Municipal District of Pincher Creek council heard updates on a proposed water management approach linked to Northback Holdings and made several decisions on local infrastructure and community funding during its May 26 committee and regular meetings.

Highlights included approval of emergency bridge repairs near Connelly Creek, the defeat of a Fish Lake pumping proposal and the acknowledgment of a conservation easement notice from the Southern Alberta Land Trust Society.

Northback outlines revised water management approach

Mike Young, chief executive officer of Northback Holdings, presented updates to the company’s water management plans tied to its proposed coal mine development. He told council Northback has revised its approach in response to changes made to the final terms of reference and its term licence Water Act application.

Young said the revised approach removes any direct water withdrawal from creeks or streams. Instead, Northback would meet operational water needs using precipitation captured on-site and water generated through mine dewatering processes, which involve removing water during mining operations.

Water would be collected and stored in dams during precipitation events and seasonal freshet flows, and Young described the model as similar to water storage approaches used in Alberta’s irrigation systems. Because the collected water would be stored and used under this system, it would still require licensing under Alberta’s water allocation framework.

Council was told further information will be provided to the public as it becomes available throughout the application process.

Emergency bridge repairs approved for Connelly Creek crossing

Council approved $37,500 in emergency capital repair funds for a bridge crossing on Range Road 23A over Connelly Creek, after the MD’s bridge inspector flagged a structural concern during spring checks.

Administration reported the northwest bank at Bridge File 13957 is being undermined, with water flow beginning to move behind the north abutment back wall. An assessment strongly recommended placing riprap on the toe of the embankment and upslope to maintain slope stability and prevent further deterioration.

As Connelly Creek is home to species protected under the federal Species at Risk Act, work in the bed and banks carries stringent permitting requirements, including recommendations from a qualified aquatic environmental specialist.

However, administration noted that given the bridge’s proximity and habitat similarity to a nearby crossing — Bridge File 1348, already an approved 2026 capital project — the work can be carried out concurrently to avoid duplicating environmental assessment and permitting efforts.

Administration noted that Bridge File 13957 is on the 10-year prioritization list with a target replacement year of 2036 due to other existing deficiencies. Completing those repairs in full this year was deemed not feasible, given the scope of land acquisition, permitting requirements and preliminary engineering work that would first be needed.

Council approved the funding and awarded the work through the bridge reserve.

Library system funding update received

Council received as information a presentation from Chinook Arch Regional Library System, originally delivered at the May 12 council committee meeting.

The presentation outlined the structure of the regional system and how it supports Pincher Creek Municipal Library through shared access to resources and interlibrary services. It also included budget details for the 2023–26 cycle.

For 2026, the per capita levy was $7.76, with a proposed increase to $8.17 for 2027. A formal request for that increase is expected to come before council at a later date.

Fish Lake pumping proposal defeated

Coun. Dave Cox moved that funds be drawn from the tax rate stabilization reserve to pump water to Fish Lake at a cost of $81,250.

The motion was defeated.

Conservation easement notice acknowledged

Council acknowledged receipt of a conservation easement notice from the Southern Alberta Land Trust Society for two parcels of land known as the Lievaart West project, located at NW-11-8-3-W5 and NE-11-8-3-W5, totalling about 322 acres.

Under the Alberta Land Stewardship Act, municipalities must be notified prior to registration of conservation easements. Council also agreed to waive the 60-day notice period, allowing the easement to proceed to registration.

While the MD has the option to register an objection to the easement, administration noted that the easement may still be registered regardless.

Outdated licence of occupation policy repealed

Council repealed Policy C-AES-001, Licence of Occupation, following the adoption of Traffic Bylaw 1365-25, which now covers all use of highways within the MD, including temporary grazing permits and road allowance use, making the existing policy redundant.

Heritage Acres to receive donated gravel

Council agreed to donate remaining waste material from the Heritage Gravel Pit — up to 400 cubic yards — to Heritage Acres Farm Museum for use on its grounds.

Community funding and events received

Council dealt with several correspondence items related to community events, sponsorships and regional participation.

Interested councillors were authorized to attend the Alberta SouthWest annual general meeting June 3 and the Pincher Creek Rodeo Parade and dignitary luncheon Aug. 15.

Council approved a $160 sponsorship for Community Safety Net, a children’s safety program operating in Pincher Creek. The funding will support 10 local families at $16 per family, up from five families sponsored by the MD last year. Funds will come from the grants to groups and organizations budget. Coun. Tony Bruder moved the motion, which carried.

Council received as information an invitation to participate in the Elkford Wildcat Days Parade on June 27.

A call for nominations for the 2026 National Fire Chief of the Year Awards, jointly presented by the Fire Underwriters Survey and the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, was also received. Nominations for both a volunteer and a full-time fire chief are open until June 30.

Council also agreed to provide a letter of support for Kootenai Brown Historical Park in its application to the FCC AgriSpirit Fund.