Suzanne Oel – Division 4
Greetings! Sharing my News Update…
West Foothills Water Investigations:
The Engineering Study for the conceptual West Foothills Water Pipeline extension is available for review and sharing. A reminder that this is not an official project – see next steps below for more details. Expression of Interest information was collected by the West Foothills Water (WFW) Coalition in 2025, includ-ing landowners in the areas near Highway 762, from 242 Ave. W to Highway 22, within Division 4. Foothills County mapped the expression of interest and has provided cost estimates. This study was released to residents, as amended, on January 15, 2026. A digital copy is available to area residents who may wish to review this information. Let me know if you would be interested in obtaining a PDF copy by email.
West Foothills Water Next Steps:
• 2026-dated Study regarding conceptual potable water pipeline extension sharing with WFW Coalition.
- 2026-dated Study regarding conceptual potable water pipeline extension sharing with interested residents.
- WFW Coalition to work with Foothills County Director of Public Works regarding clarification.
- WFW Coalition to work on their own report and share with Foothills County Director of Public Works.
- Foothills County to review WFW report and work with WFW Coalition regarding clarification.
- When ready, WFW Coalition to call the next meeting with residents. Foothills County to assist.
- Interested residents can pose questions at the next meeting, where additional information and processes can also be discussed.
Film Production in Foothills County:
On October 15, 2025, planning staff were directed to prepare a report for Council’s consideration regarding potential amendments to the Land Use Bylaw and/or licensing, addressing regulations for Film Production. On January 7, 2026, a report was presented to Council, which identified the current County frame-work with minimal references in the Land Use Bylaw, explained the “Filming on Municipal Roads” application requirement, and explored how film and media production is regulated in other municipalities. Foothills identified key consideration for evaluating regulations, including minimizing administrative burden, providing adequate landowner notification, enhancing emergency and public safety coordination, and reducing concerns from neighbouring properties.
After Discussions: Council made a decision to regulate film and media production in Foothills County, and directed staff to prepare the necessary bylaws, application forms, fee schedules, and administrative processes, and to return to Council for further consideration. These drafts could include notice of filming, temporary film production, business licensing, event licensing, film site licensing, identification of thresholds, application requirements, plus fee and cost recovery. Link to Foothills County January 7, 2026, Council Meeting recording and agenda package: www.foothillscountyab.ca/government/council-committees/meetings-hearings/council-meeting-07-jan-2026
New Fire Chief: Foothills County welcomes Alex Marshall to the position.
Best wishes!
Invasive Aquatic Species: Non-native organisms that were brought from other places into Alberta’s water can cause harm to our environment, economy, and health. Prevention is essential since many are difficult to eradicate once established. At a recent Government event, the more serious threats to Alberta were noted: Mussels (Zebra, Quagga, Golden), Flowering Rush, Phragmites, Pale Yellow Iris, Himalayan Balsam, Purple Loosetrife, Curly Leaf Pondweed, Chinese Mystery Snail, Prussian Carp, Goldfish, Koi, Common Carp, Northern Crayfish, and more.
Invasive Prussian Carp: These fish were confirmed in the Bow, Red Deer, and South Saskatchewan river basins between 2006 and 2012 and have since spread widely throughout these river systems, and are also found in stocked ponds in Central and Southern Alberta. Within Foothills County, you can see a significant population in Frank Lake. Introductions of Prussian Carp have been associated with declines of native fish species, benthic invertebrates and plankton, and are also known to affect water quality due to increasing turbidity (cloudiness) during foraging activities.
Alberta Government Responses to Invasive Aquatic Species: Various strategies are underway to help prevent these serious threats from taking root in Alberta. New rules apply for watercraft entering Alberta from the east and south to help keep out invasive species. Learn more about “Clean-Drain-Dry your gear”, “Don’t let it loose”, “Watercraft in-spections”, and more, at: www.alberta.ca/aquatic-invasive-species
Alberta Invasive Species Council: For photos, detailed information and management of invasive species, visit: https://abinvasives.ca
For Other News & Updates:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CouncillorSuzanneOel/
Email: Suzanne.Oel@FoothillsCountyAB.ca
Visit High Country News online for my previous articles.
With Best Regards,
Suzanne
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