Notes from Aug. 24 County of Forty Mile council meeting

By Jamie Rieger
Biodiversity Management Framework
County of Forty Mile council will be asking questions and voicing their concerns about the biodiversity management framework for the region when representatives from Alberta Environment and Parks pay a visit in September.
Christine Sweet, a land-use framework planner from Alberta Environment and Parks, had asked the county if they were interested in having a discussion about the framework, which will be part of the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan, and its legislative document, the Alberta Land-use Framework.
Topics of discussion will include land-use policies, bylaws, methodolgies for managing biodiversity, conservation and stewardship on private land, and information on monitoring and data sources.
The County was going to make arrangements to try to have the delegation on their Sept. 14 agenda.
Subdivision for Burdett
County council approved a resolution to suppport an option for a 26-lot subdivision for Burdett that was proposed by  their engineering firm. The approved option includes the civil design ($34,000), plan for road closure purposes ($4,500), and legal survey/subdivision plan ($16,900 or $650 per lot).
Beet loading
Kees Kemper attended the Aug. 24 meeting the provide council with an update on the upcoming sugaar beet harvest. Kemper told council there would likely be an early harvest, starting between Sept. 15-20.
It was also indicated that there would be a flag person on-stie 24 hours a day. County administrator, Dale Brown said that the flag person was necessary for insurance purposes.
The use of a specialized piece of equipment called a MOUSE allows beets to be loaded in the field, reducing traffic on the county roads.
“We appreciate that traffic is reduced. It is nothing like it used to be and it is better for our roads,” said Coun. Gerald Reimer.

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