Environmental Sustainability

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the future

In designing the new Village at Wolf Creek, the development team has taken measures to minimize the environmental impacts of the project. That effort starts with our Land Exchange proposal that moves the majority of the development away from valuable fen wetlands located in the meadows of Alberta Park and the skiable terrain accessed by the Ski Area's Alberta Lift.

In an effort to further protect those valuable wetlands and the surrounding streams, we are taking measures to minimize runoff and control surface water discharge from the development. Roads are being designed to follow natural contours wherever possible. Snow storage is to be stockpiled in vegetated swales along the sides of the roads. These swales, in combination with small check dams and detention basins will mitigate the impact of snow melt discharge into the surrounding stream channels and wetlands. Pervious paving systems are planned for many pedestrian circulation areas to reduce surface runoff.

We are also working to minimize water use by utilizing high efficiency, low flow water fixtures in our plans. We are limiting our irrigation acreage and using natural landscape and xeriscape techniques. Our wastewater treatment system will be designed to produce the cleanest discharge available with today's technology. We are also considering a unique solid waste disposal system that would centralize trash collection and would minimize traffic from trash collection trucks within the community. Negotiations are ongoing to obtain electricity from a local electric cooperative and natural gas from a local gas supplier for the Village. We are exploring alternative energy sources such as ground loop geothermal for potential inclusion in this development.

Energy conservation strategies will be stressed in all building designs and operation. High R-value insulation and high performance window glazing will be part of all building systems. Passive solar heating and natural ventilation strategies will be utilized to minimize the size of mechanical systems and thereby reduce fuel consumption. Many other resource conserving strategies are actively being investigated and will be employed as they are developed.

The Village is designed to be a pedestrian oriented experience with walking trails and lifts providing the primary means of moving about the Village. Employee transportation from neighboring communities is being planned to further minimize traffic to the Village. Within the Village, several ski trails and bike paths are planned to minimize the need for private motor vehicles and those trail systems are designed to minimize potential conflict with motorized vehicles.

Additional design strategies and resource conservation measures will continue throughout the planning process. As opportunities are identified, we will incorporate them into our strategic planning and design as appropriate.



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