Let's Continue Moving Forward
Submitted by Barb on Wed, 01/18/2006 - 12:09.
News and Updates
Gateway Gazette
2nd Year
November 8, 2005
By Pam Jones
Editor
Recently two forums were held on the local water issues and the Gas Plant. The first forum was held in Black Diamond on October 25th and the second was at the Town Hall Meeting in Turner Valley on November 1st.
Both forums were well attended and extremely informative. The panels were knowledgeable in their fields and very willing to listen to the concerns raised and gave informed answers.
The following is a re-print of a hand out made available to those people who attended the Turner Valley forum.
Why did the Government of Alberta acquire the Turner Valley Gas Plant?
The plant is historically significant. The petroleum stike at Turner Valley in 1914 began the modern era of oil and gas exploration and processing in Alberta. It is the earliest and best surviving example of an operating gas plant in Canada.
The Alberta Government acquired the site in 1988. It was designated a Provincial Historic Resource in 1989 and a National Historic Site in 1995. Under the terms of the acquisition, the Province assumed responsiblity for the clean up, with a cash donation from the oil companies.
What environment hazards were identified in and around the site?
In addition to the naturally occurring gas seeps, four kinds of contaminants were identified on site: asbestos, mercury, sulphur and hydrocarbons.
What has been cleaned up?
The asbestos, mercury and sulphur have been cleaned up.
Many of the pipes and tanks were insulated with asbestos. All the asbestos was either removed from the site or encapsulated (contained).
Mercury contaminated soil was removed from the tour path and replaced by clean fill. Mercury was also removed from the cracks in the building floors and the cracks were sealed.
Soil with sulphur deposits was removed from the site. Lime was added to the remaining soil to restore the PH level.
The hydrocarbons in the soil in and around the underground storage tanks were removed along with most of the tanks. Tanks that could not be removed were cleaned and filled with concrete.
What is left to clean up?
The next phase of the clean up is to install a permanent containment system between the gas plant and the Sheep River to prevent hydrocarbons from moving off site and to allow for removal of the hydrocarbons.
Will the Government continue to monitor environmental hazards on the site?
Yes. Water monitoring and testing is conducted in and around the site a minimum of twice a year.
Does the Calgary Health Region consider the site a public health hazard?
No. The Calgary Health Region stated in a letter to the government this past August it is now safe for pregnant women and children to take the site tour.
What has the government done to address the damage done by the 2005 summer floods?
During the floods the Sheep River overflowed its banks causing erosion and a shift in the river channel bringing it closer to the site.
A flood damage repair project is underway to address the erosion, shift the river back to its original course and provide a buffer zone between the site and the river.
What is the government's plan for developing the Turner Valley Gas Plant?
Once the containment and treatment system is complete, which is anticipated to be fall 2006, the government will review and update the multi-year plan for long-term management of the site.
Who can I contact for more information?
For more information on the reclamation work and development of the Turner Valley Gas Plant contact Ron Johnson with Alberta Community Development at (789) 431-2368. Dial 310-0000 for toll free access.
For information on testing facilitated by Alberta Environment contact Martin Foy at (403) 297-7950. Dial 310-0000 for tol free access.
For information on public health hazards contact Tim Lambert with the Calgary Health Region (403) 943-8048.
You can also visit the website at:
www.turnervalley.gov.ab.ca where up to date information is provided with regards to the reclamation project and recent test results.
With all that said and done it is my personal opinion that the Turner Valley Gas Plant is a part of our heritage. Yes, we want a safe heritage to pass on to our children but if we continue to hold the government accountable for its ownership of the site we can and will have just that - a safe historic site that will draw tourists and educatiors to our area.
If we continue to fear monger about trace elements that are proven to be under acceptable limits then no, we won't have a safe site and we will do damage to our economic base that most people are working hard to improve.
Some say no amount of contaminants is acceptable. I say then live in your bubble and don't drive your car, heat your home with natural gas, take a plane ride, use liquid dish soap, plastic or Styrofoam, wear waterproof clothes to visit Downtown Calgary.
