Comment:
HAZCO's answer to that question requires detailed comments. Bulk handling of any aggregate or solid will result in the formation of dust (gravel, sand, coal, sulphur).
It is ludicrous to compare the dust generated by the handling of gravel, sand, coal and sulphur without assessing and comparing the respective volumes and dangers of dust from such sources. While coal dust is dangerous and has killed many people through explosions, it is in comparison to sulphur dust relatively harmless as far as dust generated in equal amounts in open storage facilities is concerned.
While coal dust is relatively harmless with respect to environmental pollution, dust generated from the handling of gravel and sand is vastly more harmless than either coal or sulphur dust. Neither coal-, gravel- nor sand-dust stink, and while coal dust may create almost negligible amounts of sulphur compounds that deteriorate the environment, sand and gravel dust create none of those sulphur compounds, while sulphur dust creates nothing but such compounds. Hazco recognizes that there will be some localized impact immediately adjacent to the proposed facility but believes that this impact will be limited to a 200 metre radius around the facility itself.
Beliefs are opinions. As stated previously, the residents of Lamont County don't wish to deal with opinions in relation to the proposed HAZCO sulphur storage and management site. They wish to deal with facts. The belief that HAZCO's site's "impact will be limited to a 200 metre radius around the facility itself," is a rhetorical propaganda tool that, if accepted, will ultimately absolve HAZCO from any responsibility if their "belief" is to be proved wrong and when objectionable environmental impact occurs in the vicinity of their site.
For instance, in the case of Shantz, the stink of sulphur is apparent as far as 2 km away from their far-better-designed and -constructed facility. When HAZCO's handles and stores its product out in the open air, dust and smells will become problems far beyond the HAZCO site boundaries. Given that there is greater than 600 meters from the facility to the property boundary in all directions Hazco does not believe that there will be any offsite impact. In addition, Hazco will be required to complete a yearly approved soil monitoring program that will be reviewed by Alberta Environment.
Right. That is just a belief, an opinion, something that is not binding in any fashion, not even a promise, that the smell of sulphur and whatever else may result will not have an impact beyond the property boundaries. Keep in mind that when a sulphur fire happens at HAZCO's proposed site, sulphur dioxide gas will not pay any attention to HAZCO's beliefs their property boundaries being magical barrier that will prevent SO2 from putting the surrounding area at risk.
When a large enough fire happens, one of the impacts will be that all residents within the vicinity must be evacuated, for the simple reason that otherwise they would be at risk to lose their lives. When a fire happens, our friends and neighbours that volunteer to keep us safe and sound by being members of the Bruderheim or Lamont fire crews will have to put their lives on the line to cope with the consequences of HAZCO's alleged beliefs having been proved wrong. |
