Mountain View County council has approved a conservation easement agreement with Legacy Land Trust for the former Campbell gravel pit, located between Olds and Sundre and north of Highway 27.
The move came during the recent regularly scheduled council meeting.
In March council directed administration to prepare a conservation easement agreement for the NE 8-33-3-5 with agricultural use as the primary use, and including flexibility to include future day use area potential and an allowance for hunting.
The easement is granted “for the purpose of protecting, conserving, and enhancing the environment, natural scenic or esthetic values, and agricultural land or land for agricultural purposes and passive recreational use.”
The agreement comes with a number of restrictions and provisions, including the following: no temporary divergence licences; no logging/tree removal except as part of a forest management plan; no residential/commercial development; limited new surface disturbance utility installations.
As well it allows public access for hunting providing the hunters receive permits, allows for a day use area to be constructed, and allows for a minimal disturbance trail network.
“Previously the Jackson Lake conservation easement underwent legal review,” administration said in a briefing note to council. “The Campbell Pit conservation easement drafted was based on the previous agreement’s legal revisions and is before council for consideration.
“However, there are slight differences between the agreements due to their location specifics including the removal of mention of area structure plans and a designated area for potential day use infrastructure within the portion of land that was reclaimed.”
It is estimated that the county could receive up to $40,000 in compensation for putting the easement in place after Legacy Land Trust commissions the appraisal of the lands, members heard.
In other council news, council has approved crime prevention initiative grants for three community groups.
The move also came during the recent regularly scheduled council meeting.
The county’s crime prevention initiative grant is in place to support local and/or regional organizations that propose activities or events that have the potential to reduce the impact of crime within a large community area or throughout the county.
Olds and District Rural Crime Watch requested and was granted $5,150. The funds will be used for crime prevention education programs through radio, newspapers and social media, and to help fund a family crime prevention trade show.
The Sundre Citizens on Patrol Association asked for and was granted $1,750. The funds will be used in support of efforts to educate the public about the program and to recruit new members.
The Zella Community Association requested and received $1,950 to be used in support of a neighbours' meet-and-greet in conjunction with rural crime watch.