2nd Year
November 8, 2005
By Pam Jones
Editor
Recently two forums were held on the local water issues and the Gas Plant. The first forum was held in Black Diamond on October 25th and the second was at the Town Hall Meeting in Turner Valley on November 1st.
Both forums were well attended and extremely informative. The panels were knowledgeable in their fields and very willing to listen to the concerns raised and gave informed answers.
The following is a re-print of a hand out made available to those people who attended the Turner Valley forum.
Why did the Government of Alberta acquire the Turner Valley Gas Plant?
The plant is historically significant. The petroleum stike at Turner Valley in 1914 began the modern era of oil and gas exploration and processing in Alberta. It is the earliest and best surviving example of an operating gas plant in Canada.
The Alberta Government acquired the site in 1988. It was designated a Provincial Historic Resource in 1989 and a National Historic Site in 1995. Under the terms of the acquisition, the Province assumed responsiblity for the clean up, with a cash donation from the oil companies.
What environment hazards were identified in and around the site?
In addition to the naturally occurring gas seeps, four kinds of contaminants were identified on site: asbestos, mercury, sulphur and hydrocarbons.
What has been cleaned up?
The asbestos, mercury and sulphur have been cleaned up.
Many of the pipes and tanks were insulated with asbestos. All the asbestos was either removed from the site or encapsulated (contained).
Mercury contaminated soil was removed from the tour path and replaced by clean fill. Mercury was also removed from the cracks in the building floors and the cracks were sealed.
Soil with sulphur deposits was removed from the site. Lime was added to the remaining soil to restore the PH level.
The hydrocarbons in the soil in and around the underground storage tanks were removed along with most of the tanks. Tanks that could not be removed were cleaned and filled with concrete.
What is left to clean up?
The next phase of the clean up is to install a permanent containment system between the gas plant and the Sheep River to prevent hydrocarbons from moving off site and to allow for removal of the hydrocarbons.
Will the Government continue to monitor environmental hazards on the site?
Yes. Water monitoring and testing is conducted in and around the site a minimum of twice a year.
Does the Calgary Health Region consider the site a public health hazard?
No. The Calgary Health Region stated in a letter to the government this past August it is now safe for pregnant women and children to take the site tour.
What has the government done to address the damage done by the 2005 summer floods?
During the floods the Sheep River overflowed its banks causing erosion and a shift in the river channel bringing it closer to the site.
A flood damage repair project is underway to address the erosion, shift the river back to its original course and provide a buffer zone between the site and the river.
What is the government's plan for developing the Turner Valley Gas Plant?
Once the containment and treatment system is complete, which is anticipated to be fall 2006, the government will review and update the multi-year plan for long-term management of the site.
Who can I contact for more information?
For more information on the reclamation work and development of the Turner Valley Gas Plant contact Ron Johnson with Alberta Community Development at (789) 431-2368. Dial 310-0000 for toll free access.
For information on testing facilitated by Alberta Environment contact Martin Foy at (403) 297-7950. Dial 310-0000 for tol free access.
For information on public health hazards contact Tim Lambert with the Calgary Health Region (403) 943-8048.
You can also visit the website at:
www.turnervalley.gov.ab.ca where up to date information is provided with regards to the reclamation project and recent test results.
With all that said and done it is my personal opinion that the Turner Valley Gas Plant is a part of our heritage. Yes, we want a safe heritage to pass on to our children but if we continue to hold the government accountable for its ownership of the site we can and will have just that - a safe historic site that will draw tourists and educatiors to our area.
If we continue to fear monger about trace elements that are proven to be under acceptable limits then no, we won't have a safe site and we will do damage to our economic base that most people are working hard to improve.
Some say no amount of contaminants is acceptable. I say then live in your bubble and don't drive your car, heat your home with natural gas, take a plane ride, use liquid dish soap, plastic or Styrofoam, wear waterproof clothes to visit Downtown Calgary.
Sponsored in part by:
Turner Valley Oil Field Society
This project was funded in part by the Alberta Historical Resources
Foundation.
This project has been made possible in part through a grant from the Museums Assistance Program, Department of Canadian Heritage.