Pincher Creek Voice, Thursday Jan 9 2014.
Terri Vidricaire, Letter to the Editor
Area residents are rightfully concerned with the carnage wrought by AltaLink’s newest power line project when hundreds of ducks are killed in a single weather event. Both AltaLink and Stantec were advised that this would be the outcome if they proceeded with their plans to traverse the sensitive watersheds and flyways in the southernmost parts of the province.
There are real concerns that, if allowed to proceed with their (yet undetermined) plans for the area between Pincher Creek and Waterton Park, the AltaLink slaughter will extend to eagles, cranes, swans and the many species of raptors that migrate through and populate the area encompassed by the Waterton Biosphere. As we explained to AESO, AltaLink and Stantec during their “community consultations”, the watersheds and cultivated fields serve as staging areas along the annual migration routes.
They connect the Waterton Reservoir to the Waterton Lakes and the areas between these serve as resting and feeding areas for multitudes of waterfowl and other migratory species. If AltaLink is allowed to proceed south of Pincher Creek towards Waterton, some of Alberta’s most pristine and sensitive lands and many types of wildlife, some protected under federal legislation, will be irreparably damaged by the close proximity of more deadly power lines. As Albertans and area residents, we have a resource worth protecting. In addition to sustaining the western heritage lifestyles of many in our ranching and farming community, the area draws over 400,000 visitors annually from around the globe.
Rather then coming up with a bandaid solution, when will AltaLink start burying the lines? Visit Reta’s website at retasite.wordpress.com for more information and to support burying power lines, because AltaLink’s fix is “not” for the birds.
