Special Areas requests for water

[cakadu]

The EIA will deal with the impact of the proposed project on the environment, Linda, but it will be up to those opposing the project to bring forward conclusive evidence of what they perceive to be negative impact on enviromnent, wildlife, people and the economy.
If this project goes to a hearing intervenors will need to have detailed, sophisticated submissions.

[cropduster]

Sorry if I touched on the truth grassfarmer!Was born and raised in the Special Areas and have flown over fields here for thirty years..........and you????????My comments are meant to get you to go to a higher hill or even an airplane seat to BROADEN your horizon!!!!!!

[cakadu]

Cropduster, it would then be reasonably safe to say that your objectivity is somewhat clouded in terms of whether this is a project that should go ahead or not. It also stands to reason that questions about the project could be construed to the negative, which for me is not the case.

There must be a reason that folks such as yourself stay in the area and it has nothing to do with water or a lack thereof.

I've said many times on this site -- just because we can, doesn't mean we should. It doesn't mean we shouldn't either - just give me logical, factual information on which to base my decision, not emotion. I have always been that way and don't see it changing any time soon. (Okay, I made one decision based on emotion and after 16 years, I think it has served me very well.)

I've also found it important to understand the other person's viewpoint - bearing in mind that understanding does not mean agreement. I understand why you would want water. Even in my own immediate neighborhood we are sitting on the most productive water around - the neighbors all around us had to drill many times in order to get enough water to even reasonably run their homes with. That doesn't mean that we don't use the water wisely and try to conserve it. Just because it has been here, doesn't mean it always will be.

[cowman]

Actually Linda I have no clue what a piping plover is... and frankly I don't really care! But then I have some real anti environmental beliefs...like they should completely wipe out the wolves,cougars and grizzly bears!
However I fail to see what concern it is of anyone basically living above the proposed "water diversion scheme"? The water goes down the river and who cares where? We only have to deliver 50% to Saskatchewan so why not use our 50% for the population of Alberta? Maybe I am an insensitive lout or something, but why not use it to create some wealth and prosperity for the people in eastern Alberta?
I do know there are a lot of good solid people that live out in the "special areas" and I sure would hate to see that region crash! They are tough and independent and they sure don't buy into all this Liberal drivel that is ruining our country! I'd sure rather help them out than the eastern bums we are forced to support!

[cakadu]

Okay cowman, I'm not even going to touch your comments on environmentalism.

The water in a watershed is for all stakeholders within that watershed, not just for those above or below a certain point. Recharge of underground water can sometimes occur 100's of miles away so you could affect someone and not even know it because they are downstream from you.

I don't have a problem doing it if it is warranted. No one has said anything about good or bad people and/or deserving/non-deserving people. If we are not careful, it won't take long until the 50% that we do have is over allocated and then what happens?

It is not just this one project, as I've mentioned before, there are several others that are in the works as well, each with their own demands on the river. One of the piping projects should be set to go.

Also, please bear in mind that there was a report done several years ago that stated that there would be no new development south of Ponoka after about 2020 because there wouldn't be the water to support it. Could that be why we are "rushing" to do all of this development - in order to beat the dealine?

[cakadu]

I think that the proponents of the project need to provide the opportunity for interested ( vs opposed) folks to tour the area and see what water can do, and the drawabacks caused by the lack of it.

Many special interest groups will be heard before this project goes too far ahead. The province may nix it before it gets to the EIA stage, who knows ?

I agree with cowman on many aspects. When the land was cleared and oil and gas wells drilled in this area, people were all up in arms because they felt the big game would all leave, die or heaven knows what. There are so many deer, moose and elk around here that they are a problem, so the fact that their habitat was invaded by industry hasn't caused any problems at all.

I drive down Highway 16 almost daily and see the raping and pillaging done by the coal extraction around Wabumun, it is an eyesore and likely has caused untold environmental damage, that will never be reclaimed, and yet there never seems to be a peep made by environmentalists.

[cropduster]

Cakadu......read the report/engineer`s study.We`re trying to be as all encompassing/professional as possible.

[cakadu]

Actually, emrald, I think that is the one area that was lacking on the part of the organizers of the SAWSP meetings. They didn't have any verbal presentations, likely to keep a lid on any grandstanders, which in my opinion, was a drawback. People should never be afraid of the opposed or the naysayers because it is from all ideas that the best plans are made. Quite often when people tell you what they don't want, they are actually telling you want they want, so you are cutting off what could be valuable input.

The odd time, you even make converts of the naysayers, so it is never a lost opportunity. There is greater buy-in if people feel that they been a part of something, they have been allowed to state their piece and their ideas looked at. To me, there is merit in hearing the opposition. Again, I don't have to agree with them, just understand their viewpoint. "Seek first to understand, then be understood."

Cropduster, that is what I am trying to do with the full report that was released on this diversion project. I am trying to understand so I can make an informed decision.

[cakadu]

Unfortunately it sometimes happens that those who do not agree with proposals such as this have a way of spinning things and creating angst.
Not everyone is willing as you are to become informed, and would choose only to believe half truths.
I can't begin to count the number of times I have heard someone say ' I heard from somebody that such and such is going to happen', maybe its my nosy nature but if I hear a rumor about something or some project that is proposed in my community, I go to the source and get my facts straight .