Landowners concerned with the effects of energy company activity near Ponoka, Alta., have helped to outline practices they believe will ease conflicts.
Larry Walton, a local landowner, told the annual meeting of the Canadian Society of Unconventional Gas that farmers wanted more public discussion on wells, pipelines, compressor stations and future development plans. Open house meetings were the preferred method.
“We asked (energy companies) to all come at once with their plans.”
Walton and other concerned farmers formed the Calumet Synergy Group two years ago to explore ways to deal with key issues.
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The group recently released a document outlining best management practices designed to resolve conflicts with the 10 energy companies working in the region.
Calumet asked energy companies to stay in touch with the communities after the drilling is complete and pipelines are laid, to provide information if problems develop.
The group is turning its attention to how energy companies and farmers deal with land access, which energy companies require to get at the resources underneath, said Deryl Hurl, representing the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.
At one time, land agents signed agreements with 98 percent of people after the first meeting. Now, only one percent sign right away. Ill will results if people feel railroaded into signing, said Hurl.
He also acknowledged complaints are common about land agents representing resource companies. The new manual requests a land agent call for an appointment before appearing at a farmer’s door.
A farmer is the chief executive officer of a multi-million dollar operation and should be treated with respect. No one would expect to walk in on an oil executive in downtown Calgary without an appointment, said Hurl.
Other recommendations include controls on road damage, traffic and dust, as well as provisions that companies clean up and repair infrastructure damage.
The report also recommends energy companies contact municipalities to see what is the best way to enter a lease and it recommends that heavy equipment not be moved at night or during school bus hours.
Dust control is a major complaint on country roads. Companies are expected to have water trucks to reduce dust and travel 30 kilometres per hour past residences. Vehicles should have the company name and phone number, so residents can raise concerns.
For rancher Glenn Norman of the Pine Lake Surface Rights Group in central Alberta, the document is a good start, but he remains skeptical about energy groups. In his experience, consensus does not work for every issue.
“People are fed up with what is happening,” he said.
In his area, landowners are advised to get an addendum on a lease to cover additional contingencies. They also have discussion agreements that the corporation must agree to and sign. The agreement recognizes the importance of the landowner’s time and when negotiations are ongoing, the owner should be compensated.
Water use is a major issue for all groups and the Ponoka manual may not go far enough in dealing with water quality.
“This is a hill to die on for most landowners,” Norman said.
His group wants baseline water testing on all wells and possibly surface streams to monitor for dissolved, free gas and other elements. The province passed a regulation earlier this year saying water wells must be tested before drilling, but Norman argued these might be inadequate.
He recommended that people contact the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board rather than the offending company when they see damage.
The Calumet report also asked energy companies to support surrounding communities and the group has received funds for rinks, 4-H clubs and cemetery restoration.
