practices started on the ground and committed to the long term - and then the policy," Richie said.
Those with any doubt as to the importance of the sage grouse to the Medicine Hat-based Grasslands Naturalists need not look further than the organization's logo featuring a puffed-up portrait of the controversial bird.
GN was part of the legal initiative to force the federal government's hand in protecting the sage grouse but that doesn't mean it doesn't understand ranchers' contributions to maintaining the landscape, according to past-president John Slater.
"They're there because they love the land," said Slater.
"They respect the wildlife and they protect it so you really have to give them credit for that."
But the sage grouse is far from the only species at risk within southeast Alberta, or even within Medicine Hat city limits.
"It's important to look at the big picture and look at what can be done to have a balance," said Slater.
"It's important to try to reduce the footprint - whether it's industry, housing development, roads or anything of that nature ... so that we can respect plants, animals, fish, bugs, everything."
He says across the prairies there are many species at risk, asking, "why is that the case ... why is there a higher concentration here?"
But for SARA protections to work, there has to be public buy-in, and stakeholders "need to sit around the table and discuss this."
Gerry Labas, head of the Medicine Hat's energy department, says the City has experience with drilling in environmentally sensitive areas, including Saskatchewan's Great Sand Hills.
In Alberta, and particularly Manyberries, Labas says the City has been following the provincially-set environmental guidelines.
"Since (the protection order) has happened, it's a bit of a game changer. And so we are looking at making sure we can get a good list of the species there, the habitat we have to contend with and try to get our heads around it," said Labas.
Earlier this year, Medicine Hat MP LaVar Payne indicated he too is looking for the answers to the piece of federal legislation passed by his government.
"I'm hearing there is a lot of people upset - farmers, ranchers, obviously the city," said Payne, adding Cypress County, LGX Oil and businesses are also expressing concerns.
"This whole thing has created quite a hornet's nest."
He says constituents are overwhelmingly expressing their dismay regarding the protection order.
Payne said he along with Cypress Hills-Grasslands MP David Anderson are currently engaged with federal Environment officials and, "asking a lot of questions and trying to get some answers."
Payne said he and his Saskatchewan counterpart, “have some major fears with the protection order and what it means for southeast Alberta and southwestt Saskatchewan.."
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He added, “sometimes we have to let nature do whatever nature is going to do."■
ur reality From dream to Detox facility will open its doors in 2015 By GILLIAN SLADE
In 2014, a residential detoxification facility for Medicine Hat will go from the dream phase to actual bricks and mortar.
A schematic design of the 1,381 sq. m building, to be constructed on the 2.5 acre parcel of land at 370 Kipling Street, is expected to be revealed this spring.
It’s not clear yet whether it will be a single or multi-storey building but the site provides numerous options including plenty of parking and landscaping.
“We will be on site at the beginning of August to demolish the existing buildings on site,” said Larry Raymond, senior project manager for Alberta Infrastructure. “By then we expect to be very close to awarding contracts to start construction of the new facility.”
Raymond expects construction of the new building to start in September and be complete by the end of 2015.
“The facility will be a 24/7 residential treatment option for people recovering from an addiction,” said Sean Chilton, senior vice president, AHS South Zone. “There will be six detoxification beds and 12 residential beds.”
While there are a number of services available for people with addictions, the missing piece in Medicine Hat has always been the “residential detoxification” option, said Chris Christie, executive director for McMan youth, Family and Community Services Association Southeast Region.
“This place will bring the support that is needed,” said Christie.
Arranging for someone to have treatment in another community, after detoxification in a hospital setting, has simply taken too long for some.
“There is only a small window of opportunity when somebody is ready,” said Sharon Hayward, executive director for Canadian Mental Health Association - Alberta Southeast Region.
The six detoxification beds will operate 24/7 with an average length of stay expected to be about five to seven days.
“This service is around stabilization of persons experiencing detox,” said Chilton. “Staff will evaluate whether the detox treatment program is the best option for them.”
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Typically clients remain in bed for the first 48 hours and the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) will complete the physical assessment within the first 24 hours of admission. If they have concerns they would connect with family physicians and the hospital as necessary.
“It is not a program to provide a place to sleep it off overnight in a safe environment. The Salvation Army currently provides that service in Medicine Hat and that will continue,” said Chilton. “Clients must have reached a place where they really want to change.”
There will also be out-patient treatment areas for about 12 clients. On-site staff will include addiction counsellors, client care assistants, with the VON providing additional services. Emergencies, as always, will be referred through 911.
For the residential and out-patient treatment services the program takes about three weeks, starting on a Monday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Out-patient clients and residential clients will attend together,” said Chilton. “They’ll be separated probably into groups of eight. It is really around individual and small group therapy.”
Individual family counselling, individual anger management, recovery management, gender specific addiction issues and culturally specific groups will be part of the program. The evenings will be a quiet time and attending scheduled self-help meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous and supervised recreation exercise, said Chilton.
Some families will be allowed to visit on evenings and weekends.
“We will we working with local service agencies such as the Housing First team and assist clients to meet basic needs as they go through the program,” said Chilton.
Working with local agencies to address all the issues that may be contributing to someone’s addiction are part of the program.
“In a small community such as Medicine Hat agencies are in touch with each other and have a strong desire to serve and collaborate,” said Christie.
The location of the residential detoxification facility appears to have pleased most. Raymond says there has been no negative feedback at all.
Hayward says it is close enough to homes and yet is in a separate area. ■
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