SSRP concerns raised by Town and MD of Pincher Creek councils

Toni Lucas

Members of both the Town of Pincher Creek and the MD of Pincher Creek met on Wednesday, February 19 to discuss the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan (SSRP).   From this meeting a draft of areas of concern within the SSRP document as it currently stands was established. A modified copy of this document is intended to be sent to the Land Use Secretary.  At the meeting of MD of Pincher Creek's council on February 25 it was decided the actual document was too wordy, and Reeve Hammond was assigned the task of sorting out a more concise  version for Town Council's approval.

That revised document was not available to us at this time, so the following relates to the draft document.

Water management is a key issue in the draft document, with water quality, quantity, and management being addressed. The document addressed three deeply embedded activities in our greater community: farming and ranching, resource extraction, and recreational tourism,  pursuits that are only possible and sustainable because of water.

Under the heading of  'Government of Alberta Departmental Integration for Plan Legislation, execution and management' there were a number of issues brought forth including:

• "The concept of 'sacrifice zone' is simply no longer acceptable in an already over-burdened and stressed landscape. The notion must be eliminated at the discussion table."

• Clear direction, targets and leadership.

Other items brought forward in this seven page document include:

• Land use enforcement in a timely manner.

• Recreation, tourism and camping held a number of topics including land use, and camping reservation times. 

• Restoration and reclamation: The draft notes that the SSRP does not address repair, restore or reclaim on areas that have been severely impacted over decades.

• Fragmentation of agricultural lands.

• To have a consideration to sort through possible conflicts between small and large population bases.

During the regular meeting of Pincher Creek Town Council held on Monday, February 24, Council reviewed and endorsed the draft of information compiled February 22, 2014 to be forwarded to the Land Use Secretary. The draft will be shared with the Village of Cowley for review as the Village may be interested in lending their support to this document.