News Leader News for July 24, 2007
PETROBANK CONTINUES LOCAL PROJECT
Petrobank Energy and Resources Ltd. is planning to drill two wells in the Princeton area and will increase dialogue with the community about its plans for these coalbed gas (CBG) evaluation wells. This continuing work is part of a thorough study of the local CBG basin that began with a test well 4.5-kilometres southeast of Princeton in 2005.
"We learned a lot about the composition of this basin with our last well," 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 will soon be contacting affected landowners about the company's plans. Once done, the company will release its plans in greater detail with a local open house and will continue to provide the Princeton media with news releases and interviews along with publishing information advertisements. In April Petrobank visited Princeton officials to provide an update and answer questions from Town Council.
"It is our goal to share all the facts about our work in Princeton and we want to do that in a very public fashion," says Smith.
"Our experience in Princeton has been very positive and this is in part because of our open communication with the community."
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 government regulations regarding water disposal, protection of the environment and community consultation.
"We're proud of our local track record," says Smith.
"In our entire history in Princeton, whenever we said we'd do something, we did it and did it well."
Over the past 18 months, Petrobank has purchased advertising in the local newspapers sharing information about the company's activity in the area and CBG drilling in general. 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.
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.
More information about Petrobank and its operations can be found at www.petrobank.com.
ARTS COUNCIL WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT
A new year begins for Princeton & District Community Arts Council following the annual general meeting held July 18. Rika Ruebsaat, who has been involved in many aspects of the arts, was elected President, with Paul Huycke continuing as Vice-President. Nick Mills was re-elected as Treasurer and Jon Bartlett as Secretary. Directors are Mary Bedford and Del Hall, with newcomer Sue Alton.
Nick Mills presented the year end financial statement showing the Arts Council is in good shape financially.
He advised the Arts Council member groups they must have their applications for BC Arts Council grants in his hands no later than the date of the next meeting, September 19.
Retiring President Dawn Johnson thanked the past executive for their support and commended member groups for their achievements during her term in office.
Johnson was presented with a beautiful bouquet, a mug and a card in thanks for her work as Arts Council President during the past three years.
TOWN WANTS GAS MONEY
There is $2.7 million in federal gas tax revenue sharing to be distributed by the Union of B.C. Municipalities. Princeton Town Council wants some of this money for local projects.
Town Council is applying, through Regional District, for funding for three projects: Two Rivers Park "Bridge of Dreams", Solid Waste Management Plan Update and Heritage Park Development and Foot Bridge.
The first project, the Bridge of Dreams, is a project for a foot bridge across the Tulameen River to link the TransCanada Trail ends. Now, people walking the trail must leave it and cross the Highway 5A bridge, an awkward and potentially dangerous route. The estimated cost of this project is $580,000.
The Solid Waste Management Plan Update is estimated at $35,000, and is meant to update the Princeton & District Landfill Operating and Closure Plan.
The Heritage Park and Foot Bridge has been a dream of Mayor Randy McLean for at least a decade, and has the support of Upper Similkameen Indian Band.
The concept is to link Two Rivers Park, via a footbridge across the Similkameen River, to the area where the Tourist Information Centre is located. This is estimated to cost $675,000. In addition, Council would like $25,000 for the development of a heritage park plan.
The plan would utilize the space between Upper Similkameen Indian Band forestry office and the Tourist Information Centre. Part of this area is owned by the Indian Band. The concept is to provide a tourist attraction in the form of an educational park outlining the early history of the Princeton area.
