Subdividing the Open Range: Are Private Property Rights destroying what we love?

Editor's note: Guest Blogger Debby Gregorash raises some tough questions about our home on the range. What's your point of view? All comments welcome.

By Debby Gregorash

If we own private property, does this give us the right to do with it what we want?

Should we treat the land like a commodity, or should we look at private property rights from a larger, regional or worldwide point of view?  

In 1887, a quote was attributed to Chief Sealth (the proper spelling for Seattle), which says: "The Great Chief in Washington sends word that he wishes to buy our land.  How can you buy or sell the sky, the warmth of the land?  The idea is strange to us.  If we do not own the freshness of the air and the sparkle of the water, how can you buy them?...The earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the earth."

A hundred and twenty-seven years later, some members of society wonder if in some cases, the Chief might be right.  They are torn between their love for the land and their economic needs.  Today, large tracts of land along the east slopes of the Rocky Mountains are being sub-divided and rezoned for recreational and rural estate properties.  I own some of this sub-divided land, but I also know that the ranch, which it was once a part of, should never have been sub-divided.

As the land is fragmented, wildlife habitats, watersheds and the sweeping landscapes that tourists love so much are becoming dotted with large country homes.  It is only the rich that can afford this land that once grew food and now grows buildings.  Most ranchers cannot afford the price now.  Sometimes they have to choose between selling and being able to retire in comfort, or staying on the land because of their commitment to the land and the ranching way of life.

From a wildlife point of view, subdivision and development of recreational businesses can be devastating.  The wildlife has no say in what happens to the land that keeps them alive.  Grizzly bear, cougars, wolves, deer and elk need large areas in which to roam and cross open range to move from area to area all through the year.  Human development fragments their territories and narrows passageways and there is more potential for conflicts between humans and wildlife.  The more roads that are built, the more road-kill there will be, and the more access to elk, deer, bear, cougar, and wolves there will be for hunters.

Besides the incremental development, humans bring in dogs, quads, lights and noise.  Humans divide up their world into fenced lines and borders.  Wildlife chooses the ecosystem that best supports them – that's how nature does it.

A state biologist in Wyoming said that subdividing the west was the biggest threat to wildlife that he saw in his work.  Since 1978, Colorado ranchland and farmland has declined by 90,000 acres per year, most of it converted to subdivision and commercial development.

In Europe, multifunctional farming is supported by the governments that are aware that the tourists come to their countries to drive through the countryside, admire the view, take copious photographs and stop in the quaint villages and perhaps stay at a local bed and breakfast.  Farmers are actually paid to maintain hedgerows, fences, woodlots and roadsides.  

In contrast, western North America seems unaware that European tourists come here for the same reasons and especially that breathtaking view of the open spaces and vast rangeland near the Rocky Mountains.  Why locals are not all enthralled with the view may boil down to the fact that the wonder of nature is taken for granted, or wildlife is viewed as a nuisance.  For example, in 2001, there was a proposal by a developer to change the zoning of an agricultural area in Cardston County to grouped country residential.  It was next door to Waterton Lakes National Park, a World Heritage site and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

The County councillors believe in private property rights and that a landowner should be allowed to do what they want with their land, despite the threat to the local wildlife ecosystems.  One councillor, frustrated with the large backlash from a concerned public said, "Sometimes I wish wildlife would just go away."  Despite 300 letters from around southern Alberta, North America, and the world, the Cardston County passed the rezoning and the subsequent housing development.

Those of us who cherish the wilderness, the open rangeland habitat, and the flora and fauna it contains are fighting a mindset.  Society views progress as more and bigger buildings and commerce everywhere.  

Meanwhile what is happening to the ranching community?  The divisiveness of more development on large tracts of rangeland is huge and I feel the County council of Cardston, have abdicated their responsibility to the local ranching industry and a 100-year old legacy of community-building.  Ranchers take care of the land so that it supports grazing animals, both wild and domestic.  A rancher's community includes the wildlife. 

For developers, there is the pursuit of short-term profit whereas others pursue harmony between maintaining a way of life and making a sustainable living.

We need to educate the public on this issue and discuss to what degree the public good is part of the private property equation.  Through the Nature Conservancy of Canada, the Southern Alberta Land Trust Society and other measures, perhaps we can find a way to protect the scenery, the wildlife habitat, and limit the invasion of human development.

At the moment, Cardston County is deciding whether to allow rezoning from agriculture to rural recreational, right next to the Police Outpost Provincial Park wetland.  

Supporters of wildlife and the ranching community have lost their fight in court to push for an environmental impact assessment.   If the rezoning goes ahead, a large recreational development will go ahead causing no end to headaches for adjacent landowners, residents, and those who use the same road.  The Trumpeter swans, Sandhill cranes, and myriad other wetland wildlife will suffer.

We have to ask whether we need the Regional Planning Commissions back again, which look at the big picture.  Municipal Development Plans and Land-Use Bylaws should be constantly updated and scrutinized by the public.  Can we count on county authorities to have the knowledge, wisdom, vision and understanding in order to create sustainable, long-term plans and to follow these municipal plans and their own bylaws without succumbing to pressure tactics or short-term gain?

These are some of the issues that must be addressed if we are to save the last of the western open rangeland spaces.  It is not only a sociological question, but also an environmental, spiritual, philosophical and political question.

Editors note - please submit your thoughts! Conversations about tough issues are important and all voices must be heard.

It's different at the 'Toilet Bowl'

Richard Burke

Did some venting this week. It’s been building for years. Venting in itself isn’t particularly productive, but can sometimes invite others to pause and think. Or, they could just further retrench into their intractable ways.
The cause for my steam-letting was an e-mail from a fellow seeking vehicle access for older, less-mobile anglers to a spot on the Crowsnest River closed to vehicle access for about seven years. A gate has kept cars and trucks and, usually, ATVs, out so the river bank and adjacent land, long abused by mining and human indifference, could be rehabilitated and conserved.

The conservation effort has been ongoing on two Crowsnest River stretches covering about 4 kilometres of river frontage at two locations, near Burmis Lake and downstream of the (west) Hillcrest Bridge. Oldman River Chapter, Trout Unlimited Canada signed leases with the provincial government in 2002 and 2007, basically agreeing to be stewards of the Crown land for 25 years.

The water has been great trout habitat. Some surmised the trout in the Hillcrest section benefited (got bigger) from treated sewage released above the “Toilet Bowl”, a swirling pool on the river just downstream of the Hillcrest sewage treatment ponds.
But, in both cases, the adjacent land had seen better days – before people started using it for dumping mine tailings or, in the case of Burmis, allowing cattle to graze and not controlling access to the river bank, which over time can cause erosion to habitat beneficial to fish and other aquatic creatures and even the quality of water available to humans.

Work to control invasive weeds such as blue weed, tansy daisy and toadflax has produced obvious results. Removal of barbed-wire fencing that over the years had gone into various states of disrepair allowed for vegetation to recover and made it safer for pedestrian traffic. The key was pedestrian – anglers and others who could now enjoy the space, perhaps in a more natural setting.
The connection between vehicles and habitat destruction was more obvious in the Hillcrest section. You could see from Highway 3 at the turn near the Bellevue Mine the flat area beside the river turned into a mud bog because people just had to drive through it for fishing or other endeavours. I did the same, although not when it was muddy.
I recall on one occasion driving as far as the trail would allow, only to find a trailer parked in the trees, there for the summer, obviously, because the owner had planted a garden. Random camping in the extreme.

I don’t feel particularly good, in hindsight, about driving through that flat. It’s just something everyone did, even CP Rail workers doing track maintenance. But, when we considered what needed to be done to salvage the area, the only solution was to close it to traffic. Shell Canada agreed to install a gate at the lease entrance. TU also needed to plant large rocks in the area beside the gate to keep traffic from simply driving around it.
The provincial government had spent $2 million years ago trying to rehabilitate the area, that was at one time a huge coal slag pile. The remnants of the coal operation that likely produced the pile can still be seen at the south end of the lease and from Highway 3, a tipple across from the Crowsnest Angler fly shop. A gate was installed then to allow the land to recover without traffic disturbing it, but that didn’t last long, the lock cut by people who, apparently, had little regard for the land itself, only that they just had to use it for whatever purpose. The wild west, you know: anything goes.

Part of the TU rehabilitation effort also involved planting grass seed, approved by Alberta Agriculture, on the old, offending road. Some took, some didn’t. Part of the road, after all, was coal slag. But, it is gradually reviving.
That was about seven years ago. Why, all of a sudden, is some old guy from the Pass wanting to again drive to the toilet bowl about 250 yards downstream of the gate? One assumes it’s because he had always been able to do it and he feels he has some right to continue, despite the costs (about $40,000 and counting) and other considerable volunteer efforts to somehow save this piece of public land. And, as one of our members wonders, if he can’t walk down the path, how would he ever negotiate the tricky river bank?

My rant was in response to a guy who apparently wanted to do his thing, regardless of other consequences. The over-the-top part was that I’ve seen this attitude too often, as I’ve worked with groups which have a conservation component, and got impatient with the view that the environment be damned. “They’re just a bunch of greenies trying to tell us what to do” is the refrain, as though any cause that uses the word environment or conservation is a threat to a particular lifestyle.
In this case, the argument was even that we (TU) are outsiders coming into the Pass. Apparently  doesn’t matter we are all Albertans. Only if you live in the Pass do you have a say over what happens there appears to be the logic. The e-mail writer clearly doesn’t know the TU members who lead the effort on the two leases are Pass residents.

At the root of the discussion (or argument) is that things are different now than when we could go where we wanted and be “free” to pursue our whims. In my view, humans including myself, have not always been particularly responsible in their handling of things in nature that were there when we inherited them. Some of what was here when our generations came along had already been seriously abused.
Doing something to right a wrong involves stewardship, that would suggest we leave what was OK at least as we found it and better, if possible. Burmis and Hillcrest TU leases were a couple of pieces of Alberta that needed to be left better.

So, for those who have a hard time giving up what they feel is their domain, trying looking beyond your noses. You are now sharing it with way more people than you used to, among lots of other reasons to tread more lightly. You, or your contemporaries, didn’t necessarily do good by your decisions on how to use the land, resources, natural features and creatures that were there long before we were.
Adjust. Don’t expect the world to adjust for you.

Introducing Kelsey Kayak - "A Young Voice for the Oldman"

Hello!

My name is Kelsey Kayak and I am 15 years old. I'm the newest guest blogger at the Oldman Watershed Council. 

I would like to share my experience with our watershed and become a young voice for the Oldman. 

I live in Lethbridge, Alberta, with my parents and am going into Grade 10. I care about our watershed because I spend most of my time outside; I hike, bike, and, of course, kayak. It's important to me that we help keep our environment clean. 

 

That's me in the middle - Kelsey Kayak! Mom and Dad are to the left and right and we are out on Okanagan Lake.

I've been nominated to the Green List twice. Once for cleaning up garbage while I kayak, and once for picking invasive weeds. The Green List is a City of Lethbridge initiative that recognizes individuals and businesses who are taking positive action on behalf of the environment.
http://www.lethbridge.ca/living-here/Waste-Recycling/Pages/Green-List.aspx

This year, I went into the "2014 Caring For Our Watershed Competition" and won second place. My idea was a Storm Drain Survival Kit which includes everything you need to help clean out your storm drains and gutters.

Please visit my Storm Drain Survival Kit at:

 http://www.lethbridge.ca/living-here/water-wastewater/Pages/Stormdrain-Survival-Kit.aspx

 

How Do I Get a Storm Drain Survival Kit?

Kits are FREE and available at many events throughout the year. Some of those events include; Yellow Fish Road Program, Prairie Urban Garden Tour, Environment Week Events, Lethbridge Home and Garden, Green List Celebration and many more!

Contact H2Oinquiries@lethbridge.ca to pick up a kit at one of the following locations:

City Hall 4th Floor, Stafford Centre, Helen Schuler Nature Centre & OWC Agriculture Research Centre.

I look forward to telling you more about the watershed as "The Young Voice of the Oldman" in future blogspots.

All for now, 

Kelsey Kayak

The Oldman goes to Hollywood!

(well …almost …)

Good news from the Oldman Watershed Council (OWC) - funding is in place to extend the Communications Coordinator’s contract until spring 2015! Anna Garleff was hired in February, 2014, to put in place several enduring key communications tools and to train the team in their use.

The signature piece of this suite is a film. It will not be a typical educational film. Rather, it will create a space for people to have an experience and draw their own conclusions through presentation of the facts. This is important in a watershed with perhaps the most extreme stakeholder diversity: the goal of the film is to communicate clearly where water comes from, where it ultimately goes and what happens in between.

The core message is: "We are all downstream". 

About 10 - 15 minutes in length, this film will be presented at: exhibitions and trade shows; schools; Watershed Planning & Advisory Council summits; municipal, county and provincial government meetings; in conservation and environmental arenas; and more. It will be made available on the web site free-of-charge and will be an important tool to attract further donors and sponsors.

This film will be shown to audiences up and down the watershed - and beyond - with the intent to educate, inspire and contribute to a stronger sense of community. It will portray southern Alberta's diversity and entrepreneurship via watershed use. Following the growth of the region from the mid-1700s through to 2025, it will use historical photos, interactive maps from the ALCES project (A Landscape Cumulative Effects Simulator - headed by Dr. Brad Stelfox), and spectacular footage of the people, places and landscapes. 

The film is the centre piece to a larger vision. Complementary to the film, spin-off videos will be created around 10 themes, such as:  Irrigation, Recreational Vehicle Use, Water Quality, Invasive Species, etc. – as well as the story of OWC itself.

