Proposed Fall River quarry rejected by UARB

Some people who live near a proposed gravel quarry near Miller Lake are celebrating after the project was dealt a major blow Monday.

Northern Construction, a New Brunswick based company, wanted to build the quarry on hundreds of hectares of landit purchased near Miller Lake.

But local opposition has been fierce. Monday, the Utility and Review Board released its decision to reject the project.

"I started to cry," said Stacey Rudderham, who has been anxiously waiting for the UARB ruling. "It was just an emotional overload, I guess."

Neighbours told the UARB they were worried about possible contamination of their water supply, and the ecological impacts on a nearby wildlife sanctuary.

"Dust, noise it was going to ruin the quiet, nice environment we have to live in," said Deborah Fleet.

The UARB's rejection was the result of an appeal after Halifax Regional Municipality turned down the company's permits.

The local councillor Barry Dalrymple has a message for the company.

"Please, please on behalf of the community and myself, I am asking Northern Construction, they have seen the anger, they have seen the anxiety in the community, please accept the decision.Don't further this with more appeals," he said.

"I don't know exactly what their tactics will be," said Stacey Rudderham. "But they've worked very hard so far to get this to open, so I'm not really secure about them going away quietly."

The company has so far refused to comment to CBC on the decision. Northern Construction has 30 days to appeal to Nova Scotia Supreme Court.