Clearwater County Highlights October/November | Page 9

NOV. 2016 |

9

Gravel Pits and Reclamation
Clearwater County operates
10 active gravel pits and three
stockpile sites, which create
a reserve of aggregate for 100
years, based on average current usage of approximately
200,000 tonnes per year.
Gravel is used to maintain,
rebuild and construct County
gravel roads.
In 2016, Clearwater County
utilized the Burnstick, Tatlock
and Frisco pits, developing
and crushing 191,000 tonnes
of gravel and 13,000 tonnes of
winter sand.
Prior to developing a gravel
pit, the County is required to
obtain approvals from Alberta
Environment and Parks (AEP).
Within the approval process,
at a minimum, the County
must meet all environmental
and water act requirements.
Renewals (dependent on
gravel pit) are required every
five to 10 years.
Gravel pits are developed
and mined in phases no bigger
than five hectares, as per AEP
guidelines. Each phase is excavated to the depth of aggregate deposit and mined before
proceeding to the next phase
- at which time the County
performs progressive reclamation. The objective of the AEP
guidelines is no disturbed area
greater than one phase.
Reclamation consists of
returning the area back to its
natural state. Currently, Clearwater County pits are returned
to forestry, grazing or day use
areas with watchable wildlife
and a body of water.

Reclamation of Smith Pit – tree planting

Frisco Gravel Pit
www.clearwatercounty.ca