Alberta farmers vow to continue the fight against the proposed motorsports park

The Alberta Environmental Appeals Board has rejected an appeal from a group of concerned citizens regarding the construction of a motorsports park near the community of Rosebud.

The group is fighting passage of the 2020 Water Act by Alberta Environment and Protected Places.

The recent ruling by the Alberta Environmental Appeal Board allows the development of the Badlands Motorsport Resort.

The panel ruled there was insufficient evidence that the racing complex would harm birds such as sand martins, eagles and falcons.

Construction of the race track would fill two wetlands and modify three others.

“The director recognized that the Badlands activities would have a limited impact on wildlife, as would any activity on previously undeveloped agricultural lands. However, the director stated that the Badlands activities, including the removal of two wetlands from the area, would not have a significant impact on wildlife, including the sand martin and the little brown myotis,” the ruling said.

The EAW ruling included a requirement that the approval holder submit a proposal for a wetland monitoring program, which would include submitting an annual plan to determine the ecological health of the wetlands.

“This decision by the province of Alberta is completely unacceptable. How is it that a large-scale, high-speed race track is being approved in critical habitat for a species at risk of extinction due to motor vehicle collisions? said Rick Skibsted, a neighboring landowner, farmer and winner of the 2018 J. Laslo Legacy Award for conservation.

Skibsted noted that “vehicle collisions” is one reason the bank swallow population is declining.

Wendy Clark is another farmer spearheading efforts to halt development.

Clark said she, like other farmers in the area, feels it is their job to take care of this river valley.

She said she is concerned about the impact on the land, water and wildlife.

“The drought is putting even more pressure on the valley. Every inch of habitat down there is necessary for wildlife survival,” Clark said.

The CFO of Badlands Motorsport Resort says the primary track is well above the Rosebud River and another potential track would dip into the valley.

“Wild animals should not be affected by the circuit,” James Zelazo said on Friday. “We adhere to all the rules and if there is any danger, we will stop construction if that is the case, but there is no evidence of that,”

The company hopes to begin construction this fall, but Zelazo says progress is dependent on financing.

Zelazo said he is confident the province will provide $11 million to pay for 75 percent of the cost of paving and widening a 10km access road from Highway 9.

Global News reached out to Alberta Transportation for confirmation but did not receive a response regarding the funding situation.

The latest project includes a plan to build a $500 million motorsports park and residential complex near the Rosebud River, 100 km east of Calgary.

In a statement to Global News, the Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) said that “it objects to the province’s latest move to prioritize development over the health of vital ecological spaces.”

“We cannot afford to lose any more of the prairie habitat,” said Ruiping Luo, a conservation specialist with the AWA. “Especially not in areas that have been confirmed as critical habitat for species at risk, such as the sand martin.”

“It will actually fragment and destroy some of the wetlands,” Skibsted said.

Skibsted noted that the drought has had a major impact on the land around Rosebud.

“Everything here is dry, dry, dry. We haven’t had a drain in years. Very few of our ponds and pools contain water. The development is effectively destroying a unique set of wetlands on the site. It is a paving over a huge area. It’s a very bad idea.”

Skibsted noted that the area is popular with bird watchers and people who use canoes or kayaks to paddle down the river.

“If you ever go down the Rosebud River, it’s so peaceful and quiet. It’s almost surreal,” Skibsted said

Clark said residents aren’t done fighting the project yet.

“We are optimistic. We are definitely not at the end. There are a lot of options in front of us,” Clark said.