Leaving a Footprint

[cakadu]

After reading a newspaper article about the increase in drilling activity in gas wells in our county, I have to say that I am getting more concerned about what we are doing and the footprint we will be leaving behind.

In 2001, there were 30 coalbed methane wells in Red Deer county. Fast forward to 2005 and there are some 3300 wells being drilled this year alone.

Now, as residents of the county, we are supposed to be happy about this because it is bringing about $4.5 million in revenue. What about the damage it is doing to roads and infrastructure and the costs of repairs? What kinds of studies are out there regarding the long-term effects of all this drilling activity?

If as cowman has pointed out, they are able to drill at 3 different levels, what will this do to the formations and what is the potential for water at various levels to mix?

Weak spots can be created and often it takes time for there to be a problem, sort of like a hairline crack in something. At first it may not present any kind of problem at all, but as time goes by, things start to happen.

Even people who work for these companies are getting concerned about the long-term effects of all this drilling.

The county is having yet another study done to determine how best to preserve ag lands. What happens when the ag land that they are trying so hard to preserve is rendered unusable because of rights of way by oilies as sagewood called them.

What about the EUB, NRCB - and any of the other organizations that are supposed to be regulating the exploitation of our natural resources - keeping pace with all the changing activity?

Are there any benchmarks available to measure change?

There are so many questions that need to be answered and I fear that we will find "answers" once we have reached the point of no return.

What sort of legacy are we leaving for the Kids and grandkids of today? Cowman, I think of your new little grandson - what are we leaving for him? (how is the little tyke by the way?)

Maybe I am a socialist at heart, but I can't help wonder how making the few rich is going to help us all.

[tower]

I think it would be helpful if we determined what the footprint is that we've left over the last 50-60 years. Knowing what we know now about the resources, and the impacts of their use, how much for example of our total oil have we exploited.

What percentage of the marine life potential do we still have today, Of the forests that were around then, what's left. How deep is our soil in comparison and how nutrient laden is it?

Other than that my take on it is that if we look at a map of North America and envision two feet with the toes of one foot from Vancouver down the coast to California and over to Texas, and the toes of the other from T.O. through Montreal , New York, and on down to Florida, then the rest of us are under the Heel.

[cowman]

Well Linda, I don't have a solution to this problem...wish I did.
As I have said before, the county is quite happy to have all that money to blow, but likes to pretend it is concerned. I suspect if they were really concerned, they could bring in bylaws/zoning etc. to keep the coalbed industry under control? However the fact is the Alberta government of the day are a bunch of "money junkies" and they need their fix? So count on it happening and if the rural peasants complain...well too bad!
It is interesting you call yourself a socialist...so do I! Only I'm sure not a NDP type socialist!
I also wonder how the county can continue to do everything in their power to stop development "to save the farmland and the farmers" while at the same time bending over backwards to help the coalbed companies? Don't they know that when these guys get through there won't be anything left? If you don't have water, you really don't have anything?
The roads issue is really a red herring? The fact is our roads were built for horses and wagons! Silage trucks, manure trucks, B trains and those big hay trucks do a lot more damage than a coalbed drilling rig? The fact is our federal, provincial, and municipal governments have not kept up the infrastrucure? I believe that is the number one priority of government...keep up the infrastructure so business can prosper and flourish? In fact I believe that should be about their only responsibility. Unfortunately all levels of our government have got their noses in our business and their hands in our pocket!
Grandson is fine and growing like a weed!
Oh, by the way, how do you like the County tax hike? If they are making this windfall gas profit how do they justify hiking land taxes? Could you imagine, or hazard a guess, what the tax bill might be without the $4.5 million they get from the oil and gas companies? The out of control spending by the county has been masked very well by the gas boom?

[cowman]

Linda, just a clarification on the NRCB 's ability to regulate resource projects.

The NRCB Act provides the ability for the NRCB to regulate non-energy natural resource projects that require an Environmental Impact Assessment and are designated as projects that fall under the NRCB jurisdiction by Cabinet.

Recreational projects such as the Castle Mountain Resort near Pincher Creek and the Highwood/Little Bow water diversion project are a couple that I am aware of.
Others include the Agrium Fertilizer expansion near Fort Sask. I mention these just so you are aware that the NRCB does not have the jurisdiction to become involved and regulate projects until they are directed to them by government.

[cakadu]

Thanks for the clarification emrald. The alphabet soup I was throwing out was to show that there are so many organizations - government and non-government, private etc. - that are supposedly looking out for our best interests and making sure that things are done the way they are supposed to be and according to the legislation of the day.

Interesting analogy tower and it is something that I have been asking about for a while now. How do we know what we are doing and how to proceed if we don't have an idea of where we are at right now. Same with the feedlots down south - the powers that be keep telling us that there hasn't been any harm, but how do we know unless we can get some sort of baseline established.