In addition to our own Board, we have consulted with: Dr. Kerry McArthur (a film scholar) about the conceptual ideas; Dr. Mark Wolfe (a Communications Professor) about the integrity of the ideas; Belinda Crowson (a local provincial historian and author) about the accuracy of the timeline; William Singer, Lori Brave Rock, and Elders of the Kainai (Blood Tribe) regarding the creation story and the naming of the river; Debby Gregorash – one of the founders of the pre-OWC entities; Pete Lovering (SouthGrow); Roger Hohm (Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development / Irrigation Secretariat); David Hill (University of Lethbridge); George Gallant (a film maker; Lethbridge College); Clint Dunford (former provincial Cabinet Minister); and, Morton Molyneux (a long-time film maker) about the viability of the script. Thumbs up from everyone!!!

After all, it is their story, too. It is up to us to show the way forward for future generations of people who depend on the Oldman River watershed for work, play and existence. 

Over the years, the OWC has had incredible support from its many volunteers and donors. The OWC mandate has much in common with the environmental stewardship goals of industry, tourism, farming, ranching and recreation … to name a few. So many people and organizations are working hard to promote progressive water management practices with the inherent awareness that "Water is vital to life, the environment and the social and economic well-being of communities" (Ref: Alberta Irrigation Project Association). This presumes a common understanding of the challenges and opportunities. We believe this film project will increase the common understanding exponentially.

The Oldman Watershed Council is inviting key decision-makers / thinkers / community builders and supporters to be a part of this exciting project!

OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE ¹

We are  seeking five (5) 'founding partners' to provide  initial seed money through a donation of $1,000 each.      

We are also requesting donations from individuals in any amount from $10 and above – as well as strong organizational support.

The OWC thanks you sincerely for your consideration to support this exciting project!!

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE FILM OR HOW TO BECOME A SPONSOR,       PLEASE CONTACT:

Anna Garleff, PhD in proficio

Communications Coordinator, Oldman Watershed Council

anna@oldmanbasin.org OR 587 224 3793 (cell) OR 403 3824239 (OWC office)

HERE'S HOW YOU CAN BECOME A SPONSOR OF THE OWC FILM PROJECT:

OPTION A:  BECOME ONE OF THE FIVE FOUNDING PARTNERS*

Every entrepreneurial idea needs seed money - those vital funds to both begin the project and also inspire others to become involved. The OWC is looking for five (5) Founding Partners - individuals or organizations - to provide $1,000 to kick-start this inspiring project.

Opportunities Include:
o    Your Watershed Story will be professionally written and released to all media channels, including the press and our blog
o    first mention thank you with your name and logo on the credits of the film
o    mentions throughout the film release on our social media channels (i.e., Facebook, Twitter,  Blog, OWC website)
o    credit on all media releases and articles
o     a cheque-signing ceremony as part of a media / fundraising campaign
o    free access to the film to show to your stakeholders / audiences
o    a tax-free charitable receipt

 *The OWC is thrilled to announce that the

 City of Lethbridge - Water Department - is confirmed as the first Founding Partner. 

As of this afternoon, the second Founding Partner is Heleen Jacobsen of realestatecentre.ca

OPTION B: BECOME A COLLABORATIVE PARTNER

Let's face it. Some of our most important work here in southern Alberta is reliant on water to thrive, survive and create the conditions for prosperity for the region. Highly complex, these organizations have a hard time communicating to the public what they do, how they use and care for water and why their work will become of increasing importance as time goes by. The OWC is inviting sponsors of $5,000 and above to collaborate directly in an enduring relationship with the OWC.  

Opportunities Include:

o    Three 5-minute (approx) videos about you, your business and why watershed health is essential to it.

 (These will be scripted, filmed and edited professionally and will:  populate our You Tube Channel, be featured on our website and form an essential part of watershed education for the OWC. As applicable, one video will be aimed at schools, the second for the general public, and the third for other professionals and scientists in the field.)

o    an invitation to speak and be filmed at our upcoming OWC Watershed Summit 2015

o    a name and logo mention on the credits of the film

o    mentions throughout the film release on our social media channels (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, Blog, OWC website)

o    credit on all media releases and articles, including a new suite of printed OWC material

o    a cheque-signing ceremony as part of a media / fundraising campaign

o    free access to the film to show to your stakeholders / audience s

o    a tax-free charitable receipt

OPTION C:  Both A and B

Yes, it is possible to become a Collaborative partner 

AND 

get your Watershed Story written with first credits on the film -

 - Be one of the first 5 Founding Partner sponsors!

OPTION D: BECOME A FRIEND OF THE OLDMAN WATERSHED COUNCIL

We are all part of the watershed; we use water to bathe, recreate, prepare our food, keep our lawns green and for our kids to run through when the summer days are hot. Water IS life and it's essential that the headwaters remain in a healthy condition so that there is plentiful, clean water for generations to come. We are ALL downstream. The Oldman Watershed Council is inspired by the outpouring of support for a smarter, more caring world where people interact with the environment like it's the only one we've got. The OWC welcomes all gifts of any amount - or community-sourced fundraising - to help make this film the best that it can be.

Opportunities include:

o    an invitation to a "how to film the watershed" seminar (to be offered in Taber, Lethbridge, Pincher Creek) after the film release

o    an invitation to participate in the OWC Watershed Summit 2015

o    mentions throughout the film release on our social media channels (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, Blog, OWC website)

o    free access to the film to show to your stakeholders / audiences

o    a tax-free charitable receipt

o    Donations from anyone under 18 will be honoured with a photo opportunity with the OWC and a special blog posting

JOIN US on the Crowsnest River September long weekend

(Editor's note: This post was submitted by guest blogger Jay White, a biologist, environmental consultant and an OWC fan. He wants to know if our calendars are free for the back country September long weekend!) 

One of my favourite fishing rivers in Alberta is the Crowsnest River. None of its length is safe from me and I’ve enjoyed the headwaters, the wild sections along the Frank Slide, up and downstream of the falls and where it empties into the Oldman Dam.

Last weekend I was fishing the bottom end between Highway #3 and 510 and I noticed a long stretch that is slumping with very large chunks of bank falling into the river. Bank stability is low, and there is all sort of water quality problems that this will cause downstream will all that sediment being transported into the water. 

The area previously had unrestricted cattle access, but in the past few years I noticed it has been fenced. However, the riparian vegetation along the south shores has been completed removed. Now, large slabs of field are being held together by nothing. Some of the fenceposts are now also falling down due to the erosion.  Traversing along the south shore is almost impossible now, and the banks are being undercut during higher flows.  Previous fish mitigation structures have disappeared, as the stream channel has shifted.

 I’m kicking myself for not packing my camera that afternoon. 

Photo credit: Vic Bergman/ Crowsnest Angler

http://www.crownofthecontinent.net/content/crowsnest-river-flyfishing/cot282921A040909BAD5

Until the riparian areas are repaired along this stretch of river, degradation will continue, and water quality and fish habitat will be degraded. 

This is a call to arms—OWC, TUC, AESRD, Cows & Fish and Aquality can provide the leadership on what needs to be done and we can leverage volunteer hours to roll up their sleeves and get this fixed. 

By the way, in one small  stretch upstream of this spot, I caught a cutthroat trout, several rainbow trout, a bull trout and a whitefish in a couple of hours. This is a special river that requires our special attention.

 I propose we organize a volunteer riparian planting session for the September long weekend (yes, the labour day weekend!) for 2 or 3 days.

(Editor's P.S. > CALL JAY at the numbers below if you can make it!!!

 If we have a critical mass of people, we can pull this off  and coordinate details.)

Jay S. White, M.Sc., P.Biol., QWAES, QAES

Principal

Suite #204, 7205 Roper Road Edmonton, Alberta    T6B 3J4 www.aquality.ca

Office: 780-757-5530 Fax: 1-866-654-2826 Cell: 780-974-7524

OWC 2014 Summer E-Newsletter

To view Summer 2014's E-Newsletter, click here

Environmental Assessment for Elbow Dry Dam?

(Editor's note: The Government of Alberta is currently considering dry dams on the Little Bow River and Elbow River to reduce flooding in the Town of High River and Calgary.  

The OWC would like to thank Adam Driedzic from the Environmental Law Centre for coming to speak at our recent AGM. His blog entry touches on the main points of his talk, which sparked a lot of discussion! )

Does a flood mitigation “dry dam” require an environmental assessment?

This question was raised at the OWC Annual General Meeting on June 25, 2014. The dry dams proposed for the Elbow River and Little Bow River are no small deal. It could be the same type of towering concrete wall that contains permanent reservoirs except that it would usually sit empty.  If it is allowed to remain full for long enough to reduce flooding downstream then it might kill the underlying vegetation. The photo of a mountain valley turned into a dustbowl by a similar project elsewhere was one of the more striking images at the AGM (see the image below). 

Thomson Dry Dam

To figure out whether an environmental assessment is required you need to know the height of the dam and how much water it would hold.  A provincial environmental assessment is required for a dam greater than 15 metres in height when measured to the top of the dam “from the natural bed of the watercourse at the downstream toe of the dam.”  If the dam isn’t across a watercourse then the measurement is from “the lowest elevation at the outside of the dam.”  A provincial assessment is also required for a water reservoir with a capacity over 30 million cubic metres no matter how high the dam is.

The Little Bow River dry dam would allow for a diversion on the Highwood River so as to avoid the town of High River. In this case a provincial environmental assessment is required for a “water diversion structure and canals with a capacity greater than 15 cubic metres per second.” Even if the project doesn’t meet these technical requirements the Minister of Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development could still order an EIA but there would be no way to force one.

If there is a provincial assessment, it will trigger an NRCB review of a “water management project.”  No person can start such a project without an NRCB review and it shouldn’t matter that the government is the project proponent as the NRCB Act is binding on the Crown.  A “water management project” is defined by the NRCB Act as a project for which an environmental impact assessment is requirement so getting the environmental assessment is the key to getting a NRCB Review. As part of the review the NRCB can make investigations or inquiries, prepare studies or reports, or hold hearings.  This review could get underway with low key studies or reports. The NRCB only has to hold a public hearing if someone is directly affected.  If a hearing is triggered then further persons can apply to participate. Regardless of the review format the NRCB must provide 30 day notice of any necessary proceedings. This notice would likely be in local newspapers, prominent community locations or provided to persons in the area who may be directly affected.

The chance of a federal environmental assessment is lower since the 2012 reforms. For a dam, a federal assessment is required for:  “the construction, operation, decommissioning and abandonment of a new dam or dyke that would result in the creation of a reservoir with a surface area that would exceed the annual mean surface area of a natural water body by 1 500 ha or more.”  For a diversion project, a federal assessment is required for: “The construction, operation, decommissioning and abandonment of a new structure for the diversion of 10 000 000 m3/year or more of water from a natural water body into another natural water body.”  Federal assessments are now only required for listed projects.  They will no longer be triggered based on the need for fisheries act permits. Likewise the Elbow and Highwood Rivers are no longer protected under the Navigable Waters Protection Act as the reforms reduced protection to listed water bodies. If a Federal assessment is required then the federal government can substitute an equivalent provincial assessment to meet its own requirement.  There is no more need for joint panel reviews as there was before 2012.

You can strengthen environmental decision-making in Alberta. Please give generously.

Adam Driedzic

Environmental Law Centre

    

1-800-661-4238

lorr@elc.ab.ca

www.elc.ab.ca

Editor's Note: Learn more about dry dams here: http://albertawater.com/flood-mitigation/dry-dams. 

SSRP: Devil or Divine?

The long-awaited South Saskatchewan Regional Plan was released today and comes into effect September 1st. Many people are asking: What is OWC’s position on it?

Well, since we do not take "positions" (or "sides"), the answer may not be black and white enough for you, but here are some of my initial thoughts:

There are many positive steps forward in the headwaters (Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains that provide 90% of our water downstream). Several Recreation Management Plans will be completed by 2015/16; a Linear Footprint Management Plan for Livingstone/Porcupine Hills will be completed by 2015; and, outreach officers will be hired to talk to people about decreasing their environmental footprint.

Castle Provincial Wildland Park is bigger than in the draft and will protect some valleys, but is not as large as some people wanted. It’s only about half the size as the originally proposed park from the 1990s.

It’s still unclear what the priority is and what will take precedence where – there still seems to be a “we can have it all” mentality. How will the goal to increase tourism and recreation mesh with the plans listed above? Is it possible to have a booming tourism and recreation economy, a thriving forestry sector, access for oil and gas, etc….all while still protecting our water, wildlife and health?

Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils (WPACs) are in the plan several times as an important partner – a good sign for OWC, since we are one of them! We are a partner with the Government of Alberta and intend to continue working closely with them to implement some parts of the SSRP.

 Paper plans do not keep water clean.

A biodiversity management framework will be in place by the end of 2015, and this will be a really good thing, because it should set real goals and limits. This is the only way to manage many different uses on one area of land.

The wording around reducing fragmentation of agricultural land is weak.  Wording like “promote” and “encourage” developers, municipalities, industry, etc. to use good practices or follow certain guidelines asks for voluntary compliance but may not lead to any real change.

The Pekisko Heritage Rangeland protects a large area of native grassland, a good thing considering only 24% remains in the province. An additional chunk of Green Area has also been added as a Special Management Area right next to it, which would be a good thing to manage intense use.

Overall, we know the devil will be in the details of implementation and regulation. This plan is still very high level, as you would expect from a regional plan at this scale. It’s not going to solve all our environmental challenges but it is a few steps in the right direction.

The critical piece is to implement it carefully, based on science and community input.

I choose to remain positive about it and help put the positive pieces from it on the ground. OWC will be working closely with the Government of Alberta to make a real difference for our watershed and we invite you to get involved. Please make a donation today!

http://oldmanbasin.org/index.php/getinvolved/make-a-donation/. Thank you for demonstrating your commitment to a healthy watershed!

