News Release - Horseshoe Lands Area Structure Plan Update

The Horseshoe Lands project has been proactive in its efforts to solicit stakeholder feedback en route to building a small mountain community that accommodates residential, retail, commercial and light industrial land use in an environmentally, economically and socially sustainable manner.

March 5, 2007:  Exshaw, AB – “We have researched our project thoroughly, planned and consulted with professionals, governments, groups and associations, the general public and other stakeholders in preparation for today’s second Public Hearing,” says John Third, Horseshoe Lands’ Director of Marketing and Public Relations. “We are by no means finished, as we continue to review and adapt as we move forward with this long-term project that will take up to 20 years to complete.”

Third added, “Over the past several months we have been very busy. Among our activities, we have held six Public Open Houses, conducted dozens of Horseshoe Lands Site Visits, and met with dozens of environmental groups, industry groups and community associations. We have also held meetings with provincial government officials and departments, and participated in more than 100 planning meetings with our engineering firm UMA/AECOM and various consultants.”

“We have done our research and up front environmental homework,” says Third. “We have been very proactive at soliciting and receiving feedback from a variety of stakeholder groups.  Over the life of this project we will continue to evaluate and reassess feedback from our stakeholders.”

Environmental Sustainability - The developers of Horseshoe Lands have conducted thorough environmental studies, research and assessments using qualified professionals. As well, the developers have consulted with the province of Alberta and met all the government’s environmental requirements for the Area Structure Plan.

We have also conducted more than two-dozen studies related to the following topics: roads, fisheries, vegetation, water (potable, waste, storm, surface and ground), history of the area (including archaeological studies), wildlife (including spring, summer and winter habitat studies as well as wildlife corridor studies - local and regional movements) and preliminary geotechnical studies.

The Horseshoe Lands project is also committed to protecting sensitive areas and species and minimizing non-renewable energy use.

Fiscal Sustainability - The developers of Horseshoe Lands have a plan that allows enough industrial and commercial revenues to compensate for any shortfalls in residential taxation. Generating more revenues and taxes than expenses will result in a long-term net fiscal gain for the M. D. of Bighorn. The developers have a strategy to attract people and businesses that will make the town fiscally sustainable over the long-term.

Housing Considerations - The developers of Horseshoe Lands are committed to having 10 percent of the housing to be affordable, with a provision for social housing. We also estimate the design and pricing of residential housing to be comparable to those currently available in Cochrane.

Water Considerations - The developers of Horseshoe Lands have a plan to build a suitable water distribution system using either Exshaw wells or the Bow River. They will incorporate the latest world-class technology for water treatment, purification, distribution and conservation. More than 80 percent of the water used within the community will be treated and returned to the Bow River. At that point, it will be as clean or cleaner than the water currently in the Bow.

About Horseshoe Lands Area Structure Plan
The Horseshoe Lands Area Structure Plan calls for the development of a community about the size of Crowsnest Pass or Rocky Mountain House, which will be located north of the Trans Canada Highway and Kananaskis Highway #40, interchange. The vision is to build a model Alberta mountain community that accommodates residential, retail, commercial and light industrial land use in an environmentally, economically and socially sustainable manner. The Horseshoe Lands development is a partnership between Moondance Land Company Ltd. and Stoney Nakoda  Developments Ltd. 991021, a wholly owned company of the Stoney Nakoda Nation.

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