Alternative energy study to aid leaseholders

By Sharon McLeay Times Contributor

Wheatland County council considered participating in a study to develop wind and solar energy tool kits to help municipalities and potential leaseholders.
The need was determined after a survey conducted by the Miistakis Institute in 2017.
“The survey results indicate a wide range of knowledge and awareness about the regulatory process at the provincial level, and how the municipal decision-making processes fit into that regime,” stated a spokesperson for Miistakis. “In addition, survey responses indicate there is a high level of interest in the development and implementation of a least conflicts lands tool, and that mitigations and reclamation continue to be a looming question for municipalities.”
The institute has gathered preliminary information from members of the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMDC) and identified what tools were needed to deal with large-scale projects. The next phase will need funding, so development and testing can begin.
Councillors wanted to see a component that helped landowners with their leaseholder agreements and clearer reclamation and mitigation rules, so sites are not abandoned and then left to landowners to deal with at the end of contracts.
“We need something in place to protect them, because in 25 to 30 years, it will fall back on them to clean it up,” said Councillor Ben Armstrong.
Staff said the institute would map the county to determine which areas were more suited to this type of energy development and said that if the study was undertaken by the county, it would cost a great deal more.
It is expected that by 2030, 30 per cent of Alberta’s electric generation will come from solar and wind farming facilities.

New life for old schools
Wheatland County council is asking for community feedback on ideas to utilize the closed schools in various hamlets. Golden Hills School Division is asking if there is any interest in groups purchasing the buildings. In the past, unused schools have been repurposed for community buildings.
“I would like the county to look at it and see what costs are involved,” said Councillor Amber Link, who had heard interest in her district about use for the Gleichen School.
There was some speculation the cost of maintaining utilities and upkeep on the buildings may override what the community could afford, given the amount of use they would provide. Staff said they had old building assessments and could bring those forward to council, to see if council would like to consider reassessments. The county owns the properties under the buildings and said if they are not put to use, demolition may be needed in the future.
“We will have to deal with them eventually,” said Councillor Jason Wilson. “We should get ahead of it before it becomes a problem.”
There was some indication there were grants for demolition purposes, if needed.
Council considered holding an open house in the New Year to gain community engagement on the issue.

RCMP look to public for direction
Strathmore RCMP Staff Sergeant Kevin O’Dwyer is hoping Wheatland County will facilitate a survey that will allow Wheatland County residents to give their input on police services, negative or positive, to the RCMP detachments in the area. He is hoping to get a wider demographic in the response, so they can evaluate different areas and concerns in the community.
“I’d like to go to the public and ask for their ideas and what you feel is going to protect you and your neighbours, and make you feel safer in your own homes,” said O’Dwyer.
He said there has been an increase in property crimes and vehicle thefts in the area. The detachments have been trying to encourage interest in the Rural Crime Watch initiatives. He said people sometimes feel it is too much of a commitment to get involved. He would like to talk with the public and brainstorm any measures they think could be developed.
“People have to drive it and want it,” said O’Dwyer, about any initiative’s success.
Councillor Scott Klassen asked whether there were Crime Watch apps for personal phones. O’Dwyer said the RCMP is looking at developing some in the future. Social media was discussed but O’Dwyer cautioned that social media could be supportive or destructive, depending on the quality of information posted. The RCMP aim to keep people safe, while they implement crime-fighting measures.
O’Dwyer will be looking to complete surveys by mid-March 2018. Council agreed to discuss the suggestion further.

Canadian Badlands pitches
international exposure
Barry Morishita pitched the idea that tourism is a great economic development driver, and belonging to the Canadian Badlands Association promotes tourism. He said Wheatland County is the gateway to the Canadian Badlands, which is rapidly becoming an international tourist attraction. He encouraged Wheatland County to continue an affiliation with the other Canadian Badlands members and initiatives.
Morishita said many tour companies are pairing the Badlands with mountain excursions, which drives seasonal employment and increased business opportunities if unique experiences and opportunities are developed. The appeal of wide-open spaces may seem ordinary to residents living in this area; however, Morishita said many people from large urban centres have no link to the great outdoors. He said it is also a good opportunity for people to understand about rural life.
“We need to let people know what actually goes on in southern Alberta, and to do that, we have to educate people,” said Morishita. “The best way to do that is invite them into your own backyard.”

STARS continue to serve area
residents
The Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS) can be the fine line between life and death in a medical emergency.
Glenda Farnden, senior municipal relations liaison for the service, said STARS currently use 11 helicopters to respond to life-threatening situations, and that to date the service has flown over 36,000 missions.
On average, STARS calls are 55 per cent medical emergencies, 19 per cent motor vehicle responses, 14 per cent trauma related, seven per cent recreational accidents, three per cent agricultural accidents and two per cent are industry related. They responded to the Wheatland area about 23 times last year.
Farnden said the total cost of those 23 calls if they were not funded would be about $200,000. Alberta Health Services only supplies about 20 per cent of the funding STARS requires. The rest is generated through various fundraising efforts.
“It is very much a united effort. We continue to protect and preserve a service that as Albertans we are fortunate to have,” said Farnden.
On Jan. 20, 2018, the Juno award-winning country singer Brett Kissel will headline the Stars and Spurs Gala, hosted by the Petroleum Services Association of Canada (PSCA), with proceeds going to support STARS. Tickets can be purchased online at stars.ca.
Wheatland County donates $2 per capita to the organization, which is included in their yearly budget. Fallon asked that council consider extending their coverage for a four-year period.