|
Battle River Watershed under review again |
 |
 |
 |
|
Thursday, 02 September 2010 21:54 |
|
Discussions over the Battle River water supply to farmers, businesses, and communities along the Battle River who have licenses are, once again, in full swing. Concerns and questions have not changed since the original committee were called together in 2002 by Alberta Environment. Questions like, how much water should be left in the Battle River; should there be a limit to the number of licenses issued; should there be a restriction on the amount of water removed by each license; and/or should there be a termination of a license to anyone who is not using or has not used the license. In 2002 a group of Alberta citizens, which included County of Paintearth Councillor Wayne Richardson formed a committee having their initial meeting at the Alberta 4-H Center on Battle Lake. The group met for more than two years, studying and listening to experts regarding watersheds within Alberta. “Alberta Environment dropped the process for whatever reason,” stated Councillor Richardson. However, last fall Alberta Environment once again asked the committee to begin meeting to continue reviewing the same questions as before. This time Alberta Environment took a look at all the major licenses off the Battle River with regard to whether they had met all the requirements associated with the license, some going back 50 - 60 years. During the investigation, they found that the reporting requirements were different, largely depending on when the license was issued. Generally speaking, the newer licenses have more stringent requirements. “Considering that the Battle River is not glacier fed, the flow of the Battle River is very large,” stated Councillor Richardson. In terms of issuing licenses, it depends on the water volume, therefore the committee is also asking the question “how much should be allocated to usage.” Presently, Alberta Environment generally doesn't`t have a fixed percentage of flow that they will allocated to licenses. However, environmentalists believe that only 15 per cent is the most that should be allocated to licenses, to maintain a healthy river ecosystem. Some of the southern rivers have considerably more than 15 per cent allocated. In addition, Alberta has an agreement with Saskatchewan to give 50 per cent of the water flow to go into their province. As the livelihood of several communities such as Camrose, Wainwright, Hardisty and others depend on the water from the Battle River, as well as businesses like Paintearth Mine, suggestions have risen stating that municipal use should be the first consideration and agriculture should be second. “Very few if any of the licenses will take their maximum amount in a year,” stated Councillor Richardson, “So when we see very low flows such as in 2002, 2008 or 2009, it is important to recognize that they could have been worse.” “One of the risks in closing the basin to new licenses is that by so doing a market would be created, potentially resulting in the sale of under utilized licenses to someone who would use it more intensively, thereby reducing the river flow.” Councillor Wayne Richardson will be presenting the issues to both the County of Stettler and the County of Flagstaff for their input. "It's difficult weighing all the variables but we hope to come up with a solution," stated Councillor Richardson, who believes that if this committee can come up with an idea of what should be done, others will follow. For more information or if you would like to share your views, you can reach Councillor Wayne Richardson at email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or 403-882-3211.
|
|
Coronations 2010 Rumbull Bull-a-rama |
|
|
|
|
Friday, 27 August 2010 15:21 |
 Bull Riding is risky business, but you can ask many a rider, they love what they do! It was no different at the Town of Coronation’s Rumbull Bull-a-rama on August 18. Riders, like Jono Reid came from as far away as Christown, New Zealand and Harve Stewart from Texas, USA. Others came from across Canada from every province including, Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and of course, Alberta.One of the highlights of the evening was the presenting of the Royal Rumbull Student Scholarships. During the intermission, six Coronation students received $500 scholarships sponsored by the Coronation Bullarama Committee. Students are required to write a 500 word essay on the importance of volunteering and community involvement. This year, Agro Coronation participated in raising funds by donating John Deere toys and/or (personal choice) Stihl weed eater, selling tickets during the fair, raising $344 to contribute to the Royal  Rumbull Student Scholarships. The draw was held at the end of the day on August 18. The winner of the draw were, Joe Brigley,choosing the John Deere toys.
|
|
|
Thursday, 02 September 2010 21:36 |
|
Courage. Resilience. Inspiration. Hero. These words are used to describe Terry Fox 30 years after his Marathon of Hope touched a nation. Starting at the Atlantic Ocean on April 12, 1980, Fox ran 143 days and 5,373 kilometers until the cancer that had taken his leg stopped him near Thunder Bay, and a year later, took his life. His fight for cancer research has continued and his legacy lives on in those moved by his sacrifice. (see pg ---- for the towns of Coronation and Castor runs). Coronation School Students from Coronation School will be participating in a Terry Fox Run on National School Run Day at 9 a.m. on September 30, 2010. Kindergarten to Grade 12 will be participating in the walk that will begin at the school, walking to the Coronation Dam and back to the school. A silver donation will be collected that morning - a contribution to the Terry Fox Foundation. “It will be a combination Terry Fox/Spirit Day activity,” said Coronation Teacher Michele Copan. Grandparents and parents are welcome to participate. Brownfield School Brownfield Community School is participating in a Terry Fox “Country Walk” on the afternoon of Monday, September 27. Please bring a loonie or a toonie - a contribution to the Terry Fox Foundation. Margo McPhail has graciously organized and supplied home made cookies for all participants. Grandparents and parents are invited to attend. Theresetta School Castor’s Theresetta Catholic school will be continuing there unique and unusual activities to raise money in support of the Annual Terry Fox School Run Day. This year the date falls on Thursday, September 30. Students will be reaching fundraising goals by performing some “unique” activities, as they have in the past, such as, tricycle races; asking the principal to kiss a pig; eating worms and many, many others. It’s a fun day for all! Even the parents participate in preparing a hot lunch for the students. |
|
