M.D. updated on orphan pipelines, wells in municipality

By Rob Vogt Local Press Writer
An orphan is a well, pipeline, facility or associated site in Alberta that no longer has a legally or financially responsible party that can be held accountable for its clean up.
At its Aug. 10 meeting, the council of the Municipal District of Willow Creek reviewed a letter from the Orphan Well Association informing them the association has invested about $934,000 in the M.D., hiring 60 vendors to safely perform a variety of activities on 83 orphan sites, ranging from inspections and decommissioning to remediation and reclamation.
There remain other orphan properties in the M.D., including 17 orphan sites that require decommissioning then reclamation, and 64 sites that require reclamation only.
The Alberta Energy Regulator can designate an orphan which then becomes the responsibility of the association.
The association’s mandate is to decommission the orphan and restore the land similar to its original state in a safe, principled and cost-efficient manner. Every site is then available for farming, pasture land, recreation or a growing community.
Nanton visitor information centre
Council agreed to send a letter stating it has no concerns with the concept plan for a proposed Nanton visitor information centre for northbound traffic, which includes a turn-out area.
Nanton public hearing
Council also agreed to send a letter to the Town of Nanton stating the M.D. has no concerns with an area structure plan for a proposed development in the southwest corner of Nanton at SE-16-16-28-4.
The purpose of the proposed Westview Area Structure Plan, as a statutory plan, is to guide town decisions on subdivision and development proposals by outlining existing conditions and future land use, transportation, and servicing requirements for the community. The plan’s vision is achievable by implementing the objectives and associated policies of this plan.
Closed session
Council went into closed session at the end of its meeting to discuss joining the SouthGrow Regional Economic Development Alliance, as well as to discuss confidential evaluations, disclosure harmful to interests of a third party, and local body confidences.