Dear Editor,
After listening to the NRCB presentation to Foothills County on Sept. 20 regarding odours from Rimrock Feeders, I view it with skepticism for a few of the following reasons:
First reason is the short time frame of the NRCB reporting period of 3.5 months and at what stage the cattle were on full feed throughout that time period. This length of time could create many variables in the feed intake which changes the intensity of manure.
Secondly, the NRCB did not report on the feedlot capacity in correlation to the complaint events. Nor did the reeve or councillors ask such a crucial question. Obviously lower feedlot population combined with less feed consumption would result in lower odour events which equals less complaints.
Thirdly, there was no mention during the 3.5-month reporting period of the intensity of the wildfire smoke which was reported as 587 hours, equivalent to roughly 24 days, that affected this area. Therefore, the smoke, plus the fire retardent in the air would have masked the odours. Not to mention the fact that everyone stayed inside with sealed windows and doors to avoid exposure, again resulting in lower odour events and less complaints. The smoke also creates stress on the cattle who in turn eat less, resulting in less manure output and less odours.
Basically my conclusion is the NRCB presentation to Foothills County is only as good as the information or various factors that the NRCB included or did not include. The presentation confirms Rimrock odours continue to affect the County and Town of High River residents, so my guess is the complaints will continue until further compliance takes place.
I was also glad to see the County reeve has pulled her head out of the clouds and is possibly smelling the truth by inviting the NRCB to understand Rimrock's continuous odours. However, next time Foothills County may want to advertise or post the presentation notice somewhere more visible to County taxpayers or residents of High River so we could have enjoyed the dog and pony show front and centre.
Better yet, why isn't the NRCB odour complaint link and phone number posted on the County website for all County residents to find? It could possibly go right above the Rimrock Biodigester link the County so kindly advertises on its behalf.
Bill Bews
Foothills County
