Residents of Flagstaff County in east-central Alberta have launched an appeal against the approval of an 80,000 hog operation.
“Hopefully, they will leave Alberta,” said Lori Goodrich, a spokesperson for the Flagstaff Family Farm Promotional Society, which set the appeal in motion.
Taiwan Sugar Corporation wants to buy five quarters of land from a single owner near Hardisty to house the barns for this large farrow to finish operation.
There are 62 farm residences nearby and the development freezes 40 quarters of surrounding land from future development.
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“Five generation farms will be sterilized by this development,” Goodrich said.
Board hears concerns
The county development officer approved the proposal, which now goes before a five-member appeal board.
In the appeal filed Sept. 22, the protesters said they would use every administrative and legal avenue they could to stop the farm.
They list concerns about water contamination and the spread of E. coli bacteria in water. They are also concerned the aquifers cannot bear an additional withdrawal of 45 million gallons of water per year.
They expressed worries about declining land values, road damage and health concerns resulting from hog manure odor.
The day the appeal was filed, more than 200 people shivered in below-normal temperatures as a show of protest against the company. Some are digging into their pockets to support the appeal.
“Donations are pouring in to fight this – people from Foremost, Peace River, Lacombe, Ponoka and all those other counties fighting these intensive operations,” Goodrich said.
“The response we have received has been incredible.”
The appeal date for the development is Oct. 6 in Hardisty.
“If they don’t get a permit, they may step back and re-evaluate their position if they are to carry on in Alberta,” said Clarence Froese of DGH Engineering. The Manitoba based company represents the Taiwanese interests in Canada. The appeal was not unexpected.
Meetings have been held between DGH and concerned county residents since last March. Froese said these consultations are necessary to alleviate public concern.
“The industry has nothing to hide but many developments have been built without public consultation so it has created the wrong image,” he said.
With proper education and discussion, Froese hopes more of these projects are approved in the future.
