In Alberta, aggregate is defined as “any sand, gravel, clay, or marl that is excavated from a pit, whether in a processed or unprocessed form, but does not include reject.” Aggregate resources are essential building materials used in the construction of infrastructure such as roads and buildings. Extracting and processing aggregate typically involves the use of large, heavy machinery, which can have potential impacts on nearby landowners.
In the Province of Alberta, the regulation of aggregate development is split between the province and municipalities. Rocky View County has committed to developing a plan that balances the need to protect the environment and quality of life of residents, while also weighing the importance of aggregate as a resource. This webpage provides all relevant information for ongoing or proposed aggregate development in the County.
View Aggregate Resource Map
Disclaimer: The information within this map is being shared to create greater awareness of planning and development applications submitted to the County. The County endeavors to deliver accurate, comprehensive and timely information. However, the quality, accuracy, and completeness of information presented within the map cannot be completely verified as it originates from diverse sources, collected and maintained for varied purposes. The County reserves the right to modify any content on this map without prior notice.
Concerns with a Pit?
If you have concerns about a specific pit, please click the button below to provide detailed information. Please be as specific as possible to help the Aggregate Inspector understand and address your concerns effectively.
Approval Process
- Proponent Seeks Provincial Approval
Under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (“EPEA”), the Alberta Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas (or its successor agency) is responsible for reviewing applications for aggregate extraction pits. These applications are evaluated against the Code of Practice for Pits (Alberta), which outlines the requirements for provincial approval. The Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas will also consider the Conservation and Reclamation Regulation (Alberta) when making their decision.
If the project involves withdrawing water, altering natural water flow, or draining a water source, approval under the Water Act (Alberta) is also required.
Note: Pits under 5 hectares (12.35 acres) in size are considered to be Class II pits and are exempt from meeting provincial regulations.
- Proponent Undertakes Pre-Application Engagement
While seeking provincial approval, a proponent may also begin the municipal approval process. In accordance with the County’s Aggregate Development Performance Standards, a proponent is required to conduct public engagement prior to submitting a redesignation and master site development plan (“MSDP”) application. The proponent must:
- Hold at least one open house to present the project and gather feedback. The proponent shall follow the outlined mail-out and notification included within the Aggregate Development Performance Standards document.
- Offer additional engagement opportunities for residents who can’t attend the open house.
A complete Engagement Summary shall be included as part of an application package that details the feedback received from the community and how the concerns raised are being addressed in the application.
- Submission of Redesignation and MSDP Application
Once public engagement is complete, the proponent may submit a redesignation and MSDP application. In the County, these applications are submitted as a single package. A redesignation application seeks to alter the land use designation provided within the County’s Land Use Bylaw (“LUB”) to a district that permits aggregate extraction. Moving forward all redesignation applications for aggregate development will have to apply for the Special – Natural Resource land use district. The purpose of an MSDP is to provide guiding policies for the design and operation of the subject lands to allow the public and Council to have a clear understanding of the future vision of the land. The County’s Municipal Development Plan (“MDP”) has been updated to include clear requirements for proponents when submitting an MSDP application that draw on the County’s new Aggregate Development Performance Standards.
- Public Hearing Held for Redesignation
In Alberta, a public hearing is required before Council can give second reading to a bylaw that adopts or amends a statutory plan or the Land Use Bylaw (LUB). For example, amending the LUB may involve redesignating or rezoning specific parcels of land. Public hearings provide an opportunity for community members to express support or raise concerns about a specific application. The public can participate by submitting written comments or video/audio recordings in advance, or by speaking directly to Council in person at the hearing.
As noted above, all aggregate-related redesignation applications must redesignate the lands to the Special – Natural Resources land use districts.
- Development Permit Application
If Council approves both the redesignation and MSDP application, the proponent may then submit a development permit application. To provide greater clarity, the Land Use Bylaw (LUB) has been updated to include specific requirements for development permits related to aggregate operations. The County’s Development Authority will review the development permit application and decide whether to approve or refuse it. If approved, the Development Authority may impose conditions that must be met prior to the permit being issued, as well as ongoing conditions for the duration of the operation. These ongoing conditions will be based on the County’s Aggregate Development Performance Standards.
- Operations and Monitoring
Once a development permit is approved and the prior-to-release conditions have been met, the proponent may begin operations in accordance with the ongoing conditions outlined in the development permit. To ensure continued compliance, the County may conduct up to four inspections of the site within a 12-month period, as set out in the Aggregate Site Monitoring Bylaw. These inspections are intended to verify that the operation is meeting all permit conditions. In addition, proponents are required to submit annual reports to the County, in accordance with the reporting requirements outlined in the Aggregate Development Performance Standards.
