Here’s the schedule, starting tomorrow at the High River Memorial Centre (128 -5th Ave West, High River AB T1V 1M3):
Thursday, Jan. 29
8:30 am - Curtis Bartlett, Big Loop Cattle Co. Ltd.
2:00 pm - Gary Follensbee, Compton Petroleum
Friday, Jan.30
8:30 am - David Hermanson and Kristi Beunder, Alternative routes
2:00 pm - Cam Gardner, MD of Ranchlands
Saturday, Jan 31
8:30 am - To be determined.
As a discretionary participant in the Energy Resources Conservation Board’s hearing process I spent a good 20 minutes speaking on behalf of the Public Interest in preserving Culturally significant landscapes and the safe food supply that they sustain. The ERCB mandate (section 3…) is to determine “what is in the public interest economically, socially and environmentally” I was determined to represent that public interest as best I could since very few of the public are even aware that a hearing is occurring and fewer still realize they could have an opportunity to participate in the decisions making process that affects the future of our headwaters!
Petro-Canada is proposing to build 11 new gas wells west of Longview (very close to the Kananaskis country border and the Grass pass hiking and riding trails) and two new sour-gas pipelines; that will run under the Highwood River, along the edge of Kananaskis Country, across 24 creeks bearing cut-throat trout, south to the hiking areas west of Chain Lakes Provincial Park, (Hailstone Butte, Bear lake area). This region, between highway 22x and highway, is still pristine and very much undisturbed.
Although Petro-Canada would argue that the cattle industry in the area is an industrial disturbance, ecologically speaking the cattle are fulfilling an important role left vacant by the buffalo a hundred years ago. The Fescue grasslands in the area require intensive grazing to do well, this is an adaptation they made to the thousands of buffalo who once roamed the foothills and grasslands freely. The cattle are not an impact but a complement when managed appropriately in this landscape. It is this very dynamic that has made this part of Alberta historically significant to all of Alberta and to Calgaryin particular!
It is throughout the foothills from the Eastern Slopes to highway 2 that the era of the “open range” and the establishment of Alberta’s cattle industry began. Folks like Pat Burns, A.E. Cross, Guy Weadick and more, worked for the big commercial ranches in southern Alberta. Many of these ranches were able to succeed because of the Fescue grasslands, they reduced the need for hay, thereby cutting costs for early ranchers. Today, this landscape, after 150 years of stewardship and productivity by a generation of Alberta Maverick Ranchers, are in danger of being fractured by a massive industrial process. Fifty miles of pipeline has to be trucked in, trenches dug to sink the pipeline down and special equipment hauled in to engineer the low impact sections of pipe that will go under these streams, not disturbing the fish habitat. All this, trucked through the headwaters of multiple creeks that form one of the upstream sources for the South Saskatchewan river basin. A history cut to the roots and loss to rangelands that produce some of the best Alberta Beef. Some agricultural areas are unique in that they are part of a eco-system based management system that serves many green interests. Surely the multiple services that this natural historic and productive eco-system provides are worth more intact, then only in a book. Why? If for no other reason than to understand these green practices and ensure this knowledge is not lost. That we can steward land and gain from it as well keeping those creeks pristine for generations to come.
If you value free range, grass fed beef, Alberta history, safe, clean water and safe recreation areas in southern Albertaplease go to the website www.Petrocant.ca and let our government know your thoughts on what is in the Public interest in managing Alberta’s landscapes,water sources and food industries.
The rules and jurisdiction of the ERCB require that folks must live in the area in order to have standing in the case. Even though this pipeline will go through pristine public lands, which Alberta’s use for recreation, ordinary Albertans.
Julie Walker
Turner Valley, Alberta
Julie Walker, BPE
Program Director
Full Circle Adventures
“Rediscover Your Sacred Nature”
www.full-circle-adventures.com
Dr. Ted Morton,
January 20, 2009
Minister of Sustainable Resource Development,
Government of Alberta,
#420, 10800 – 97th Ave.,
Edmonton, Alberta, T5K 2B6
Subject: ERCB Hearing, Petro-Canada,Sullivan Field, Applications No. 1520388, 1517148, 1520922, 1517151, 1574366, 1574414, 1574409, 1517168, 1517170, 1517160, 1520923
Dear Dr. Morton:
The board of Action for Agriculture would like to submit this letter of support for the landowners of the Pekisko and Sullivan areas that are opposed to sour gas development, between Highways 532 and 541, west of Longview and the Chain Lakes.
