Dear Editor:
When industry and residential areas encroach on each other, there starts to be issues that really need to be resolved, or frustration and anger will start to manifest.
Riverview is no exception to this, and the noise levels at night from the local sawmill are starting to manifest itself into anger and frustration. Perhaps this is the feeling that Bragg Creek has as it seems to be a production first mentality and to heck with anyone else.
It is great to see the lumber economy revive and local industry prosper, but there needs to be some thought given to how added production and shifts will affect the bordering neighbourhoods. People realize that there will be noise generated during the day from activities needed to keep production flowing, but at night people are trying to relax and sleep so that they too can be productive the next day.
Noise exemptions are granted by the Town of Cochrane legislative services for a fee. However, in the case of it affecting local residents, it would have seemed prudent for both town council and the sawmill to consult with the affected parties to explain how they propose to manage the noise levels and minimize the impact to residents. Even a brief outline in the two local papers would have helped with a number to call if there were any questions.
Residents have brought their concerns to the mill, but there does not appear to be any actions resulting other than increasing production so that both sawmill and planermill run 24 hours. Could a night shift be avoided through running five or seven days rather than the current four day/night shifts? Has anyone actually done noise measurements during the night (or day for that matter) to see what the levels are and where they are coming from?
The town was quick to want further studies for the wind turbine, which noise was considered to be a factor, but where are they for this?
This is not a new situation, as many communities experience conflict as added growth starts to surround a local industry that has been in business for many years. However, there needs to be more thought given to issues such as noise, air quality, water quality, etc. for the residents if the town wants to continue to reap the benefits of collecting from both sides.
Tracey Beeching