The Ag Policy Framework is calling for benchmarks when it comes to biodiversity, and the rather startling thing there is that it says there is to be a 6% increase - well from what? They have no idea of what is there now.

As for the tax rate - again the County is saying that we should be happy that they are just keeping it to 1.5% this year and it is only the 2nd tax increase in 7 years. Something isn't quite right here is it.

Actually, this county and it's development is going to be one to watch because Harry Harker is moving towards development rights - either purchasing them or transferring them. The gist of development rights is that if my property is expected to stay as agricultural land, then I need to be given some sort of compensation for the "development rights" that I am giving up. That also means that those living along the highway #2 corridor will get to do things that I won't have a chance to do.

The other area that will be extremely interesting to watch is the proposed Area Structure Plan that will be drawn up for Gleniffer Lake (or the reservoir for the dam, which is what it really is.) I get a little nervous when I hear that the Lake has the potential to become the biggest town in the county. Given all the problems they are having with the developments around Sylvan Lake, I should think that RD County will be very prudent in what it moves ahead with and how quickly. The other big thing is that they should be more than willing to keep the whole process open and transparent and talk with the residents of this area on a regular basis.

Businesses in Spruce View (such as they are) have already paid the price for not dialoguing with the local residents who have supported them for years and for generations. Progress isn't necessarily a good thing.

Glad to hear the grandson is doing well cowman. Before long he will be getting into everything he can get those little fingers onto.

[cakadu]

Linda, CASA has now a CFO component and is doing some work regarding air quality in conjunction with confined feeding operations.

The long term impact of new and expanding feeding operations be they feedlots, hog barns, dairies etc. is addressed in the technical requirements of the Agricultural Operations Practices Act.
Existing operations are another matter. Ongoing monitoring and audits of existing operations by the NRCB is what is currently taking place.

The Glenifer Lake project is interesting, will it include any type of water diversion ? If so, then concerned citizens may be able tolobby their MLA and government to ensure that an EIA is required.

Development rights is an interesting concept. I would certainly think long and hard before I took the cash in lieu of my ability to develop my land particularly in the area adjacent to the Highway 2 corridor.
I think that people like Harvey Buckley was years ahead of his time in initiating the Action for Agriculture organization and continuing to provide information to the public on land uses and alternatives to caving in to development.

Have you ever seen Dr. Brad Stelfox's presentation ? He has a wonderful presentation on the foot print left by various industries in Alberta, and the impact of the growth of cities such as Calgary.
If you haven't, log onto Forem Technologies website and you will get some excellent background info on the work done by Brad. He was an Emerald Award Winner twice over the past few years.

[bombay_43]

Tower, you ask some questions that might be partially answered on the web site that r.reid posted under "oil".

www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/

I found this website to be quite scarey, but quite frankly very believable. I would like to know, just as r.reid, what does everyone else here think of this?

If in fact it is true, that oil and gas production peaked in the year 2000, and no alternate energy sources are actively being sought, it seems very plausible that 2005 could be the last year of "LOW" fuel prices!

This website looks as thought the movie, Mad Max could become reality! I am suffering from Information Overload!!!

[cakadu]

I have seen Brad's presentation a couple of times - it is mind boggling when you look at the total picture. I wish more people could see what we are doing and take action to at least mitigate what we are doing.

The issue of TDR's and PDR's is going to be coming more onstream as time goes by, which is why the whole process in Red Deer County is one that should be watched. I'm not entirely convinced that this is the way to go, but will keep an open mind to see if I can get a better understanding of it all.

I am not certain if there will be any water diversion from Gleniffer at this point - at least we haven't really been told of any. That's why I think this whole ASP will be something that one has to keep both of their eyes on.

I hope to become more involved with Action for Agriculture - it seems to me that this group does know what it is talking about and I know that Harvey has been doing this for years.

[cakadu]

Linda, I think that Brad's presentation should be part of the curriculum in schools so our future generations have some idea of the impact of resource extraction and other industries on the provincial landscape and landbase.

You have every right to ask questions at a public hearing on the Glenifer Lake ASP. Ask if water diversion is considered and also ask what environmental issues have been addressed eg: long term impact.

Martha Kostuch was involved in the proposed health resort .project on Abraham Lake and she made a presentation to Clearwater County regarding the environmental impact of the project. There apparently were far too many unkowns about the project and it was turned down at the development stage by the county.


