Citizens in southern Alberta continue to raise questions about the impacts of oil and gas development on Alberta's southeastern slopes. The Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) is currently in the midst of deciding on whether to allow two Petro-Canada pipelines to be built through a relatively pristine area of the southeastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. This pipeline would not only traverse undeveloped land but it would also create a complementary network of access roads.

Petro-Canada has applied to drill 11 sour gas wells and build 56 kilometres of pipeline in the southeastern slopes. The pipeline would cross numerous waterways in the Willow Creek and Pekisko Creek watersheds, in the upper areas of the larger Bow and Oldman River watersheds in Kananaskis Country. In addition, new roads for this development would potentially allow off-highway-vehicle recreationists access to a currently inaccessible area. The ERCB began holding a hearing November 12, 2008 in High River to decide on whether or not to approve Petro-Canada's proposal.

In related news, the Pekisko Landowners Group called for a halt to new development in the southeastern slopes until a regional land-use plan is formulated under the Land-use Framework released December 3, 2008.