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

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