RM of Meota resident concerned about truck traffic from proposed production plant

Straub said she is aware of another resident who has an acreage near the intersection of Hwy. 26 and Hwy. 4 in the RM of Meota, who also has concerns about potential noise and dust from truck traffic related to the project.

Straub is also concerned about public safety, saying many people access the same road as the route proposed when driving to the nearby lake in the summertime.

When the RM of Meota held its council meeting Wednesday, it discussed some details of the proposed project.

RM of Meota Reeve Sherry Jimmy confirmed Serafina Energy is looking at developing a plant in the area. She said the company has put forth a proposal to develop a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) oil production plant, called Meota East, in the area.

The RM of Meota plans to meet with the company in the near future.

Serafina previously held an open house for the public to discuss the project.

The Reeve said the route the company’s trucks will be taking to and from the proposed plant hasn’t been finalized yet.

“That’s part of the reason for our meeting with Serafina later this month,” she said. “Once the route is decided, then the RM has an obligation and a commitment to our ratepayers … [to have] mitigation meetings with the people in proximity to that area who feel that they will be adversely affected by the route.”

Jimmy said some ratepayers along the initial route have expressed their concern about the anticipated heavy traffic.

“Everyone likes to see economic development, but it can be a challenge when it’s in your own backyard,” Jimmy said.

The Reeve said the RM likely won’t be able to resolve everyone’s issues related to the transportation route planned by the company, but “we’ll certainly do our best to mitigate where we can.”

She added the RM does have a responsibility to ensure the road infrastructure within the RM to and from Serafina Energy’s proposed plant is maintained so the product can be properly transported.

She said the proposed plant is located East of Hwy. 4, so no matter which route is chosen there will have to be an access off of Hwy. 4.

Calls by battlefordsNOW to Serafina company officials were not immediately returned.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW

by Angela Brown

RM of Meota resident concerned about truck traffic from proposed production plant

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