Special Areas shared their report on the recent public consultation for the Special Areas Water Supply Project (SAWSP), available at www.specialareas.ab.ca.
    This report summarizes feedback provided during March’s consultation, including what people thought the next steps should be for the project. This feedback will be used by the Advisory Council and Board to help inform their decision on whether Special Areas should move ahead with additional investment in the project.
    “We were pleased to see how engaged ratepayers and other stakeholders were during our consultation on SAWSP.” said Jordon Christianson, Chair. “From attending community information sessions to sharing their thoughts on the survey, people throughout the Special Areas provided clear feedback on what we should be doing next for SAWSP. This feedback will be critical in helping the Advisory Council and the Board make a well-informed decision that considers potential impacts to different project stakeholders.”
    The consultation included three community information sessions hosted throughout the region and a survey that gathered specific feedback. The survey, which was available online and at District Offices, asked for feedback on whether Special Areas should continue investing in the project.
    Special Areas presented the three options being considered, including shelving the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, requesting a technical review on the EIA by Alberta Environment and Parks, or pursuing a formal public interest determination from the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB). These options had estimated costs which ranged from nothing up to $10 million dollars.
    Stakeholders throughout the region shared their feedback on next steps for SAWSP, and most responses came from ratepayers residing in the Special Areas.
    Responses were divided between not wanting the Board to make any further investment in the project to asking for a public interest determination by the NRCB. The last option, which included requesting a formal determination by the NRCB, was estimated to cost between $2 million and $10 million dollars.
     For more information on the SAWSP, or to view the report on the consultation, contact your local District Office or head to www.specialareas.ab.ca.

A few residents of Drumheller near the Ramada Inn were treated to a special opportunity to view wildlife. Amie Courtenay shared these photos of a fox family that took up residence in the parkland along 2nd Street East and have been sneaking in and out of the neighbourhood. Courtenay estimates they saw a family of about four cubs. However, sightings have disappeared, making her believe the foxes may have been relocated or have moved on.
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