WATCH: Hard fight against Spallumcheen rock quarry

SPALLUMCHEEN — They’ve had their ‘say’, but residents opposed to a proposed rock quarry in Spallumcheen believe it’s a done deal.

Residents peppered the owner of the proposed quarry at a townhall meeting Wednesday night — expressing their concern about how blasting could damage their wells and dust from the quarry could affect their health.

The property for the proposed quarry is zoned ‘large holding’, meaning the owner has the right to mine the land and crush the rock on site.

But in order to access the rock, he has to blast — up to three times a year and it’s that blasting that has upset a number of residents — fearing it will damage their wells.

Ed Marriott and his wife Debbie live next door to the proposed site.

“It’s going to be blasting over and over, maybe only three times a year, but if a blast goes bad we’ll have no water.”

Marriott is also worried about how the dust from the quarry is going to impact his family’s health.

He says his family moved to Spallumcheen for the quality of life.

Marriott says that will take a plunge as will his property value if the quarry is approved.

“Our quality of life is basically ruined, plus our property is going to go down.”

Bruce Schartner is the owner of the proposed quarry. He says safety is his number one priority.

“I do want to be a good neighbour.  I do want to be a respectful neighbour. My concern is safety just like theirs.”

An official with the Ministry of Mines was also present at Wednesday’s meeting.

He said he didn’t know when a decision on the proposed quarry would be handed down.