Municipal District of Pincher Creek council dealt with both routine governance and broader regional concerns at its March 24 meeting, including receiving correspondence tied to the Northback coal proposal that alleges potential threats to groundwater systems.

Council also approved a rezoning bylaw for a rural business, updated its dust control schedule, committed funding toward local requests and discussed plans to address aging trees at Bobby Burns Fish Pond.

Tree removal planned

Council revisited an earlier request regarding hazardous trees at Bobby Burns Fish Pond.

The issue was first raised in February, when the fish pond chairman warned that several large poplar trees surrounding the pond are deteriorating internally and could pose a safety risk, particularly to seniors who frequently use the area.

At the March 24 meeting, chief administrative officer Roland Milligan informed council that tree removal is expected to take about two days, at an estimated cost of $3,000 per day.

As the park is municipally owned, the work will be incorporated into the parks and recreation budget for 2026.

Wildfire mitigation presentation

Council formally accepted, as information, a presentation from AltaLink regarding its wildfire mitigation program, originally delivered at the March 10 committee meeting.

Representatives outlined increasing wildfire risks across Alberta and emphasized mitigation strategies aimed at reducing the likelihood of utility-related ignitions.

A key component discussed was the public safety power shutoff, a measure that allows for temporary power outages during extreme weather conditions as a last-resort effort to prevent wildfire starts.

Dust control policy updated

Council approved the 2026 Schedule A under its dust control policy, with amendments discussed during the meeting.

The policy is reviewed annually to guide dust suppression efforts on municipal roads, particularly in high-traffic areas, along re-gravelling routes and in locations prone to washboarding.

Administration noted that the program may begin earlier than in previous years to provide extended benefits to residents throughout the season.

Rezoning bylaw approved

Council gave second and third readings to Bylaw 1370-26, approving a land-use redesignation to accommodate an existing rural business and future subdivision plans.

The amendment changes the designation of a parcel from grouped country residential to rural business, as well as a portion of agricultural land to rural business.

The application was submitted to bring an existing mechanics shop into compliance with land-use requirements, as the size of the building qualifies it as a major industrial-type use under the municipality’s bylaw.

The bylaw was given first reading Feb. 10, and a public hearing on the matter was held March 10.

While no one spoke at the hearing, two written submissions were included in the public hearing package. Both residents asked for more information about the type of business proposed and raised concerns about potential impacts, particularly increased traffic in the area.

Coffee With Council rescheduled

Council approved a change to its Coffee With Council schedule for Division 2, which takes place at the MD office.

The November session, originally set for Nov. 17, has been moved to Nov. 26 to avoid a conflict with the Rural Municipalities of Alberta convention.

Council supports funding requests and events

Council approved several community-related requests through correspondence items.

Members authorized attendance at Canada Day celebrations at Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village.

A $500 sponsorship was approved for the Matthew Halton High School senior girls basketball team, which qualified for the provincial championships for the first time in decades. The funding assisted with travel costs to Peace River.

Council also agreed to support St. Michael’s School’s upcoming A Night in Paris fundraiser by providing an in-kind donation of a tandem load of gravel and delivery, with logistics to be co-ordinated through public works.

Followup on deadstock concerns

Council directed administration to send a followup letter after a recent meeting with Alberta’s minister of environment and protected areas, raising concerns related to deadstock management on the landscape.

The correspondence will also be shared with multiple provincial ministries, the local MLA and MP, neighbouring municipalities and relevant agencies.

Northback-related correspondence

Council received, for information, a submission raising concerns about the proposed Northback coal development and its potential impact on regional water security.

The correspondence, described as a forensic disclosure record, alleges that historical and ongoing geological data point to what the author characterizes as a significant risk to freshwater aquifers connected to the Oldman River system.

“As the custodian of this record, I have placed the federal IAAC [Impact Assessment Agency of Canada] and the sovereign nations on notice that the Hancock/NorthBack ‘experiment’ represents a terminal geotechnical risk to our regional water security,” the correspondence said.

“Since the provincial authorities have failed to address the 1976 baseline, I am placing this technical notice directly in your hands to protect our municipal interests.”

It further claims that certain exploration activities could create pathways for contamination through underground formations.

The document also references broader regulatory and environmental concerns, including calls for federal involvement and recognition of Indigenous stewardship over the watershed.

No formal discussion or motion beyond receiving the document as information was recorded.

Additional correspondence

Council received additional correspondence for information, including an update from the provincial government outlining enhancements to Alberta’s aquatic invasive species prevention and response framework.

Members also received a thank-you letter from a beneficiary of STARS Air Ambulance service, acknowledging a municipal donation and highlighting the impact of community support on emergency medical response services.