Skip to content

Some residents still need to sign waterline right-of-way

Not all of the residents along the regional waterline route have signed off on the right-of-way, and while it may seem dismal to some, the engineers responsible for the project have seen it time and time again.
18.news.waterline
There are still residents needing to sign-off on the right-of-way for the waterline.

Not all of the residents along the regional waterline route have signed off on the right-of-way, and while it may seem dismal to some, the engineers responsible for the project have seen it time and time again.


“Essentially, we have a few residents the land agents have been dealing with on the alignment and right-of-way for the waterline. A majority of what we’re looking for is temporary workspace, because a majority of the line is coming down the Iron Horse Trail,” explained Darcy Zelisko, director of transportation and utilities for the MD of Bonnyville, and member of the technical review committee for the project.


He added, “The engineers did reassure us that on a project of this size and scope, there has always been redesigns or alternate routes, and there is always a hurdle that they’ve had to overcome along the way.”


AECOM was hired as the engineering firm for the waterline. They, along with the municipalities involved, plan on meeting with residents who have yet to sign the right-of-way to answer questions and address any apprehensions.


“In most cases, they only received one visit from a land person, and the resident may not have been able to make it out to one of the open houses. They tend to feel a little left in the dark,” Reeve Greg Sawchuk explained. “We’re trying to arrange a meeting with those who haven’t signed-off yet.”


According to Sawchuk, there are both rural and urban residents who have yet to sign the dotted line.


During the meetings, they will discuss the scope of the project, how the land will be used and impacted, and the different ways the pipeline will be built.


Sawchuk said the plan is to drill in some areas, and in others to go with an open pit concept.


While some property owners are apprehensive about the impact in terms of property value, others are concerned about the environmental influence.


Zelisko detailed, “There are some residents that live along the alignment right now that are concerned about the loss of trees and shelterbelt when we need to dig for the waterline. They’re still negotiating back and forth on whether or not how much area we can get, if we will have to directional drill so we don’t disturb the trees, or use trench blocking so we’re not as big of a disturbance. They’re still trying to work out those concerns.”


He added, it’s within the contract for some trees to be replaced and maintained for a couple of years post-completion.


“It won’t be to the extent as to what’s on the Iron Horse Trail right now, or what residents have, but hopefully over time, things will grow and it will look good.”


Compensation is discussed with the owners of properties impacted by the project.


“In principle, what ends up happening when we run the waterline on somebody’s property, is we ask for permission. Then, they grant a right-of-way. Part of that compensation is usually done by a formula,” expressed Bonnyville Mayor Gene Sobolewski.


Cold Lake Mayor Craig Copeland said for the most part, they’ve come to an agreement with residents along the route, but he admits they won’t be the only ones affected by the construction.


“Once they start digging, there will be a lot of residents of Cold Lake who are going to see the pipeline’s route, because it has to go from the water treatment plant, all the way towards the museum. It will eventually go to the Walmart area, go underneath the highway, and then down the Iron Horse Trail,” he noted. “Everyone will just have to be patient. Once they start digging the pipeline, they will move pretty fast.”


Although it’s a long process and they’re really just getting started, Zelisko feels it will all be worth it in the end.


“At the end of the day, you’ll have a very good water source for the Town of Bonnyville, and another source for the MD.”


He added, “This is only phase one. There is already talk of phase two that will go south through Cold Lake First Nations and down that way.”


A meeting with property owners who haven’t signed off on the right-of-way hasn’t been scheduled at this point, but the engineers will be included in discussion.


“We will get the engineers involved, and then they can answer all of the questions the residents have, because we don’t know the technical aspect of why they need to go where they want to go,” Zelisko said.

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks