News Leader News for April 8, 2008
PETROBANK HOSTS OPEN HOUSE
On Wednesday, April 23rd, Petrobank Energy and Resources will host a public open house in Princeton to discuss the company's continuing coalbed gas (CBG) valuation activity in the area. The open house will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Petrobank is planning to drill two wells (one north and one south of the Town of Princeton) and the open house is part of an increased dialogue with the community about the company's plans for these CBG evaluation wells. This is the continuation of an earlier study of the local CBG basin that began with a test well 4.5-kilometres southeast of Princeton in 2004.
"Since 2005, we learned a lot about the composition of this basin," says Gregg Smith, Vice President Canada, Petrobank.
"We are about to start the next leg of our journey and we want to be sure that the community clearly understands our plans."
Petrobank has been contacting affected landowners about the company's plans. Along with the open house, the company will continue to provide the Princeton media with news releases, interviews, and information advertisements. During its visit on April 23rd, Petrobank has offered to meet with Princeton area officials to provide an update and answer questions.
"We want to share all the facts about our work in Princeton and do that in a very public way," says Smith.
"Our experience in Princeton has been very positive and we think the community appreciates our open communication."
Future information from Petrobank will include a detailed drilling schedule, location and information about environmental protection, water management and safety activities. The company's goal is to not only meet but exceed governmental regulations regarding water disposal, protection of the environment and community consultation.
"We're proud of our local track record," says Smith.
"Our history in Princeton has been one of openness and transparency in the community."
The company maintains a dedicated toll-free line (1-866-764-4571) for Princeton residents to ask questions about CBG and the company's role in the community. The company also posts information about the project on its website
www.petrobank.com/princeton.
Further information about CBG can be found through the Canadian Society for Unconventional Gas at
www.csug.ca. Petrobank operates under the British Columbia Coalbed Gas Code of Practice which can be found on the Ministry of Environment website through
www.gov.bc.ca.
MP TEAMS UP WITH LOCAL GROUP
Mark Tuesday, April 22nd on your calendar for a special Similkameen Earth Day event!
Local Princeton Healthy Harvest Box volunteers concerned about food issues are teaming up with Alex Atamanenko, MP for BC Southern Interior to host a special Food Security Forum and Film Night at the Princeton Legion at 7:00 PM.
The film 'Tableland' by award-winning filmmaker Craig Noble will be shown, followed by a guest panel discussion with the audience.
Tableland will take viewers from the orchards of Interior BC to rural Quebec and inner-city Chicago on a culinary expedition in search of people - farmers, chefs, writers, teachers and activists and places that are part of a movement towards more sustainable food systems.
While films like 'Super Size Me' and books like 'Fast Food Nation' take a critical look at the industrial food establishment, 'Tableland' offers positive working alternatives with as much focus on delicious food and where it comes from as the economic and ethical forces behind it.
"I can't think of a better day than Earth Day to focus on food safety and security issues and alternatives," said Atamanenko, Federal Agriculture & Rural Affairs Critic for the NDP.
"South Okanagan Similkameen food security groups are bringing these issues forward in their communities. I am happy to be able to join with Princeton food activists to sponsor this wonderful event."
"This is a great opportunity to learn more about how we can work together to create a healthy community," added local Healthy Harvest Box volunteer Ann Hughes.
"I hope all of the people involved in Princeton Healthy Harvest Box get out to see the documentary and have a chance to talk together with the food security panelists about issues that are vital to us all."
Refreshments will be available and admission is by donation, with proceeds going to the Princeton Healthy Harvest Box program.
MP SPEAKS ON PARK PROPOSAL
Southern Interior of BC
Some questions have been asked in regard to my position on the proposed national park for the South Okanagan-Similkameen area.
To date, my staff and I have worked hard to help facilitate a fair and transparent process during the feasibility phase of the proposal. Last summer we met with people representing those for and against the park, in addition to Parks Canada officials.
As a result a steering committee was formed with representation from both sides and Parks Canada. This resulted in public meetings in Penticton, Oliver, Osoyoos and Keremeos last November, where the public had an opportunity to ask questions of Parks Canada and state their views for and against in an open format for all to see and hear.
If the concept of a national park is to go ahead, it must have the support of the majority of citizens in the affected area.
An immediate priority is to address the concerns of the Okanagan Nation Alliance, which has worked diligently to propose a collaborative framework to the Provincial and Federal governments for the feasibility and evaluation processes.
Parks Canada, in its recent newsletter (Winter 2007/Spring 2008) continues to try and address a number of other concerns that people have raised. It says that the process has a way to go before they are ready to present a report on the feasibility study. A social and economic assessment of the proposed parks impact and an environmental assessment are also yet to be completed.
One of the striking points of the November series of public meetings was that almost all who attended were united in their fierce love of the beautiful landscapes, wildlife and nature surrounding their communities. Their approaches on how to ensure its future differ, however, and that is the challenge faced by Parks Canada, and in the end, all involved.
