponent of the quarry project who lives near Whites Point, said it would be "political suicide" for the Nova Scotia government to ignore the report.

"I'm delighted that not only Digby gets protection but the North Mountain gets protection, too," Mullin said.

Bilcon iswaiting to hear from the two environment ministers.

In a statement, Paul Buxton, Bilcon's project manager, said the company is "extremely interested in hearing the ministers' decision in the days ahead."

The quarry andmarine terminal would employ34 people, and Bilcon would use local products and services whenever possible, the company said in its release.

Supporter wants jobs

That's why Cindy Nesbitt wants the project to go ahead.

Nesbitt, whose family runsa local gas station, said she welcomes the jobs and benefits the quarry would bring.

Supporters of the proposed project are planning a rally Saturday in Digby.