The following topics were discussed at the council meeting on Tuesday, January 7th.

North Coal Update

North Coal provided council with an update on where they are regarding their mining operation at Michel Head and Loop Ridge. North Coal is currently targeting a June 2020 submission to the BC Environmental Assessment Office. Once the submission is made, The BCEAO can take 12 months to make a decision. North Coal is also currently targeting construction for 2021-2022 and first coal in 2023.

Museum Block Plan

Council spent some time discussing a master plan in conjunction with the Crowsnest Museum. The master plan would include proposed upgrades to areas around the museum. The main discussion was around whether or not council should provide funds for this. After further discussion, Councillor Filipuzzi made a motion that council find the funds for the master plan. Council spent a few moments discussing the motion and then carried the motion.

Mountain Pine Beetle

Council also spent time discussing problems with the Mountain Pine Beetle in the area. In the fall of 2019, Administration was contacted by an Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Forest Health Officer saying approximately 100 trees in the area were infested by MPB’s. Administration was told that approximately 30 of these trees were located on private land meaning they are outside of the control program that the province would be completing later in the fall of 2019. Administration was advised to apply for a grant through the Mountain Pine Beetle Municipal Grant Program to cover the costs of the tree removal. Under the program, the Municipality would hire a contractor and would coordinate permission and access to the private lands. Administration completed the grant application with support from our local Forest Health Officer and has obtained land owner permission for access and removal of the trees. In addition, the Province has now completed the removal of the trees that were located on Crown land. Administration was advised on December 20, 2019 that funding would not be applied to the Mountain Pine Beetle Grant Program and instead the Province would be focusing funding to Crown land. They did advise however that the they are not cancelling the program as of yet, and there may be funding opportunities in October 2020.

In addition, they have requested that the Municipality contacts the Federal Minister of Natural Resources to support the Alberta MPB Federal Funding Request. With the federal funding, it is likely that they could better support the Municipal Mountain Pine Beetle Grant Program. Administration has already written back to the Director of Forest Health and Adaptation asking for them to reconsider the decision on the grant funding as the removal of these trees on private property has the potential of eradicating the MPB from our area. Also, given that the surrounding properties are Crown land, any spread from these trees will result in increased efforts and costs of their department in future years. After further discussion on this topic, Councillor Sygutek made two motions that letters be sent to multiple government heads explaining the situation. Both motions were passed by council.

Kananaskis Rodeo Association Skijoring Event Request

The Kananaskis Rodeo Association requested that council approve their skijoring event for 2020. After a brief discussion on it, Councillor Ward moved that the request be accepted and the motion was carried.

Digital issues of the Pass Herald are now available:

Subscribe and read the FULL Pass Herald online.

or read just this issue of the Pass Herald online.