We feel that an alternative solution must be found, especially in support of the heritage rangeland and ecological value provided by this landscape. This region, as we are sure you are aware, is one of only few remaining unfragmented and undisturbed areas within the foothills of Southern Alberta. This is a place where agriculture and the natural environment complement one another well. The economic value of this landscape in its current state, predominantly undisturbed native vegetation used for ranching, is significant and long term – carbon sequestration, water filtration, wildlife habitat and livestock forage to name a few. Disturbing this landscape will result in a species mix that will include invasives and will not provide the same ecological services.
To minimize the heritage and ecological impacts, the approach to development on this heritage rangeland must be changed. We must consider the real, long term costs of this project, not just the present day costs for the proposed 11 sour gas wells and associated 56 km pipeline. One of the alternative pipeline routes identified by Petro-Canada would follow the existing “Industrial Corridor” created by Highway 940 and would avoid creating new disturbances in the Pekisko-Willow Creek headwaters region.
A change in the proposed route, in the long term, will be the most beneficial for Albertans and provide greater overall economic returns from our Natural Capital. We must protect our landscapes today, for the benefit of future generations of Albertans.
Respectfully yours,
ACTION FOR AGRICULTURE
Elizabeth Breakey and Kim Good, Co-Chairs
Petro-Canada’s proposed sour gas pipeline is going within 440 metres of a home on the Eden Valley Reserve. If it were off reserve, the pipeline would have to be at least 1.5 kilometres away.
Also, the odds are stacked against any successful emergency response: more than half the reserve residents don’t have land-line phones; there is no cell-phone coverage; and a large percentage of residents can’t read.
See Kelly Cryderman’s story in the Herald today:
See comments on her story:
The hearing starts off Tuesday with Keith Lefthand from the Eden Valley Reserve testifying. He is to be followed by Larry Dayment testifying on animal health concerns. Following is the bulletin from the ERCB:
The Petro-Canada Sullivan Hearing Dates are set on the following dates at the High River Memorial Centre (128 -5th Ave West, High River AB T1V 1M3):
• Tuesday, January 20, 2009 (commencing at 9:00am)
• Wednesday, January 21, 2009 (commencing at 9:00am)
• Thursday, January 22, 2009 (commencing at 9:00am)
• Friday, January 23, 2009 (commencing at 9:00am)
• Thursday, January 29, 2009 (commencing at 8:30am)
• Friday, January 30, 2009 (commencing at 8:30am)
• Saturday, January 31, 2009 (commencing at 8:30am)
Additionally, the Board Panel will very likely be sitting late on the 29th and the 30th as required. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact David Miles at 403.297.3582.
There is an Oil and Gas Open House to happen in Turner Valley at the Flare ‘N Derrick Community Hall on Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 from 3:30PM to 7:30PM. A number of representatives from various oil and gas companies will be in attendance, as will various government officials. If you can attend, please do and if possible bring up concerns about the Pekisko/Sullivan proposal from Petro Canada to the corporate and political representatives that are supposed to be attending this open house.
Full details were posted in the January 7th, 2009 Okotoks paper as well as in various post offices.
Here is the copy from a notice found in a post office:
Public Announcement Turner Valley and Area
Oil and Gas Activity Public Information Open House
Tuesday, January 20th 3:30PM to 7:30PM
Flare ‘N Derrick Community Hall, Turner Valley, Alberta
Representatives of various oil and gas companies, engineering firms, government departments and the Town of Turner Valley will be available to present adn discuss various activities related to the oil and gas industry around the Turner Valley area.
Example:
Light refreshments available. Everyone welcome.
Attend if you have questions or want to find out what all is going to be discussed at this meeting.
Sophie, a grade seven student, put this video together showing shots of the Pekisko and Kananaskis area along the eastern slopes of Alberta in response to a presentation done by her father, Curtis, to her class. I think it shows off the beauty of the region, and the ugly industrial side to putting pipelines in the area. Unfortunately YouTube has removed the audio from the video, the original included ‘Big Yellow Taxi’ by Joni Mitchell in the background as well as the loud sounds of compressor pumps. If we can get the audio updated, we will try to do so. For now, sadly, silence is the way it has to be. If anyone knows Joni Mitchell, give her a shout and see if she’ll let Sophie’s video run with audio.
“In the long run, will Alberta want to be known for dead ducks on toxic pools or for the pristine mountain air of Kananaskis Country? It is time for Alberta to think in terms of the next hundred years, not just the next energy strike. That is a wrenching cultural change because Alberta is, at heart, a short-term society.”
– Gordon Pitts, from his book Stampede! The Rise of the West and Canada’s New Power Elite, published November 2008
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