Title
Land acquisition for the construction of new access road to the Whitewood Mine reclamation area
Proposed Motions
That Council authorizes Administration to allocate $74,000 in Alberta Municipal Infrastructure Program (AMIP) funding to proceed with the road right-of-way land acquisition and legal survey required through the south half of 14-53-04-W5M and part of SW 13-53-04-W5M to connect the Whitewood Mine Reclaimed Area with Range Road 41.
Body
Administration Recommendation
Administration supports the expenditure of $74,000.00 from the Alberta Municipal Infrastructure Program funding.
Purpose
Acquire road right-of-way and conduct legal survey of 8 hectares (20 acres) for connecting the Whitewood Mine internal road to Range Road 41.
Summary
The TransAlta Corporation opened Whitewood Mine in 1962. When the Wabamun power plant was fully retired on March 31, 2010 the mine ceased operations.
TransAlta has reclaimed more than 95 per cent, or 1,804 hectares of the 1,900 hectares of the land to a state equivalent to or better than its original use. The reclaimed land supports a variety of land uses, such as agriculture, woodland, wildlife habitat, recreation and wetlands. Most of the land is now lain with local subsoil and rich topsoil for agricultural purposes or wildlife habitat similar to that which existed prior to disturbance. The final stages of reclamation are currently underway.
The acquisition of the 8 hectares of land will provide the 30 meters of road right of way that is required for connecting the Whitewood Mine reclaimed area with Range Road 41. Constructing this internal roadway will provide a connector to Highway 765. The road construction is part of TransAlta Corporation's reclamation plan. Trans Alta Corporation is prepared to construct this connection at no cost to the county providing that we acquire the necessary land. TransAlta Corporation will be transferring the roadways located within the Whitewood Mine Area followin...
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