Shannon
OWC Executive Director

(Editor's note: This post was submitted by someone who wished to remain anonymous. I have edited for style and added some supplementary information at the end)

I wonder if my experience of yesterday would be of interest to Oldman Council readers. Perhaps it will help reduce incidents like it, who knows. I live in the city and grew up in an even bigger city. I don't know the names of birds, but the one I hit yesterday was big and I knew it must have been a bird of prey. This was on a 2-lane, secondary highway not far from the city. I saw him swoop down onto my lane and slowed down. Usually, birds fly away as you approach. My aunt rolled her car once swerving for a duck, though. At the last minute, he (?) swooped up, but not at the speed I anticipated. It made a huge noise. 

Trying to pull over without getting rear-ended, I was him wobble off to a fence post. Emergency lights blinking, I crawled along beside him as he struggled through the grass and then made it up to a fence post again. I kept following until he alighted on a telephone pole next to a farmer's yard. I got out and rang the doorbell. I don't know why I thought they could help, but I felt that good people would want to know there was an injured bird on their property. The mother of several sent out her eldest son - a sweet, shy, shining, red head of about 15. The bird was still in the same place. 

What my hawk looked like: A Swainson's Hawk

"It's a hawk!" he said. "And probably a young one without enough sense yet to deal with the highway."

 I felt worse, and so I should have. "Well, if he's up there, then he'll probably be all right. If they lose too much blood, they can't fly." I silently sent up prayerful thanks. "Look!" The boy continued. "He's flying to the next pole - and there's one of those nasty blackbirds out to chase him away!" I was amazed at the boy's knowledge. I asked him: "That little bird ... is going to 

chase away a hawk?!" "Oh yes" he said. They're mean little things." I only know that if I walk along one of the local canals that I can hear their beautiful song. It's probably one of the few birds (other than a crow or magpie) that I can actually identify.

The boy pointed at my car. "Where did you hit him?" I stared at him blankly. I thought;  Like, on the car!! You know ... front, boom! "Well, I don't know", I said, approaching my bumper. "Probably right about .....!!!!" There was blood and guts all over the bumper. I'm freaking out left, right and centre and I'm sure the boy was thinking: "So THAT'S what city slickers are like!". "How can he LIIIIVE?!!!" I screech. "Oh, he'll probably be okay", the boy reassured me. "I'll call the local Birds of Prey". I marvel at how different our worlds are, this boy's and mine ... what he all knows at 15 that I can barely understand. I drive through the countryside, but do not see what's in it.

This photo depicts a magpie harassing an owl, but my wounded hawk flew up to the top of the pole just like this.

I feel like *#%# about it - and I hope the hawk is alive to feel the same. Better a smashing headache than dead. He literally got some sense knocked into him. But what about me?

 We have too many cars, roads and drive too fast. I was going 20km under the speed limit and 40km slower than my usual. 

Roads, rails, pipelines, telephone wires, seismic lines ... are called "linear disturbances", and are one of the main threats to wildlife. Clearly. Many are unnecessary and some could be reclaimed if we actually made it a priority. The OWC is working on classifying linear features for just this purpose - reclamation. 

Yet the plan for Alberta's countryside over the next 50 years is to populate yet more of our wild spaces, partcularly in the SW of the province.  This means more people  drawing wells, building roads into their properties, most tying into the grid, all driving at least 2 or more vehicles. Most people will be fleeing the cities and many will be novices regarding land stewardship.

Please see:   OWC Headwaters Indicator Project   for the science on linear features

Please also see: Simulation of Alberta to 2050 

And thanks to: Birds of Prey Centre for all they do.

• 
  

Pawsibilities in the Watershed

​Donna McLaughlin is the owner and founder of Pawsibilities Professional Animal Training, a business that trains people, dogs, horses, chickens and more. Donna's interest in animals and the natural world began as a young child visiting her grandparents farm in southern Saskatchewan. Her grandfather, Hugh McLaughlin, was a self-taught naturalist and was passionate about learning and teaching natural science. He was particularly interested in wetlands and all the plants and critters in and around those areas.

Donna has fond memories of accompanying him on trips to observe birds and collect various kinds of insects and fish. He taught about the important functions these areas played in the environment of the prairies. Although Hugh made his living from farming, he never placed profits ahead of his concern for the environment and was sometimes frustrated by farmers who altered a creek's flow for the benefit of their crops. The time spend on the farm learning about the science of the natural world and the respect it deserves has shaped the direction that Donna has gone today.

Donna is passionate about learning and behaviour and enjoys teaching it as much as furthering her own knowledge. She trains animals using positive reinforcement and behavioural science. She believes that animals are highly intelligent and complex - and that punishment and force are unnecessary and should be avoided in training. With these methods people can be like Dr. Dolittle and talk to the animals, and, in turn, it engages the animal to communicate back.

​She has trained humans and animals (dogs, horses, chickens, cats, llamas, etc) for over twenty five years for TV and film, obedience, tricks, tracking, herding, skijoring, carting and more. She has taught thousands of people the principles of behavioural science and given seminars in Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Yukon. She has learned from many of the top trainers and animal behaviourists in the world. She has gone to Chicken Camp to train chickens in Sequim, WA in 2008 and Baltimore in 2013 to learn from Bob Bailey - a former colleague of B.F. Skinner and a legendary animal trainer.

She has a Bachelor of Arts from St. Mary's University and a Diploma of Business Administration from the University of Regina. In her 'day job' she has worked in management and human resource positions at the University of Regina, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge and the Alberta Distance Learning Centre.

​

​

​The goal of Pawsibilities Animal Training is to show people how intelligent their animals really are and to help people with problems that they are having with their dogs and/or to help them prevent future problems with their dogs through communication, education and training. Going further, this company exists to teach how an understanding of the same principles of reinforcement used by animal trainers can be applied in other situations such as classrooms and workplaces.

Donna has developed an engaging presentation on how the behavioural science methods that animal trainers use, can be used in the classroom and workplace. She and her dog recently gave this presentation to faculty and staff at Lethbridge College and she is looking for other opportunities to present this material. In the near future she plans to create full day chicken training workshops to give people a 'hands on' opportunity to learn about positive reinforcement and behavior.

Pawsibilities Professional Animal Training has donated a one hour private lesson for dog, horse or chicken training to the OWC as a prize for the Annual General Meeting.

One of our hard-working volunteers will be the lucky winner!

Thank you, Donna!

To contact Donna:

Phone: 403-715-6847

Email: mcladonn@uregina.ca

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pawsibilities-Professional-Animal-Training/453070551460177?fref=ts

The Oldman and the Dog, some Horses ...and a Lesson from Lori

(Editor's note: this story is part fiction and part truth. I'l leave it up to you to decide which is which. As far as Lori and Serentity Equestrian is concerned ... well, check it out for yourself! She's our newest OWC sponsor and we are so happy to welcome her to the OWC family!)

The Oldman had an intuition to call 'somebody about horses' as an idea for a prize for the upcoming AGM on June 25^th. Not knowing who to call (not Ghostbusters!), we googled it. Several names came up, but no one picked up the phone – and as my request was vague, I left no message. Lori at Serenity Equestrian was available and picked up.

