If you've decided to call Mountain View County home, or are giving it some serious thought, then there are a few things you need to know:
This is prime agricultural land:
- Spring seeding, fall harvest, and calving during various times during the year will draw farmers and ranchers out at all hours of the night. Dairy farmers will milk 24/7; and don't be surprised to see lights in the fields as hay is swathed and baled at night. Noise from equipment and livestock is also associated with field work - both day and night.
- During seeding and harvesting, you will likely see a variety of heavy farm equipment on Country roads- please be considerate of these slow moving vehicles- pass only when it is safe and you have an unobstructed view.
- Some farming activities will create dust, especially during dry or windy days. Gravel roads also create dust- Mountain View County's Operational Services Department has an active dust control program for rural roads.
- It can be smelly - You may experience odors from manure, varieties of crop, and some crop activities on windy days.
- Be careful around farm animals - They may look cute, or downright docile, but cattle (especially bulls), stallions, rams and boars can attack humans if they feel threatened.
- Respect all fencing - fences and pens are designed to keep animals in, and everything else out. If you own pets or livestock, it is your responsibility to fence your animals in - it is not the responsibility of your neighbours to fence them out.
Country life can be hazardous:
- Road bans and bridge restrictions occur throughout the year. Check here for the most recent information.
- During a major snowfall event, Operational Services crews will focus on keeping the major collector routes open during a storm event; moving on to minor collectors/ school bus routes; industrial roads; and all other County roads and subdivisions (in that order of priority).
- The County does not plow private lanes however there are a number of local operators who can be contracted by residents. Under extreme conditions, County roads may only be passable with large vehicles or four-wheel drives - please exercise caution
- Be alert for wildlife on the roads - deer, moose, coyotes, and the occasional cougar- especially at dawn, dusk and night.
- Most rural children are bussed to schools in our neighbouring urban communities. Please keep your eyes open for little ones standing by farm gates waiting for buses. Please note you must stop in either direction when school bus lights are flashing.
- Your property will have both a legal land location and a rural address. Please post your rural address in a highly visible place on the access road to your property and by your phone. 911 operators need your rural address to ensure service providers can reach you quickly.
- Plan proactively for fire prevention. Be observant of fire bans, obtain a Fire Permit from Mountain View County or from Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, and attend all fires at all times. Brush and grass fires can become serious hazards during dry and windy conditions, ensure your home and property insurance has adequate fire protection.
- Please note that winter and spring run-offs can cause small creeks on your property, and tributaries throughout the County become major rivers- quickly! Ensure you have provisions in place to protect your home against flooding.