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Asphalt plant approved

City council approved plans for a temporary asphalt plant at the north end of the city Monday night. Castle Rock Enterprises was granted a temporary permit to produce asphalt at a quarry near Haeckel Hill.

City council approved plans for a temporary asphalt plant at the north end of the city Monday night.

Castle Rock Enterprises was granted a temporary permit to produce asphalt at a quarry near Haeckel Hill.

When it was first proposed, several residents expressed concerns about potential air and water contamination from the plant.

But there’s no cause for concern, said Ted Danyluck, Castle Rock’s vice-president of operations.

The plant the company is considering meets or exceeds not only the Yukon’s air emissions standards but BC’s, which has some of the most rigorous standards in the country, he said.

After the first city council meeting, Castle Rock invited anyone with concerns to contact them.

But they only got one email, said Danyluck.

In approving the plan, council required the company follow through with the purchase of the advanced plant presented in its application.

Council also directed Castle Rock to develop an emergency response plan in the event of an accident.

In addition, they also asked administration to produce a report on the operation of the plant in a year’s time to ensure Castle Rock complies with the noise bylaws.

The noise bylaws are the only part of the operation the city has jurisdiction over. Ensuring compliance with air-quality regulations is the Yukon government’s responsibility.

Council recommended residents keep in contact with Brad Cathers, the local MLA, to ensure the government is monitoring those emissions.

The asphalt plant will be used to produce material for paving the first two phases of the Whistle Bend subdivision.

Castle Rock has a $12.9-million contract to do that work.

Contact Josh Kerr at

joshk@yukon-news.com.