Being blunt, the Oldman told her in about three sentences what was up: "I had to come up with an idea for the AGM and something said 'horses'. Would you be willing to contribute something to our annual meeting?". There was a slight pause and Lori said: "That's funny. Just recently someone was here who is affiliated with the Council. She was talking about the watershed and was really passionate about it." Another pause. "That's no coincidence. Yes, I think I can do that. Come on out and see me."

The Oldman calls it 'serendipitous' – a synonym for 'damn good fortune'.

Forgetting the Timmie's double-double he promised to bring, but remembering muck boots and a windbreaker, he turns into a farm just 1km north of Lethbridge on Highway 25.

I was greeted by a huge old, rough old, hairy old, bear of a dog. A 'nice old' grandpa, like me, I thought - until he gave this weirdo grimace that looked more human than canine – and more frightening than any old smile. My heart went into my mouth. "You've got to be the boss of the dog", says Lori sternly. What?! How did she know Old Grizz had freaked me out?! "You've got to deal with that. You can't just let people walk all over you." She looks at me sideways. "That's what I teach out here". She plunges right into it. "Confidence." I launch into an explanation of how I was attacked by dogs as a child – a pack of 13 wild ones who lunged straight at my face and were called off at the very last minute. "That doesn't matter", she says gently. "You have to deal with this now, and every day. You have to know how to get people to respect your boundaries without having to be aggressive". My heart beats in my mouth. I thought I was over all that. She explains how to communicate clearly with the dog without being afraid and without being mean. "Sit!" I command hopefully. Old Grizz sits, but eyeballs me to make sure I mean it. "Oh ya. He'll test you. You have to mean it. Then when he understands that, he'll leave you alone".

A whinny from the corral shifts our attention. We move over to the fence where 27 beautiful horses are breakfasting. Makes me remember the forgotten Timmie's. Again. And the ponies – such fantasy creatures! From tiny miniatures who pull the carts in the children's programs to large Belgians. When people come to Serenity, they form strong bonds with their horses.  Students learn how to choose their own horses by becoming aware of how the horses think and feel. Sometimes the horse will choose the person. Just like we feel good around some people and are nervous around others, horses show us who we are without words."  

She shows me how she can ask the horse to move forward or backward just with her own body language.  I find out that equine therapy has been around for a long time, but Lori first got started by fulfilling a life-long dream to have a horse after she had raised her family. "I had anxiety issues. That's how all this started. I ran a modelling agency and was on the Board of  directors for the World Modelling Association in New York." Lori spent those 22 years working to build self-confidence in people. "Now, through the horses, there's a whole extra dimension to understanding both yourself and how you communicate with others".  

Following the Parelli Method, the approach promotes physical, occupational, and emotional growth in persons suffering from a variety of traumatic brain injuries, behavioral issues, abuse issues, and many other mental health problems. But the Parelli Method goes a long way to helping anyone build confidence, self- efficiency, communication, trust, perspective, social skills, impulse control, and learn boundaries. The Parelli Method emphasizes having fun while developing emotional intelligence. Since the horses have similar behaviors with humans, such as social and responsive behaviors, it is easy for people to create a connection with the horse. There has been great success around the world with everything from corporate team building to teaching novice riders.

Lori explains that whoever wins her prize can either claim it themselves or pass it along to someone else – "…a grandchild, a spouse … whoever would enjoy the experience", she says, flashing me her generous smile. She has given us a whole week of summer camp, a couple hours each morning, with on-the-ground skills as well as a riding component with your own horse partner. "This is your farm. Whoever comes out here is part of this farm. We are about community building and this donation to the Oldman is about extending that circle." She gestures back to the fragrant hay stacks. "Last year there was so much rain, we couldn't get the hay off. Everything you see here … the garden for the herbs to grow poultices for the horses, the water for the farm, the hay … everything is because of the Oldman river. Of course we're part of the watershed!"

Lori hands me the prize package and I am inspired. What a great place for people to come and experience! I look around the beautifully kept yard and my eyes drift across it's quaint garden furniture, the little cabin  … and land on Old Grizz. I gaze at him imperiously. He rests his shaggy head between his paws and goes to sleep.

Even the Oldman learns something new every day.

If you would like a chance to win Serentity Equestrian's prize package

Hear more about the Oldman Watershed Council and how YOU can make a difference  

Please attend our AGM in Lethbridge this coming Wednesday. 

Registration is at 8:30 a.m.at the Enmax Centre. 

Everyone is welcome. 

www.serenityequestrian.com

Thank you from the Oldman to: Lori Chell, Serenity Equestrian, Lethbridge, Alberta (403) 381-1739 home email at: lori@serenityequestrian.com

Our facilities are located 1km north of the intersection on hwy 3(to Calgary) and hwy 25(to PictureButte) on the East side of the road.

Update on the flood situation - your input required

(Editor's note: Well, we had quite a day yesterday. Right on the June anniversary of last year's devastating floods, we have been hit heavily again. Many people have had to evacuate their homes - and many of those people had not even recovered from the damage from last year.
We send out our heartfelt wishes to everyone whose homes, crops and livestock was endangered or impacted by the recent flooding. 
Unfortunately, the whole topic of torrential rain and flooding makes it hard for the uninitiated to understand that we live in a semi-arid landscape - beige, treeless, dry, rattlesnakes and cacti .... not the lush verdant green of England. 
Why do we need to plant drought-resistant plants when we are hit by floods? Why should we move to xeriscaping our gardens? Why should we reduce the lawn in our yards? Why shouldn't we water to our heart's content and why can't I wash my vehicles in the driveway? Who says it's my job to clear the storm drains and what has that got to do with the quality of my drinking water? And hey - are we going to have to boil water again next time?!
The answer to these questions and more are available THIS SATURDAY on a FREE PRAIRIE URBAN GARDEN TOUR. There will be refreshments, presentations by experts and the OWC Staff on hand to help you understand more about how your activity is either a help or a hinderance to clean, plentiful drinking water for everyone for years to come. We are counting on a beautiful day.
Please visit www.prairieurbangarden.ca to register - it's free, but we do need to plan.
There's more!
If you are interested in why we are having such stressful "weather events" - if you feel that it's time for you to TAKE ACTION and be a positive influence on watershed management and health - we really need you. It takes everyone's engagement to build a better future. 
Please join us at our AGM. We would really love to see you there.)
   

Oldman Watershed Council 2014 Annual General Meeting                     Friday, June 20                     is the deadline to register                     for the OWC AGM OWC Members Be Informed:  What has the OWC accomplished this past year?  We will find out through some networking, teamwork and competition - we have some great prizes from generous sponsors to give away.     Are dry dams a good idea? Guest speaker Shirley Pickering will share her personal story of the 2013 flood and how the proposed options to prevent future flooding will impact the Little Bow watershed.  Are recreational user fees necessary? Adam Driedzic will share his findings from across the western USA for managing recreational use of public land.  Be Involved: Find out what new projects are starting, talk to volunteers who have been involved in projects and learn how your help is vital. Your vote counts: We will be putting forward a motion to change how we appoint board members in our bylaws so that we will be eligible to fundraise through casinos. and, of course - a nice hot lunch and great snacks! AGM Agenda Register Now! When Wednesday June 25, 2014 from 9:00 AM to 3:15 PM MDT Add to Calendar Where Enmax Western Canadian Bank Lounge 2510 Scenic Drive South Lethbridge, AB T1K 7V7 Driving Directions Cost:  $25 members; $35 non-members; $10 students Lunch included Flooding, boil water advisories, hail, fire... Now more than ever it is important to pay attention to what's happening in your watershed! Your input and involvement is critical! Only by working together can we overcome these challenges. For more information please contact: Bev Bellamy Oldman Watershed Council bev@oldmanbasin.org 403-381-5145

Prairie Urban Garden Tour - one week left to register!!

