Picture Butte takes steps to ban manure use in town

By Nikki Jamieson
Sunny South News

Manure may soon be banned within the town of Picture Butte.

Added as an amendment to the agenda under request for decision, bylaw 864-17, an amendment to the land use bylaw, received first reading during Picture Butte town council’s regular Oct. 23 meeting.

The discussion had gone in-camera, or was not open to the public, for the item. However, upon coming out of the in-camera session to make the motion, deputy mayor Joe Watson requested some clarification on the motion.

“I just got to get this clear; that motion then says we accept this one here that’s before us, and this one here says no manure on town properties,” said Watson.

Town CAO Keith Jones confirmed that as correct. Watson then inquired if they could go to Lethbridge County and do an IDP program with them, asking if it would make sense to do so.

“You would have to start in your own house. So, if you want manure spreading to be banned in town, this is the means it would be (done with),” said Jones. “The IDP, then you would make the argument, if you want to make a buffer zone within the county, then you would make that argument with the municipal development plan and with the county.”

As this would mark just the first reading of the bylaw, an open house would have to be held before second and third reading take place.

Although the discussion was in-camera, the topic of manure spreading in town has been brought up before. During their regular Aug. 14 meeting, council received a resident letter in regards to manure being spread on a property, and during their regular July 14 meeting, council passed a motion to direct administration to prepare an amendment to the Land Use Bylaw specifically banning the spreading of manure within town limits.

According to the proposed amendment, the purpose of the amendment is to “regulate and clarify the regulations pertaining to extensive agriculture, the keeping of livestock and manure spreading within town limits”, as described in Schedule A of the land-use bylaw.

Council passed a motion to perform first reading of bylaw 864-17. A public hearing will take place on Monday, Nov. 27, at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers.

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