Conditions were driest in decades
Mountain View and Red Deer counties experienced their driest 180-day period in decades in the winter of 2012. From Nov. 1 to Feb. 14 the region on average receives between 60 and 65 millimetres of precipitation. As of Feb. 21, 2012, the region had received between 17 and 35 millimetres, making it the driest spring since 1961. Coupled with low precipitation, there was also unseasonably warm weather in the region, leading to evaporation of the little moisture that was in the area.
Fracking meetings well attended
Dozens of MVC residents attended four public meetings in the district to discuss fracking concerns and ways to make the oil and gas drilling process acceptable to all stakeholders. The meetings were sponsored by the Sundre Petroleum Operators Group and were aimed at preparing a best practices document. It was estimated that about 75 per cent of the wells being drilled in MVC in 2012 involved fracking, which is the use of high pressure fluids to break up rock formations to assist oil and gas extraction. "Oil and gas companies should have to disclose publicly all water withdrawals, where water is used and how much flow-back is generated,î said MVC Coun. Paddy Munro at one of the meetings. Preparation of the best practices document was ongoing at year-end.
Dissolution study ordered for Cremona
In April Alberta Municipal Affairs announced that a dissolution study would be conducted into the future of the Village of Cremona. The move came after a petition called for the municipality to revert to Mountain View County. The study, which will examine such things as governance, finances, and services, was ongoing at year-end. "I'm happy the study is going to happen,î said resident Jen Thompson. "I really want to see what happens with this and really see whether we'd be better off with the county.î
Riverbank protection project wraps up
After three months of construction, the $2.4-million riverbank stabilization project along the Red Deer River in Sundre wrapped up, with officials saying the new work will help better protect residents and property from flooding danger. Financed through a grant from the provincial government, the project included the construction of six massive spurs, which are jetties built about 30 to 40 metres out from the riverbank. In all, 13,000 tonnes of granite boulders and other rocks were used in the construction.
Massive oil spill on Red Deer River
Hundreds of thousands of litres of sour crude oil spilled into the Red Deer River at Sundre when a pipeline ruptured under the riverbed. Oil from the spill made it all the way to Gleniffer Lake forcing the closure of the popular recreation area and triggering a massive months-long cleanup of river and shore banks. The spill itself remained under investigation by Alberta Environment, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Plains Midstream.
Windstorm damages homes across region
A severe summer windstorm, including a tornado, caused widespread damage to houses, farms and other properties. Roofs were torn off several homes and trees were uprooted in Olds, Didsbury and surrounding areas. "I saw a tree coming down and I ran. The wind came through and pulled the tree out,î said Olds resident Monica Hubley. Benefit events were later held to help out the victims.
Municipal Development Plan approved
After months of public discussions and open houses, MVC council passed a motion approving a new municipal development plan. The document sets out conditions for development across the county.
Open houses hear about roads
All seven open houses held by Mountain View County councillors heard that road maintenance and upkeep is the number one issue for residents. "It's a hot topic right now,î said Coun. Robert Orr. "Everybody is driving bigger trucks today. We are working on a roads master plan for the county.î
Business booming at Red Deer airport
The Red Deer airport was keeping very busy in 2012, with an increase of 25 per cent in the number of flights over 2011 totals.
Crowning achievement
For the second straight year, a woman from Mountain View County was named Miss Rodeo Canada. Didsbury's Gillian Shields was crowned Miss Rodeo Canada 2013 on Nov. 10, replacing 2012 Miss Rodeo Canada Arleta Bowhay from Bergen.
Poachers hit region hard
Fish and Wildlife officers were very active in the fall chasing poachers across the region. "We have been very busy,î said Sundre-Olds officer Adam Mirus. The number of illegal harvesting incidents was up from 2011 totals, he said.
