Controlling ag plastic wrap

Sharon McLeay
Times Contributor

 

An agriculture plastics program in the province of Saskatchewan is hoping to encourage a similar program in Alberta and Manitoba, after seeing success to recycle plastic grain bags.
The federal government has invested in Saskatchewan’s program to the tune of $200,000. The federal government rebates half the cost of bag rollers for farmers participating in the program. A $50 deposit per bag is charged and the sum is reimbursed to the farmer when he brings it in for recycling at one of 17 depots situated throughout the province of Saskatchewan. Simply Ag Solutions, a non-profit that administers programs that provide education, agriculture awareness, and information to its clients in the Saskatchewan agriculture industry, states they have shipped over 1.8 million pounds of plastic last year, which is recycled and kept out of landfills.
“Most of the shipments are going offshore and to the United States,” noted Wheatland County councillor Ben Armstrong. “The customers want it because it is basically a clean product.”

 

Kneehill County purchases land in Horseshoe Canyon
This summer, Kneehill County purchased 160 acres of environmentally sensitive land in Horseshoe Canyon near Drumheller.
A luncheon celebrating the acquisition was held Sept. 30 at the Horseshoe lookout point helicopter pad.
“They have put a fair amount of investment in developing stairs and pathways,” said Wheatland County CAO Alan Parkin, who attended the opening ceremony highlighting recent improvements.
Kneehill County hopes the new stairs and walkways will make it safer for people getting down to the canyon floor to explore the canyon. It is also hoped trails will encourage hikers to stay on the paths.
Kneehill County purchased the land from a private landowner when the provincial lease ran out. They will partner with the Nature Conservancy of Canada and other business patrons to develop recreation areas, hiking trails and other developments supporting the county’s long-term economic goals.
Kneehill County originally owned a small area that was split off during the construction of Hwy. 9. They developed a parking lot and lookout over the canyon that has developed into a popular tourist attraction. They previously paved the lot and added washrooms. A helicopter pad was created so tours could be offered. Kneehill County plans to develop a campground on the 38 acres overlooking the canyon and put in three more observation lookouts.
Kneehill County Reeve Bob Long has been quoted as saying the county’s strategic plan was to engage in more forms of recreation areas, to compensate for lost income from the oil patch over the last few years.
Kneehill County has previously run into public environmental opposition when they sanctioned the development of the Badlands Motorsport Resort development on environmentally sensitive land in the Rosebud River valley. Horseshoe Canyon is notable for its historical significance, hoodoo formations, large dinosaur fossil deposits and large deposits of coalbed methane.

 

Taxes rate held steady
Wheatland County councillors voted to hold the 2017 tax rate steady, with no new increases. Staff had advised a raise in rates would generate revenue and protect the county’s financial reserves; however, it would not be needed to meet their current financial commitments.
“With the economic downturn, if we don’t have to raise taxes, why would we,” said Coun. Ben Armstrong.

 

Debate on sole sourcing
Wheatland County purchases many types of machinery and deals mainly with Caterpillar for its purchases. It is currently looking for a wheel loader, graders, a scraper and a dozer.
“Continuing with one make of equipment would minimize additional specialized training for our mechanic and additional storage space and costly inventory,” said Tom Schultz, Wheatland County’s transportation and infrastructure manager. It also increases the resale opportunities for the used county equipment. Caterpillar also has global sourcing for their machinery and parts.
Some Wheatland County councillors had questions as to the wisdom of continued sole sourcing. They asked for a tour of the machinery operations area and storage, as well as a more detailed breakdown of benefits and cost comparisons for different providers.
“We typically get a 20 to 30 per cent reduction over the contracted price,” said Wheatland County CAO Alan Parkin. “Partly because we have purchased with them in the past and we have a good rapport with them. As an example, on the 627 scraper, we saved over $200,000 last year as a municipality because of our municipal buying power and purchasing history.”
Added Coun. Brenda Knight: “Sole sourcing is fine, but sometimes it becomes more of a convenient way of dealing,” she said. “It’s all about the money for the ratepayers and using their dollars to the best of our ability.”

 

Ducks Unlimited upgrading four wetland areas
Wheatland County council approved four encroachment agreements for Ducks Unlimited (DU). The areas under consideration cross undeveloped road allowances owned by the county. When farmers agree to work with DU, they sign an agreement to leave the wetland area for a 10-year term. The wetland is registered under Alberta Environment as a wetland area and all environmental regulations apply. Council was concerned about the possibility they may need to do work on the road allowances or develop the roadways in the future and may be prohibited due to those environmental regulations. DU spokesperson Warren Rob said a clause could be added to protect the county and temporary draining of sites could be done, so the county could conduct road work. Council passed the agreements.

 

Design construction manual

Wheatland County staff has compiled a municipal design and construction manual that can be used for future rural and urban infrastructure and construction planning. The manual combines information from various sources and jurisdictions into one county manual and will be used by staff and made available to developers and consultants. The full document is posted on the county website.
“The importance of this is it is a living document. We have been challenged before on issues, so now it is laid out and accessible on the website,” said CAO Alan Parkin.

 

Hamlet water rates rising
New rates for 2017 water and wastewater in hamlets are being implemented in Wheatland County as of January 2017. The increase is part of a strategic plan to minimize subsidization of water in the county. The majority of residents living on farms and acreages are not getting benefits from the subsidization. It is hoped a gradual rise in rates will condition users to measures needed for full cost recovery. Prices charged per cubic metre vary from hamlet to hamlet. The flat rate for 40 cubic metres is about $37.21, which works out to about a $35 increase per month for a family of four.
“This still doesn’t bring us to full cost recovery, but it puts us on the way,” said Mike Ziehr, Wheatland County’s manager of transportation and utilities.
Staff said the rates are still considerably lower than other municipalities are charging. They are hoping to change billing from every two months to monthly for resident’s convenience. The complete cost breakdown is on the county website under the Oct. 4 agenda attachments.
“The users control how much they use,” said CAO Alan Parkin. “As costs go up, we will see a reduction in water usage, which is a good thing.”