Attention all Garden Enthusiasts - one week left to register for our Prairie Urban Garden Tour! Saturday, June 21st, the Oldman Watershed Council will be hosting a FREE, self-guided tour of Lethbridge xeriscape gardens that are both beautiful and environmentally friendly.     Click on the link below for more information or to register. Get more information Register Now! For more information: Leta Pezderic, Program Coordinator leta@oldmanbasin.org 403-381-5801 Event brought to you by:

The Buzzin' of the Bees ... and a FREE GARDEN TOUR!

(Editor's note: We are once again blessed with a guest column by June Flanagan, published author and horticulturalist - and just in time for you to register for a 

FREE GARDEN TOUR! 

To register - we do need to know how many refreshments to tell our 

generous sponsors to have at the ready - please visit: http://www.prairieurbangarden.ca/ 

The tour is Saturday, June 21st).

Garden for pollinators

 

As masses of wildflowers appear this month, the Oldman River watershed is humming with activity, and I love watching insects dart among the blossoms, madly sipping sweet nectar.  A brief glimpse of a magnificent butterfly, flitting from one flower to another, can frame a perfect moment against a southern Alberta blue sky.

We enjoy wildflowers for their beauty - but insects see them as food.  In addition to serving floral elixirs to winged creatures, native plants supply leafy meals to voracious larvae before they morph into adults.    

After you gather inspiration from other water-conserving Xeriscapes on the OWC's upcoming Prairie Urban Garden tour, consider cultivating your own environment-friendly oasis of native plants.  Urban pockets of native species contribute valuable food sources for pollinators and these plants make great candidates for a water-wise garden. 

Plant your pollination garden with wildflowers that bloom at different times during the season and choose species that have a variety of blossom shapes and colours, like smooth blue beardtongue (Penstemon nitidus) with its tubular landing platform for bees, and daisies like blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) and prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) that pose good perches for butterflies.

  

Add native shrubs, such as saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia), which offers shelter from the wind and foliage for caterpillar food, as well as fruit for birds (and for the gardener to make pies, muffins and jam!).  Clumps of prairie grasses, such as green needle grass (Nassella viridula) also provide desirable larval food for some insect species.

Find commercial sources of native plants for your garden through the Native Plant Source List published by the Alberta Native Plant Council <www.anpc.ab.ca>.  A number of growers around the province specialize in producing seeds and plants of native species. Lethbridge gardeners can find seeds of local species, and view mature plants in the "Garden of Native Prairie Plants" at the Galt Museum <www.galtmuseum.com>.

You'll likely find that native plants attract a diverse number of pollinators to your landscape, which helps strike a good balance between beneficial and undesirable insects that will minimize pest problems.  If you're curious about what's buzzing around your plants, check out the great photos and information at <www.insectsofalberta.com>.    

This season do something wonderful for your garden and for our environment - grow native plants.  I can't think of a better way to connect with our natural heritage.

Warm wishes for a successful growing season,

June

  

June Flanagan is a Lethbridge botanist and environmental horticulturist with a passion for native plants.  She has published five regional books, including Edible Plants for Prairie Gardens and Native Plants for Prairie Gardens.  Check out her web site for more gardening tips www.juneflanagan.ca 

To see what's blooming in the wild and in the garden "like" her Facebook Author Page: facebook.com/pages/June-Flanagan/616537095101785 and follow June on Instagram www.instagram.com/juneflanagan 

What’s my watershed story?

(Editor's note: Brian Bradley, Branch Manager of RBC in Lethbridge on Mayor Magrath Drive, will be presenting the Oldman Watershed Council with a whopping cheque of nearly $58,000 as part of their Blue Water Project on Thursday at 11 am. It would mean a lot to see you there to show support for all the incredible people who are working hard to ensure clear, clean drinking water and healthy ecosystems at both RBC and OWC. Brian has got a great watershed story that begins way down in the south part of the prairies ... I'll let him continue with the story ...)  

Well, I was born in south Saskatchewan, south of Moose Jaw - in fact, in a very dry part of the world. I grew up on a dry land farm with one horse! We grew "heavy oats" to sell to American racehorse suppliers. We relied on the spring runoff to fill our two dugouts and ran pipes from a slough to manage our water needs. Drinking water, though, was hauled in from a community well 10 miles away in Assiniboia – straight south of Moose Jaw and about 45 miles north of the Montana border.

I remember particularly the spring of '88. It didn't rain at all and we ended up just plowing the crop under. We ran an air conditioning business, though – and that summer was a busy one with people buying up units to try and escape the heat.

We had a reservoir about 30 miles away that we used for boating and fishing. Knee-boarding was all the rage when I was a kid. That hot summer I would have been about 15 and we had a lot of fun out there. Just outside of town, about 8 miles away from us, there was the Assiniboia reservoir – so it was closer but we could only use it for fishing because only electric motors were allowed on it.

I ended up going to college in Lethbridge where I learned Business Administration and Heavy Duty Mechanics. My dream was to farm here, so I rented land and started to grow oats following the family tradition. My wife, Bobbi, was working at RBC and when this remarkable opportunity came up with them, we made an important choice and I began my career with them.

I'm excited to be able to present the Oldman Watershed Council with this cheque of $57,880 from RBC's Blue Water program. RBC has pledged over $50 million to protect water over a ten-year period. Water is an absolutely crucial focus for our philanthropy and we couldn't be more pleased to see this money go toward the OWC's activities. We can see that the OWC's work aligns exactly with what RBC is attempting to do with the Blue Water program. The program was launched in 2007 and RBC has pledged over $38 million to more than 650 charitable organizations worldwide to help protect our water. In our seventh year of this project, RBC Blue Water is tackling the critical issue of urban watershed. This is something I know hits home to all of us, and resonates with our families, friends and neighbors.

Our branch here on Mayor Magrath Drive is also participating in the coulee clean-upon June 10^th starting out from the Helen Schuler Nature Centre. We really try to incorporate water awareness in our everyday work, too. We have stopped using plastic bottles in the branch, for example!

I am excited about teaching my 6-year old son, Austin, more about where our water comes from, where it goes … and how he can become a strong water steward for the future. Like every youngster, he loves to get out under the sprinklers, swim and fish. Waterton Park has to be about his favorite place in the watershed. I hope that RBC's contribution to the OWC can help us raise awareness and ensure clean, plentiful water for drinking, working and playing for generations to come. 

