Alberta government won’t be swayed by public opposition to buyouts in flood zones but continues to provide bullying and no help to property owners harmed by oil and gas and frac’ing

Province won’t be swayed by public opposition to buyouts in flood zones by James Wood, September 25, 2013, Calgary Herald
The provincial government is sticking to its plans to buy out homeowners with properties in floodways despite public concern over the policy, Municipal Affairs Minister Doug Griffiths said Tuesday. A Leger poll commissioned by the Herald showed that nearly three-quarters of respondents objected to the province paying the full cost of buying out properties in floodway zones, the areas most threatened by future inundations. Speaking to reporters following the announcement of a flood mitigation symposium in Calgary next week, Griffiths said the government is not paying the full market value for the homes but rather the tax-assessed value. “People have a property there, probably through no fault of their own,” he said. “We’re giving them all the incentive they need to move so we can clear the floodway so we can protect lives and properties.”

Following the massive flooding that swept through Calgary and southern Alberta in June, the Tory government announced it would buy out flood zone properties in communities where the flooding occurred and ban new development in the areas. … Wildrose Party Leader Danielle Smith said she’s not surprised by the lack of public support for the province’s flood zone buyouts. … At the same time, there is concern over the high cost of many of the homes in question, she said. “It seems backwards,” said Smith. [Emphasis added]

Viscount Cowdray’s home ‘under threat from fracking’, Viscount Cowdray thought he’d found the perfect home by Alice Philipson, September 25, 2013, The Telegraph
Lord Cowdray, 69, and his family were first approached by Celtique Energie 18 months ago for permission to drill for oil and gas on the land surrounding their new home Greenhill house. But although he refused, the company has now approached a local farmer who owns land around the house in Fernhurst, West Sussex. Lord Cowdray told the Daily Mail: “They now plan to start drilling an exploratory well just 500 metres from my door. “I am extremely concerned, but my neighbour has already sold this land on a long lease to the company and they are applying for permission to drill. I’ve been investigating the whole subject of fracking and the more I learn, the more concerned I’ve become.” He has since employed a researcher to investigate the potential damage of fracking around the world. [Emphasis added]

Above slide from Ernst Presentation in Belcoo, Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, February 21, 2012

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