HomeMy WebLinkAboutPOL-035-24 Dust Abatement Program
COUNTY OF NEWELL - POLICY HANDBOOK
POLICY NO: POL-035-24
TITLE: DUST ABATEMENT PROGRAM
ADOPTED: February 15, 2024 (C-41/24)
SUPERCEDES NO: 2021-PPW-052 and 2021-PPW-053 PAGE NO: 1 of 2
POLICY STATEMENT: The Dust Abatement Program is a service offered to provide an
economical solution to reduce dust created by traffic on County maintained gravel roads.
POLICY PURPOSE: To establish service standards for the County Dust Abatement Program,
inclusive of Residential and Non–Residential applicants, and operationally driven dust abatement
undertaken by the Municipal Services department.
_______
DEFINITIONS:
Residential Applicants are Applicants that apply for Dust Abatement on County maintained
roads adjacent to their dwelling.
Non-Residential Applicants are Applicants that apply for Dust Abatement on County maintained
roads at any location within the County.
POLICY GUIDELINES:
1. Service Requests for Dust Abatement
a. Applications for Dust Abatement must be received on or before 4:30 pm of the last
business day in April of the current year, to be included in the current year’s program.
Applications received after the deadline may be included at the discretion of the CAO or
designate.
b. A cost-recovery fee, as per the current Schedule of Fees Bylaw, must be paid at the time
the application is submitted to the County. Applications will not be processed until payment
has been received or prior arrangements have been made for payment.
i. Residential Applicants pay a subsidized rate for up to 300 meters as established in
the Schedule of Fees Bylaw. To receive the subsidized rate, there must be at least
one habitable dwelling, as per assessment, on the parcel adjacent to the road to be
treated. Additional meters, and late applications as per 1.a above, will be charged the
Non-Residential Application rate.
ii. Non-Residential Applicants are not eligible for the subsidized rate.
c. Residential Dust Abatement will be applied at a minimum of 6 meters wide for a minimum
distance of 100 meters. For applicants with frontages adjacent to County roads that are
less than 100 meters, the frontage of the parcel will be the minimum distance required.
d. Applications submitted adjacent to three (3) digit gravel (secondary) highways will be
accepted, however will only be completed once the County has received authorization
from Alberta Transportation to place the dust abatement. The Department shall seek
authorization from Alberta Transportation on behalf of the applicant.
POL-035-24
DUST ABATEMENT PROGRAM Page 2 of 2
e. The County may shift applicants dust abatement areas to eliminate 50 meter or less gaps
between other dust abatement areas.
f. Dust Abatement applied on County roads by others must be pre-approved by the Director
of Municipal Services, and/or designate, and at no cost to the County.
2. Operationally Driven Dust Abatement
a. Municipal Services may budget for road segments to receive dust abatement in locations
where it addresses safety concerns or is of overall benefit to the community. Example
locations include roads:
i. Within Hamlets and up to 800 meters on gravel roads from boundaries entering
Hamlets and Urban Municipalities.
ii. Adjacent to parks, community halls, public campgrounds, cemeteries, and historical
sites for the length of the parcel.
iii. Intersecting any paved surface (50 meters minimum).
iv. Requiring frequent grading (i.e. busy intersections with stop signs).
v. Adjacent to paved roads where dust may impede sight lines/safety of motorists on
paved roads.