The provincial government has put the kibosh on a proposed gravel pit near the end of Lakeshore Road.

In a letter obtained by Castanet, Minister of State for Mining, Kevin Krueger, says the Chief Inspector of Mines turned down the application because of safety issues along Lakeshore Road.

"The Chief Inspector, in his deliberations, has judged that the risk to public safety outweighs the value of the resource," Kruger states in the letter.

"The concerns noted in the deliberations relate to the lack of sidewalks, small road shoulder area, no guarding, lack of sight lines and significant presence of recreational (parks and beach accesses) facilities along the road."

Residents have been fighting Eagle Mountain Aggregate since the company applied for the gravel pit near the end of Lakeshore Road in February 2007.

Both the City of Kelowna and Regional District of Central Okanagan have opposed the gravel pit.

Kelowna City Councillor, Brian Given, who has worked with the residents in their fight against the pit, says the decision is a good example of multi-governmental cooperation.

"I think this is a good example of three levels of government working together, the Regional District, the City and the province in presenting a really strong case," says Given.

Area resident Peter Pazdernik says the neighbourhood is in shock following the decision.

"I don't think it's really sunk in yet. We're in shock," says Pazdernik.

"It will be nice to enjoy the park without rumbling gravel trucks going by."

Krueger also says in his decision that the application could still be considered at a later date.

"The proponent was further advised that should alternate access be available or if the City of Kelowna were to upgrade Lakeshore Road to acceptable standards to accommodate industrial traffic, the application would be considered further at that time."

Pazdernik says he believes the issue is dead, despite the possibility of it being re-opened should road access approve.

"The potential of Lakeshore Road being totally upgraded is minimal, I don't think it's going to happen anytime soon. As for alternate access, there is really no other access to the site which was the issue with the application to begin with. There's one way in and one way out."

Meantime, Krueger says the decision, at this time, is in the best interest of the people of Kelowna.

"The Ministry of Energy Mines and Petroleum Resources recognizes that there is a significant demand for aggregate and that it is a valuable resource for the province. Public safety, however, is a key consideration in these deliberations as is environmental sustainability, access to the resources and competitiveness."

Link: Minister to tour pit location Link: Gravel pit opposition growing