- Site Reclamation
After a site has been fully extracted, a proponent would then begin the process of reclamation. The proponent would be required to complete the reclamation of the site in accordance with the Reclamation Plan that was submitted to the province as part of the provincial approval process. When reclamation is complete, the proponent may apply for a Reclamation Certification under the Conservation and Reclamation Regulation. If an inspector approves the reclamation, the operator would obtain their Reclamation Certificate and all securities returned.
- Transition of Land
At the same time as applying for a Reclamation Certificate, the proponent must also apply to amend the LUB to reflect the new post-reclamation land use. All costs associated with this process are the responsibility of the proponent.
Municipal and Provincial Regulation Library
In Alberta, any proposed aggregate pit larger than 5 hectares (12.35 acres) requires approval under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (“EPEA”). Applications are reviewed to ensure they meet the standards outlined in the Alberta Code of Practice for Pits.
If the application is approved, the pit is registered with the province and must operate in accordance with provincial regulations.
The Code of Practice for Pits sets the mandatory requirements for proposed pits 5 hectares (12.35 acres) in size on private land. The legislation requires applications for proposed pits to include specific detail on the operations of the pit, conservation and reclamation requirements, along with the reporting and record keeping expectation of pits.
The Conservation and Reclamation Regulation requires proponents of all pits sizes to submit applications to obtain provincial Reclamation Certificates once a site has been fully extracted and the site reclaimed in accordance with a previously submitted Reclamation Plan. The Regulation sets out what must be included within an application and requires an inspector to view the site before providing the Reclamation Certificate to the proponent and returning the security deposit submitted as part of the initial application proposal.
If a proposed pit requires water to operate, or if the activities are expected to disrupt natural surface or groundwater flow, the proponent must obtain approval under the Water Act.
This approval is separate from any approvals issued under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.
Under the Community Aggregate Payment Levy Regulation, municipalities in Alberta may pass a bylaw requiring operators to pay up to $0.40 per tonne of sand and gravel extracted. The purpose of the levy is to offset the impact of hauling activities on local roads. Pits owned or leased by the Crown or a municipality are exempt from the levy.
The County’s Municipal Development Plan outlines high-level policies that guide aggregate development within the County. As part of aggregate specific policies locational criteria that restrict aggregate extraction near sensitive areas, such as:
- Lands identified as residential within an approved Area Structure Plans
- Designated provincial parks
The Municipal Development Plan also outlines the application requirements that must be submitted with redesignation and master site development plan applications for new or expanding aggregate pits.
The County’s Land Use Bylaw has been updated to include specific requirements for development permit applications related to aggregate pits. Additionally, the Special – Natural Resource (S-NAT) land use district will be utilized as the appropriate zoning for aggregate developments.
The new Aggregate Site Monitoring Bylaw introduces regular inspections as a condition of approved development permits for aggregate operations. Under the bylaw, the County has the discretion to schedule up to four inspections over a 12-month period. The newly established Aggregate Site Inspector would look to confirm an aggregate pit is adhering to the conditions of an aggregate pit. If the County is able to substantiate complaints against a site, the Aggregate Site Inspector may visit the site on an unscheduled basis. The cost to complete the inspections would be covered by the pit operator themselves.
The Aggregate Development Performance Standards specify in detail, the requirements that must be submitted as part of an application package. Technical documents may include impact assessments, mitigation plans, and monitoring programs to ensure a site does not exceed the prescribed thresholds established in the document. A section has also been added that outlines the engagement requirements for applications.
Please note that acoustic standards are still being considered and refined. Any reference of acoustics standards, definitions, or methodology has a draft wordmark on said page.
In accordance with provincial regulations, the County has enacted the Community Aggregate Payment Levy Bylaw. This bylaw requires aggregate operators to pay the maximum allowable levy of $0.40 per tonne of sand and gravel extracted.
This levy helps the County offset the infrastructure and road impacts caused by hauling and heavy truck traffic.
Aggregate Development Performance Standards
The Aggregate Development Performance Standards document details the technical documentation required as part of application packages submitted to the County. The Aggregate Development Performance Standards includes 14 technical sections and 3 operations / management sections that shall be adhered to and include the following:
Prior to a redesignation and MSDP application being submitted to the County, the proponent shall conduct public engagement in accordance with the methods outlined in the document. A proponent shall hold at minimum one open house for the community to learn about the project and provide feedback. Alternate engagement should also be provided for residents unable to attend an open house.
