Badlands Motorsport storm water application gains attention

By Sharon McLeay Times Contributor

Residents bordering the Badlands Motorsport development appealed to Wheatland County council on April 17 for a supportive letter to address to Alberta Environment and Parks regulatory approval panel, in regards to the development’s application for a storm-water management system.
“Our group has been in turmoil about what we should say in our individual statements of concern, now that the application has been published,” said Wendy Clark, a resident impacted by the development.
She pointed out it was a shared river course winding between two county borders that supports extensive wetland areas.
The application asks to construct, operate and maintain a storm water system that outlets into the Rosebud River and will modify five wetland areas on the property.
She said Wheatland Council’s inter-municipal planning and transboundary development should enable the county to write a letter to the review. She said that Red Deer Environment and Parks Director Todd Ascen encouraged residents to submit input and he had visited the site several years ago. She said the government minister has assured residents n the area that a rigorous review of water and environmental impacts would be done.
At the April 9 Wheatland County Committee of the Whole meeting, legal council recommended Wheatland County council not file a statement of concern.
Clark challenged the council if they did not send a letter of concern it showed they have no concern for residents living in the area. She said it was the only chance at the provincial level to give input.
“The residents of Rosebud are asking you to please take this small step of support for our farms, our homes, and most important the valley,” said Clark. “We depend on you.”
Wheatland County council agreed to send a letter stating the area is an environmentally sensitive area and concerns go beyond traditional borders. Their concerns will also include the lack of consultation by Kneehill County with Wheatland County under inter-municipal planning expectations and request the application adhere to the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan.
Written statements of concern can be sent to Environment and Parks, Regulatory Approval Centre, 5th Floor, South Petroleum Plaza, 9915 108 Street, Edmonton, Alta. T5K2G8,
List claim# 001-00406489 and list concerns relevant to the Water Act, what concerns will affect you, list your legal land description, the distance from the development and contact information. Alberta Environment and Parks will reply to each concern filed.
Statements of concern must be filed by May 25.
The details of the Badlands Motorsport application can be asked for by contacting Ross Thurmeier (r.thurmeier@schefferandrew.ca).