Dead Man's Flats plan pits Canmore against MD of Bighorn

Development and preservation are constantly at odds in the mountains west of Calgary, and now two municipalities are squaring off over future plans for Dead Man's Flats.

The hamlet just outside of Canmore is controlled by the MD of Bighorn,which has changed the zoning for an area in the communityfrom tourism and recreation to light industrial, in hopes of attractingfuture development.

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Canmore is fighting the change and has filed an appeal, citing the importance of the area as a wildlife corridor.

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"It's situated right where the underpass comes up, where the animals would flow. It's our understanding that this could act as a barrier of movement for the animals through that area," said Canmore Coun.Sean Krausert.

Keeping options open

Martin Buckley,chief administrative officer for the MD of Bighorn,says there are no immediate plans to develop the area, but the municipality has to keep its options open.

"We've lost some tax revenue as the result of the shutdown of a major gas plant up north, the flood has affected us as well. So it's a case of looking to the future for us," he said.

Buckley also takes issue with the presumedimpact of any development, and says there's no evidence the wildlife corridor would be impacted.

Canmore wanted to take part in mediation to resolve the issue, but the MD of Bighorn declined the offer. Canmore will now file an appeal though the Municipal Government Board, which adjudicates land planning and assessment matters.