Photo courtesy of the Friends of the Blindman River website.
The Friends of the Blindman River community group is inviting Central Albertans to a public meeting and information session regarding freshwater use for hydraulic fracturing.
“The public meeting will offer attendees an in-depth view of freshwater use in hydraulic fracturing and the associated processes and approvals for water licences within the Blindman River watershed,” said Haleigh Sanderson, spokesperson for the Friends of the Blindman River. “The meeting will also share the importance of maintaining healthy water levels and river/creek ecosystems within the Blindman River sub-basin of the Red Deer River.”
The meeting will include presentations from:
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A representative from Baytex Energy who will provide an overview of freshwater use in hydraulic fracturing operations from an industry perspective.
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A representative from the Alberta Energy Regulator who will discuss current water licences and trends in the Blindman River sub-basin. The presentation will also include a summary of water licensing regulations, monitoring, and enforcement on the Blindman River and surrounding surface waters.
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A representative from the Alberta Environment and Protected Areas who will give an update on the current Water Management Plan for the Blindman sub-basin. This will include current water policies affecting upstream oil and gas and the process for creating and modifying water policies.
The meeting will wrap up with a question-and-answer period, to provide attendees with additional insight into freshwater use in hydraulic fracturing operations.
The public meeting will be on Aug. 8, at 6:30 p.m., at the Bluffton Liberty Hall (AB-611).