Some Background Information on the Livingstone Landowners Group
In October 2004, a group of concerned landowners formed the Livingstone Landowners as a response to proposed intensive gas field develpment throughout pristine grasslands, previously used only for ranching. The group represents interested landowners in the Oldman River Watershed north of Highway 3, south of the Gap and east of the Livingstone Range to the Porcupine Hills. This is the centre of Chinook country: Canada's most distinct weather zone.
The primary focus of the Livingstone Landowners Group is to ensure community consultation and participation with industry and government in the planning of future development. This is necessary to protect human health, groundwater resources, native prairie grass ecosystem, air quality, existing property values, health of cattle, and the esthetic value of a remarkable landscape.
Some Specific Concerns are:
- Air quality of the area - the impact caused by flaring and the unique situation of Chinook inversions.
- Water quality, groundwater assessment and surface water monitoring in a changing and warming climate with reduced snow pack.
- Effective land use planning that minimizes impacts and addresses cumulative effects over time including loss of fescue, weed invasions and land fragmentation.
- Fair and equitable treatment for all landowners with a uniform surface rights agreement designed by the community that defines best practices, proper compensation and annual rent for land disturbance and loss of income.
- Clear description of liability for all clean-ups, well abandonment and well reclamation.
- Active involvement by local governments in regards to these issues
"The superior man seeks what is right; the inferior one, what is profitable."
— Confucius