As part of the application package, the proponent is required to submit a complete Engagement Summary detailing the feedback received as part of the engagement process and the steps that will be taken to address any concerns. The proponent shall also include an Engagement Plan to detail how the community will continue to be engaged for the duration of the operation.
Proponents are required to submit a:
- Noise Impact Assessment that details the anticipated noise impact on nearby residential and institutional buildings from the operation. A Noise Impact Assessment will consider the cumulative impact from nearby sites.
- Noise Mitigation Plan that details both hard and soft measures that will be implemented to limit the noise impact on nearby residential and institutional buildings.
- Noise Monitoring Program that will monitor a site to ensure the noise thresholds are not being exceeded. The County may require continuous monitoring or intermittent monitoring, and report will be required by the County for review. The noise monitoring will be completed in accordance with the methodology provided.
Proponents are required to submit a:
- Traffic Impact Assessment that details how the anticipated traffic generated from the site will impact local roadways. The Impact Assessment will provide recommendations on upgrades to roadways and intersections to accommodate a proposed site.
- Traffic Management Plan that includes measures and commitments to ensure the quality of life is not materially impact for those who use roadways identified as haul routes but also live next to haul routes.
Proponents are required to submit a:
- Air Quality Impact Assessment that details the anticipated air quality impact on nearby residential and institutional buildings from the operation. The Impact Assessment should consider how the measures outline in the Air Quality Mitigation Plan will improve any expected air quality. An Air Quality Impact Assessment should also consider the cumulative impact from nearby sites.
- Air Quality Mitigation Plan that details both hard and soft measures that will be implemented to limit the air quality impact on nearby residential and institutional buildings.
- Air Quality Monitoring Program that will monitor a site to ensure the noise thresholds are not being exceeded. The County may require continuous monitoring or intermittent monitoring, and report will be required by the County for review.
Proponents are required to submit a:
- Stormwater Management Plan in accordance with the County’s Servicing Standards.
- Groundwater Investigation Report of the groundwater quality and level of the site and hydrologically connected lands.
- Groundwater Monitoring Plan is required where extraction will take place below the water table.
- Surface Water and Groundwater Mitigation Plan will detail all measures that will be used to preserve water quality both above and below the surface.
Proponents are required to submit an:
- Erosion and Sediment Control Strategy to identify measures to preserve topsoil and reduce dust generation along haul routes.
Proponents are required to submit a:
- Final reclamation plan for the site once aggregate extraction is complete.
Where a site sits inactive for one year outside the general fluctuations of activity, an interim reclamation plan shall be submitted.
Proponents are required to outline the specific hours of operations anticipated within the site. The hours of operation must lie within the prescribed hours of operations below:
Extraction and Processing Operations
- 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday to Friday;
- 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturdays; and
- No operations on Sundays or Statutory Holidays.
Hauling Operations
- 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday to Friday;
- 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturdays; and
- No operations on Sundays or Statutory Holidays.
Maintenance Operations
Where required and the County is notified at least 48 hours prior, a proponent may complete maintenance work outside the provided hours of operation.
In addition to the above, a proponent shall also submit technical documents in accordance with the requirements outlined in the below subject areas:
- Visual and Landscapes
- Agriculture
- Weed Control
- Natural and Historical Environments
- Geotechnical
- Erosion and Sediment Control
- Lighting
- Site Security and Emergencies
- Reclamation
- Technical Assessments
- Annual Reporting
To View the Aggregate Development Performance Standards, please click here.
Please note that acoustic standards are still being considered and refined. Any reference of acoustics standards, definitions, or methodology has a draft wordmark on said page.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Alberta, the province splits aggregate pits into either Class I or Class II dependent on the size. Pits under 5 hectares or 12.35 acres in size are classified as Class II Pits and are therefore exempt from meeting provincial regulations. Pits may also be classified by private compared to public pits.
To support a more proactive approach to compliance, the County has introduced the Aggregate Site Monitoring Bylaw. This bylaw establishes the role of an Aggregate Site Inspector, who is authorized to conduct inspections of aggregate sites.
Under the bylaw, development permits for aggregate operations will now include conditions allowing the Aggregate Site Inspector to schedule up to four site visits per 12-month period. These visits ensure that operators are complying with the conditions outlined in their development permits.
If a violation is identified during an inspection, the County will work with the operator to determine a reasonable timeframe for corrective action. If the issue is not resolved within that timeframe—or if the operator refuses to cooperate—the matter will be referred to the County’s Enforcement Services Department for further action.