Cypress County: Water licence acquisition a big concern for Cypress

By Tim Kalinowski on February 7, 2018.

tkalinowski@medicinehatnews.com @MHNTimKal

While Cypress County council on Tuesday postponed the vote on possible funding for a Local Improvement Plan for Parramatta Water Co-op’s potable water infrastructure until the next public meeting, CAO Doug Henderson did take the opportunity to update council on problems with the purchase of possible water rights for the Cypress Rural Water Co-op.

Henderson revealed in his report to council he has grave concerns about the acquisition of 84 acre feet of water licence from the Felesky Ranches near Elkwater.

Despite coming to agreement with Felesky Ranches to purchase the much-desired water rights two years ago, the licence has been stuck in limbo at Alberta Environment, which has questioned the need of the county for such a large licence with no major urban developments on the horizon.

According to Henderson, Alberta Environment representatives suggested the Cypress Rural Water Co-op might fit the bill if that was added to the current application.

Citing other development concerns and the need for water outside the Cypress Rural Water Co-op in his Dunmore-Veinerville ward, Coun. Dan Hamilton asked if the county was locked into giving the entire Felesky licence to the co-op if that is what was included on application as its designated use.

“The important thing is to identify a demonstrable need for the licence,” said Henderson, “and that’s why we looked at the Cypress Rural Water Co-op. Once that licence transfer is approved, council can then vote to re-designate whatever portion of the licence it wants to because they will own the water rights.”

RCMP report flat crime rate in Cypress County

S-Sgt. Sean Maxwell and newly appointed County Mountie (Enhanced officer position) Cst. Rebecca Wilke presented their quarterly reports to Cypress County council Tuesday.

According to the statistics, presented by Maxwell, there has been no measurable increase in reported incidents of break-ins or other theft incidents of Cypress County between September and December, after three straight quarters of hikes the previous year. While incidents are still occurring, they have not increased in rate of occurrence, reported Maxwell.

Cst. Wilke added since taking over the County Mountie position this past December she has been more aggressively patrolling communities and speaking to homeowners about hazard assessment, i.e. leaving their garage doors open during the night, etc. She has also been conducting more suspicious vehicle stops on the county’s gravel roads and back roads.

Statistics presented by Maxwell and Wilke showed 13 arrests last quarter of persons in possession of stolen goods.