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2014-2018
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Birch Hills County
Birch Hills County is located in the Central Peace Region, bordered by the Peace River to the North and the Smoky River to the East. Located within the County are the hamlets of Eaglesham, Peoria, Tangent, Wanham and Watino. Oil and Gas provide the largest sector of employment in the County.
Paying Bills Online
Pay your bills with telephone or online banking through:
- ATB
- Scotia Bank
- Credit Union
- TD Canada Trust
- CIBC
- BMO
- E-Transfer to: finance@birchhillscounty.com
Pay your bills now with OptionPay
Birch Hills County is pleased to announce that we are now accepting payments with select credit cards through our OptionPay System. Payments for municipal services may be paid online or through the Administration Office.
OptionPay is a payment card system Birch Hills County uses for its credit card transactions. You can find more information on OptionPay by visiting their website.
No Physician Coverage in Smoky River ED
Sacred Heart Community Health Centre emergency department (ED) will be without on-site physician coverage for 24 hours, from 7 a.m. to 7 a.m., on Sept. 20, 22, 23 and 30. Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency and EMS calls will be re-routed to High Prairie Health Complex, 50 km away. This is a temporary measure and AHS is working to ensure local residents continue to have access to the care they need during this time. Nursing staff will remain on-site in providing care for inpatients, with one local physician in the community.
September 28, 2021 Regular Council Meeting
Tue, September 28, 2021 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (MDT)
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/288759973
CAO LARRY DAVIDSON
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new Chief Administrative Officer for Birch Hills County and say that I look forward to working with Council and our staff to implement Council’s strategic plan. The plan, which will be finalized in the coming weeks, will provide a new template to engage residents, provide greater transparency to provide cost-effective services and promote growth within the region. My wife Elaina and I look forward to attending community events and becoming part of the community. We enjoy camping, golf, motorcycle riding and time with family.
2021 Canada-Alberta Livestock Feed Assistance Initiative
Producers can apply for an initial AgriRecovery payment through the 2021 Canada-Alberta Livestock Feed Assistance Initiative to help cover feed and water access costs for breeding female livestock across the province.
The program will be administered through Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC).
An AFSC Connect account is required to receive payments. Directions on how to sign up for AFSC Connect, program terms and conditions are available on AFSC’s website.
Website: afsc.ca
COVID-19 UPDATE
Please be advised that the Provincial government has reimplemented temporary measures for COVID-19 effective Sept. 4th at 8a.m. Prior to entering the county building you will be required to wear a mask.
Should you wish to know further details about the new temporary measures you can find information here:
https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=79784BF57DCAC-A05E-D976-EECFC5245D673C6D#jumplinks-1
If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at 780-694-3793
Respectfully,
Larry Davidson
Chief Administration Officer
Media Release –For Immediate Release Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Birch Hills County Declares Agricultural Disaster
Many municipalities in the province including several in the Peace Region have declared a state of Agricultural Disaster. During the July 27, 2021 regular Council meeting, Council directed administration to provide more information on the conditions and to request input from area producers in order to make a more informed decision.
After considering the information, Council declared a state of Agricultural Disaster in Birch Hills County during the regular Council meeting on August 24, 2021.
Some of the challenges facing Birch Hills County producers during the 2021 season were; low levels of precipitation resulting in prolonged drought conditions, an intense record-breaking heatwave and a grasshopper infestation which all greatly reduced crop and hay yields.
Hay and pasture yields averaged at ¾ of a bale per acre with no regrowth for a second cut. Livestock herds have and will continue to be sold off as feed shortages and increased costs of hay continue to be a concern. Crops have been affected with premature ripening combined with poor yield and quality.
“Birch Hills County Council is very aware of the hardships that our agricultural community is facing as a result of the weather conditions” said Reeve Gerald Manzulenko. “By declaring an Agricultural Disaster, Council wants to bring attention to the devastating conditions impacting crop and livestock producers and request more support for local producers.”
Municipal declarations do not automatically trigger access to increased funding programs, provincially or federally. Declaring an Agricultural Disaster as a Municipality brings awareness to an issue in a specific area of the province; informing residents, industry provincial and federal governments and helps to enable collaboration with impacted producer groups.
Manzulenko noted the importance of getting this message out a local level as well as at the provincial and federal levels. “The farming industry is very important to Birch Hills County and the effects of this Agricultural Disaster are felt across our whole County. This declaration attests to Council’s support for all of Birch Hills County agricultural producers.”
Bridge Closure
The local bridge on Range road 20 north of Twp 784 has been closed at this time as repairs are needed to the structure to ensure vehicle safety.
Wanham Lagoon
Wanham Lagoon to reopen, with new access conditions, on April 1st, 2021
Please contact the County Office for further details.
Community Newsletter
Read the newsletters for Eaglesham and Wanham.
Check out the Town of Spirit River's Community Connect.
Birch Hills County Board Member Needed
Birch Hills County is looking to fill one seat on the Recreation Board for Ward 4. The Recreation Board meets once per year, approximately around March/April, to discuss the grant application from local non-profits who apply for the annual allocated funds set by council. A requirement is that you live in the Ward that you will represent. Please submit a letter of interest to the County office email cao@birchhillscounty.com or call 780-694-3793 and ask for Larry Davidson, CAO for more information.
December 01, 2018
The Burnt River Crossing is closed.
COVID-19 Info for Albertans: 
We recommend that you use the Government of Alberta website (see link below) for the most up-to-date information about COVID-19. Locally, Central Peace Regional Emergency Management has launched a website and a Facebook page containing the latest information on COVID-19.
Central Peace Regional Emergency Management:
Other trusted Sources of Information include:
If you know someone without a computer, have them dial 811.
Business Resilience Service
This service will help entrepreneurs and small business owners in need of financial planning advice, particularly those who may not have access to an accountant. The service will also be open to not-for-profit organizations and charities. The hotline is a national, bilingual service operated by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (EST). The toll-free number is 1-866-989-1080.
