The Southern Alberta Energy from Waste  Association (SAEWA) has selected its preferred site for its future operations.
    For over a decade SAEWA, a non-profit coalition of municipalities has been working on researching and implementing an energy recovery from non-recyclable waste materials facility. This could utilize a number of different technologies including incineration, gasification or anaerobic digestion.
    It received a $400,000 grant from Alberta Community Partnership program to research sites and from 11 potential locations, it identified the Newell Regional landfill as the top contender.
    The Drumheller and District Solid Waste Management Association (DDSWMA) is a member of SAEWA, however, it is considering whether it will remain.
    DDSWMA has 15 regional members and 19 waste transfer stations. The Regional landfill is in Drumheller.
    “We said, as an association, we would figure out where they were going to site it and then make a determination about what we are going to do going forward,” said Drumheller CAO Darryl Drohomerski.
    He said as an association, they have paid their dues for 2020, however, they are still going to take a hard look at whether they will remain a part of SAEWA.
    He said if DDSWA decides it does not want to continue with its membership in SAEWA, individual municipalities can opt-in or opt-out.
    He says Drumheller has some reservations about the plan. Transportation is one factor. Moving waste to a site further away could mean a greater cost for transportation.
    “If you are Standard or Rockyford, it is probably equidistant, but for the rest, it is probably further to travel,” he said.
    He also adds if a municipality decides to join SAEWA, and leave DDSWMA, it is a five-year process, or it would have to pay a premium.
    “Drumheller would be out. Why would we take a landfill that has 40 to 60 years of life in its current arrangement and say we are going to ship it?” he asks.
    Councillor Fred Makowecki, who sits on DDSWMA, agrees.
    “Drumheller has a landfill within its boundaries. It makes no economic sense to send refuse 100 kilometres away,” said Makowecki.
    He adds at this point there is no indication of what the tipping fees and transportation fees will cost and says the project is still in its infancy.
    “Along the project spectrum of where they are, they are still in the early stage of it because they haven’t done a detailed design, they have done a detailed cost estimate of it, they still need to get approvals from the Alberta Environment, so there is a fair bit of work to do,” he said. “There are lots of questions unanswered on the process.”

It’s a beautiful day in the Badlands, and a small Anodontosaurus named Eugene has lost his human…

Four local non-profit organizations are excited to finally share with the community an exciting book project they have been working on for the last 12 months. The picture book ‘Have You Seen My Human? A Badlands DinoStory’ is set in the Drumheller Valley and is designed to help caregivers support children’s healthy development.

“We see this as an exciting and intriguing way to promote our community and share an important social story,” said Louise Henrickson, Coordinator, Drumheller Family Literacy Society. “Reading with children helps to promote early literacy skills and healthy relationship development. BUT this is more than a story; it includes practical hints and tips to explore our community with childlike curiosity and support your child’s development.”

“The Badlands DinoStory project does so many great things at once; supports early childhood development; provides an opportunity for a local author and artist to showcase their talents; highlights fun, affordable ways for families to play together in the valley; promotes tourism; and raises funds for four local, non-profit programs; it’s a huge win all round,” said April Harrison – FCSS Coordinator, Drumheller Valley FCSS.

“The Library is thrilled to have been a part of making such a beautiful book about our community. We can't wait to share it with young readers and their families,” added Emily Hollingshead, Director of Library Services, Drumheller Public Library.

Funds raised through the sale of the book will support community-based projects offered by each of the partners, such as the Drumheller Early Years Fair, affordable tutoring, out of school activities for local youth, and enhanced library programming.

The official book launch will take place at the Chamber’s Spring Expo Trade Show April 24-25, 2020 at the Badlands Community Facility. The Author and Illustrator will be on site to sign copies, tell you more about the book and maybe hint at what Eugene does next. For those of you that cannot wait until then, the book will be soft launched at the Spring Sports, Recreation & Arts Expo at the BCF on March 4, 2020.