MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - County council will be meeting with Parkland Airshed Management Zone (PAMZ) officials as the municipality renews its 2022 membership in the environmental monitoring organization.
Council members plan to bring up concerns with a 2022 change in PAMZ’s monitoring criteria.
PAMZ is a non-profit organizations that monitors and records air quality in central Alberta. Its objectives include identifying air quality problems and responding to air quality issues and concerns in the region.
It also operates and maintains a regional air quality monitoring system synchronized with the Alberta Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System.
“Administration has raised concerns with the executive director (of PAMZ) regarding 2022 monitoring activities,” Jeff Holmes, the county's chief administrative officer, said in a briefing note to council. “PAMZ has indicated that they intend to monitor a proposed new development (gravel pit in McDougal Flats) that currently is not in operation and does not have a development permit approved.
“This is a significant departure from PAMZ past practice of setting up their monitoring programs to respond to existing public air quality concerns.
“Administration has raised concerns with the PAMZ that there may be economic development consequences for the county with PAMZ shift to pre-emptive air quality monitoring.”
The shift in criteria is “not in alignment with council’s economic development objectives to attract new business and work towards the diversification of (Mountain View County's) local economy and may lead to negative consequences throughout the county,” he said.
During the March 23 council meeting, Coun. Peggy Johnson put forward a motion instructing administration to arrange a delegation appearance by PAMZ officials at a future council meeting.
“If we could have some discussions and I think it is very important that we are on the same page,” said Johnson. “It is important to have the conversation.”
Coun. Jennifer Lutz said she would like to hear from PAMZ officials on how they decided when and where to monitor.
“I think that would be good to have that understanding,” said Lutz.
Council also passed a motion approving the 2022 PAMZ membership, at a total cost of $4,571.95.
“We’ve really benefited from their monitoring and expertise,” said Coun. Greg Harris.