I am interested in knowing what the sewage disposal method is at Glenifer Lake. Is it hooked into municipal services or does each site have onsite disposal or holding tanks ?
With any project that is remote from urban centres I am always concerned about waste disposal. That concern extends to multi lot country residential parcels that do not have municipal services.
In some areas the parcels are large enough to accommodate onsite sewage fields and water wells, which is a concern. Imagine twenty plus water wells in the same aquifer and twenty plus sewage fields or mounds in the same location. That shoudl be as much of a concern as the impact of feedlots, hog operations etc.

[cakadu]

Linda, just another comment regarding the Glenifer Lake ASP. If there are enough individuals within the County, and particularly in that particular division, I am sure you could make enough noise and get enough signatures on petitions to force the county to do an Enivironmental Impact Assessment on the area even if there is no water diversion planned.

[cowman]

The sewage from the Glennifer Lake resort is trucked up to Penhold and put into the Red Deer sewage system! Obviously very costly!
The Klein governments $3 billion announcement for infrastructure spending means RD County will recieve $18.5 million over ten years, therfore $1.85 million a year? So $1.85 million plus $4.5 million in extra oil and gas revenue....and they still need to increase the tax rate 1.5%? hmmm...I wonder where all the money went?
The independent audit of the county office showed the county was right on budget at $6.2 million? How come I have a paper clipping of the original announcement, before they started building, that the total cost would be right around $2.5 million? I guess if you can change the budget whenever you need to then you have no problem with an audit? How about the $375,000 for a bigger parking lot? Got to have some place for the bloated staff to park, right?
The idea of paying off the peasants so they won't develop their land is better than just shafting them I guess? I still believe the "planners" need to realize that Red Deer County is basically changing from an "agricultural county" to a playground for the wealthy! They have an amazing ability to see the "light"....right after some sleazy speculator buys out a farmer!
One thing we do know for sure...people want access to water, a mountain view, and all the amenities! That is going to happen, no matter what? I can see a day when Glennifer has a bigger population than Sylvan Lake?

[cowman]

cowman, hauling sewage from holding tanks is costly but hopefully the user pays and this service is not provided on the backs of the rest of the taxpayers.
Garbage disposal is another issue as municipalities face the facts of landfills that are rapidly coming to the end of their lifetime.
In my municipality any of us that choose to may obtain garbage pick up at our gate but we pay for the entire cost of the service.
We can arrange to rent a garbage bin or have gate pickup of four garbage cans plus bags of garbage. My cost is $36.00 per month, up from $20.00 per month six years ago, but still a lot less than the cost of a garbage bin which would be around $85.00 per month.
The development of rural municipalities isn't cheap, and as far as I am concerned developers should provide the infrastructure, and upgrade municipal roads if necessary.
The population seems to be moving toward lifestyle living, adjacent to golf courses, lakes etc. and where there is a demand someone will provide the product.

[Horse]

Cowman you seem to have a hate on for everyone that wastes money you feel is your taxs I have a hate on for everyone that wastes my money including oil companys and gov, and when I see the oil companys and the way they operate I think they could teach the liberals a few tricks ,I guess it all dpends on who butters your bread.
Emerald do you think the economie can sustain itself the way its going with people driving hundreds of miles per week to work and building 2000ft plus houses and all the amenities .
I think a large percentage of population are living on credit and will be like a neibour of mine that told me it took him 5 yr to go broke but he now has to move on.

[Horse]

Horse, frankly I think that people that build 'hotels' for houses, have a huge mortgage and drive miles to and from work every day are totally NUTS, but its their business.
The fact of the matter is that people are demanding this sort of lifestyle and in most cases both partners in a family are willing to work to have that lifestyle.
My idea of living the life of luxury is having the back forty to walk in peace and quiet....and I wouldn't trade that lifestyle for the biggest mansion in the fanciest country residential subdivision in AB.
Just came in from checking the cows out on the pasture and got soaked in a nice shower.....that means more to me than playing on the ritziest golf course in existence but to each his own.

[cakadu]

Cowman, seems to me that I read recently in the County news that they are putting in new/additional pipelines at Gleniffer. I'll have to go and look at the paper again to see exactly what it was, but they were advertising it and the whole ball of wax.

The real meat to all of this is that the residents around the lake should realize that in order to have that lake (or more correctly in this case the reservoir for the dam) be in the condition that they want it in to be able to enjoy it, that they will need to help look after it. That means no "golf course" lawns that they put too much chemical on not understanding that the drainage ends up somewhere, sewage systems - whatever they may be - should go beyond the current legislation etc.

Some people around here have bought lots at the lake on speculation that they will someday realize "big bucks" for them. Many of the lake residents do not want the county getting too involved as that means more money going to the county.

If they want buy-in to this concept about growing the lake and the potential for it to get really big, then the best solution would be to be upfront and transparent about what they want and include the permanent residents of the area from the outset. We aren't going to stop the development from happening, but we can sure try to do what is best for everyone.