A Rural Manitoba Municipality Makes Quiet Plans for a Sewage Lagoon - Does the Reeve Have a Conflict?

Dear Editor,
I recently learned I may be getting a new "neighbour" -  a sewage lagoon. 

The municipal plow prepares a way to the site for the drill truck. (l.)             




The grader and truck on the site.(below)

 













The drilling begins. PinP photos

The Rural Municipality of Shell River sent in a drill truck a week or two ago to sink holes less than a mile upwind of my retirement home in the country, north and west of Roblin. The test results will determine whether the site is suitable for such a project. Apparently, it could cost millions of dollars, especially if a liner has to be installed to prevent leakage.*

Turns out, the "quarter" is owned by the Reeve, Albert Nabe.


It's also within a couple of miles of some six farm homes nearby, mostly downwind as well. I was disappointed that no one from the RM council had given me a "heads-up" about this. I heard about it, instead, from a private individual at a social event.

Is this legal, you might ask? Well, I'm told, as long as Reeve Nabe declares that he has a "conflict" and does not vote on the matter, it is.

Is it right that an elected official can benefit financially by virtue of his position?

To me, that's another matter.

But you be the judge.

While I'm writing this, I'd like to take this opportunity to apologize to Keith Radford. Keith asked me to help him fight a similar project near his farm home at San Clara a few years ago. I did not. His appeals to government fell on deaf ears. The project went ahead.

Now, myself and my neighbours face a similar situation.

No less than two R.M. councillors have told me, the lagoon is required by the province, before plans for a new cottage subdivision on Lake of the Prairies, can be approved.

I wasn't even aware there were such plans. Apparently, the province isn't either!

I think an explanation is in order.

Larry Powell
Roblin
*If it goes ahead, an underground pipeline would carry the treated sewage, called "effluent," from the lagoon, into nearby Big Boggy Creek and then into Lake-of-the-Prairies, a popular fishing, boating and cottage resort.

Michael Pollen's Food Rules (Video)

Michael Pollan's Food Rules from Marija Jacimovic on Vimeo.

Planet Under Pressure Conference

London - UK - A major international conference focusing on solutions to the global sustainability challenge - International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme. Details here.

Ethical Oil: The Puppet Rap (Video)

Please also read: "EthicalOil.org Exposed,"here.

Climate Change Could Spawn Mass Migrations, Study Says

Huffington Post - Mar 13 - 2012
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Asian Development Bank is warning countries to prepare for influxes of people fleeing natural disasters as climate change exacerbates rising sea levels, soil degradation and seasonal flooding. Full story here.

Excellent Turn-Out For Roblin Farmers’ Market Public Meeting

Eleven people interested in vending during the 2012 season attended a planning meeting on March 12. Roblin Farmers’ Market invited customers and potential vendors to voice their interest, concerns, and dreams to long-time members Irene Mitchell and Tamela Friesen. Eleven people attended, including folks desiring to sell vegetables, breads, baked goods, crafts, pastured beef, pastured chickens for meat and eggs, greenhouse tomatoes and peppers, and massage therapy. “We were ecstatic to see such a boost to the number of potential vendors. We’ve been hoping to expand our collective offering and involvement for several years.” Friesen noted.

The Market hoped to find out what customers were looking for in a local market, as well as to encourage more diversity of product and vendors for the 2012 season. “While there are additional rules surrounding selling meat or egg products, there are provisions to make that possible. Vendors will explore options to make this niche product available to customers.” Mitchell said. “We’re also looking at a way to get fair-trade coffees, teas, and chocolates back into the mix.”

The group decided to continue at the Main Street location on Tuesdays. They may decide to open one hour earlier this year, as many customers expressed desire for longer hours. “We hope to make each week an event that locals and tourists look forward to.” Friesen explained. 

Contact:  

Tamela Friesen (937-2113-days)                                

or Irene Mitchell (937-4762)
Roblin Farmers’ Market
Email: tamshome@xplornet.com 

Farmer says Sow-Stall Phaseout not as Costly as Claimed

Dear Editor,                    

The sad reality for hundreds of thousands of sows is that the cost of getting rid of gestation crates (sow stalls) is being used as an excuse to prolong the cruel practice.

 

Market conditions for raising pigs in a factory setting are changing as Laura Rance pointed out in her February 23, 2012 editorial “The economics of animal welfare.”  People are increasingly less prepared to tolerate the inhumane way pregnant gilts and sows are confined in 2 foot by 7 foot crates on concrete slatted floors most of their lives.

 

The Manitoba Pork Council says producers are willing to adjust to changing market conditions.  But not until 2025, claiming that it will cost $1 million per existing operation to convert from sow stalls to group housing. 

 

Manitoba Agriculture and Food web-posted 2010 cost of production figures for a 500 sow farrow to finish operation show that a new gestation building costs $23.10 per square foot. Total building cost is $311,500.  Equipment costs are $18.90 per square foot or a total of $255,000.  Salvage value on equipment is 10% on a useful life of 10 years.  Buildings salvage for 12% over a 20 year facility life. Thus, a new equipped facility costs less than half of the MPC estimate.

 

Many of the existing barns were built in the late 1990’s and during the rapid expansion years from 2000-2004.  They are due for equipment renewal, are at the end of their useful life or are past middle-age.  The same is true for environmentally problematic liquid manure storages.

 

Group housing requires less equipment and is less costly than a stall system. Even better is a hoop barn system.  Industry has always known straw-based hoop barn housing is dramatically cheaper and sows are “moderately more productive” in this system.

 

Industry has no excuse not to get rid of sow stalls now, re-think how to raise hogs and move to a straw-based group housing system that treats sows humanely and is less problematic to Lake Winnipeg and the environment. 

 

Ruth Pryzner

RR 1

Alexander, Manitoba