I hope to meet you and say hello  this coming Thursday, June 12th, at the branch

 when we officially hand over the cheque to OWC.

 It would be great to see you there!

Brian Bradley | Branch Manager, RBC Royal Bank | Royal Bank of Canada

T. 403-382-3950 | F. 403-380-3699 | 1139 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, AB T1K 2P9

Connie's blog

(Editor's note: This is a really special blog posting, with insights into the OWC's focus on the headwaters, written by Connie Simmons, OWC Planning Manager. She was inspired to write the blog upon hearing the news that the OWC is the recipient of an  RBC Blue Water grant. The grant has been earmarked for the Headwaters Action Plan, which Connie steers. I'll let her tell you all about it, below) ....

I am passionate about the Oldman headwaters.   I live here, and the water I drink is straight out of an artesian well, gravity fed to our tap.   The little catchment up behind our home is forested with big windswept firs, spruce and aspen, and picturesque rocky outcrops criss-crossed with game trails.  It percolates rain and snow melt-water through the ground to our spring, coming to us clear, cold and delicious.   Are we fortunate?  You bet!  There isn’t a day that goes by without deep gratitude!   And this realization is what maintains my commitment to healthy and safe drinking water for all downstream - every hamlet, village, town and city - and the myriad other life forms that call this watershed home.

We have a lot to celebrate in our work for the Oldman headwaters.  Most importantly, we are grateful for committed stakeholders, volunteers, a caring public, and funding support for our work.   When we have the backing of the greater watershed community, it appears the funding follows!   This week, we are celebrating significant support from the Royal Bank of Canada Blue Water Project - who recently approved a grant for $57,880.00 to implement key priority actions of the OWC’s Headwaters Action Plan 2013-14!  Thank you RBC!

We are so excited to have this funding for this important work! The OWC is committed to working with the greater watershed community, and this funding provides a solid step forward to keep our commitment to a diverse group of stakeholders (Partnership Advisory Network; PAN) and the public who participated in good faith and provided significant contributions to create the Headwaters Action Plan 2013-14, with the expectation that positive work for the headwaters health will be put on the ground.   To begin this work, the Headwaters Action Team has just been formed - a great bunch of people from diverse sectors who stepped forward from the Partnership Advisory Network to begin working on our priority actions.  

So what actions are we starting on? 

Connie's beautiful view of the Gladstone Valley in the Oldman watershed

Classifying linear features is an important first step.   When the PAN reviewed the scientific assessment of headwaters pressures and risks - the amount of linear features was at moderate to high risk to 77% of the headwaters sub-watersheds.   That means every seismic line, cutline, road, railroad, pipeline, powerline and quad trail adds up to risk to key headwaters values.   

Sure, we need many of these linear features, but there are many that can either mitigated to safeguard headwaters health, or reclaimed so that we reduce the pressure and risk to important headwaters values and functions.  These include surface water quality, retention and control of water levels and flows (e.g. during floods), and taking care of biodiversity values - like habitat for threatened bull-trout and Westslope cutthroat trout.  

But first, we need to have a method of assessing which linear features to keep, which need mitigation work to lessen impacts on water sources, which ones should be prioritized for rollback and reclamation.   This requires a solid effort of collaboration between scientists, stakeholders and public users to understand the way we are classifying linear features, and take the necessary steps to begin the job of remediating negative effects on headwaters health. 

We are also looking at a recreation education program to help recreation users in urban and rural communities to understand how their actions impact headwaters values.  Recreation education related to sustaining water and watershed health is focused on ensuring that recreation activities are mindful of impacts on water quality and the sustainability of healthy aquatic ecosystems.   This is a big one for the Oldman headwaters - we are in jeopardy of loving the place to bits and losing key values that make it so incredibly beautiful and special!   

And speaking of special - First Nations have had a special spiritual connection to this place for millennia.   We would like to honour and learn from this connection.  With the participation of First Nations community members, we are working towards hosting a First Nations Youth and Elder Water Day - where Elders share their traditional knowledge about water and spirit of water with Youth, and where we can also find links to western watershed science. 

We have a lot to do!   And are moving things forward as I speak!  We sincerely thank RBC Blue Water for this significant support of the Headwaters Action Plan, and to the urban and rural communities that rely on a healthy Oldman headwaters as a critical water tower in southern Alberta. 

If you would like to learn more or would like to contribute to our efforts - please contact us: info@oldmanbasin.org

   

Connie Simmons

Planning Manager

Oldman Watershed Council

Executive Director's good news secret ...

(Editors note: I said I'd never publish two blog posts on the same day ... 

...but this is such good news... and I can't keep a good news secret!

We've had such a strong increase in our readership that I want you to read it here first :-)

June 06, 2014

Media Release

We are still recovering from the flood of 2014, and fear is high that this year will bring more trouble. Reservoirs are at their lowest levels ever – just in case. Canadians rank the economy and healthcare as the most important national issues, while water pollution and supply continue to be low priorities. In fact, since 2008, Canadians’ concern for water quality in lakes, rivers and streams has decreased. Yet 75% of Canadians understand that, due to climate change, extreme weather events, such as flooding, will become more and more frequent.

That’s why we’re thrilled that the Oldman Watershed Council (OWC) 

has been awarded RBC’s second largest Blue Water Project grant in Alberta. 

Over $57,000 is designated towards a very special project to help protect headwaters. A cheque presentation will take place on RBC’s Blue Water Day, Thursday, June 12^th at 11:00 a.m., at the RBC branch in Lethbridge (1139 Mayor Magrath Drive South). Branch manager Brian Bradley will present the donation to OWC Executive Director, Shannon Frank.

The RBC Blue Water Project was launched in 2007 to help provide access to drinkable, swimmable, fishable water today and for future generations. To date, RBC has pledged over $38 million to more than 650 charitable organizations worldwide that protect watersheds and promote access to clean drinking water, with an additional $7.8 million pledged to universities for water programs.

“The Blue Water Project is an important part of how RBC gives back to the communities we live and work in,” says Mark Brown, regional vice president, RBC. “Water matters – pure and simple. Last year, we began focusing our efforts on supporting projects that help protect and preserve water in communities across the country – projects just like this.” 

Photo courtesy Andy Hurly Important at-risk fish species in the headwaters thank the RBC, too!

The public is invited to attend to hear Executive Director  Shannon Frank explain how that grant money has been designated to protect our headwaters. Our water source begins in the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains and provides all our drinking water in southern Alberta. But all is not rosy – due to increased development, recreation, industry and agriculture, 80% of our headwaters are classified as “in danger” as its health declines and species’ populations are at risk.

The OWC welcomes all enquiries about watershed management and health – 

and how you can make a difference in your local community. 

To find out more – or to become an important volunteer or sponsor – please contact:

Shannon Frank
OWC Executive Director
100, 5401-1st Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4V6 
Phone: 403-382-4239 
Email: shannon@oldmanbasin.org
www.oldmanbasin.org

Help plant the City's new floating island!

New floating Islands in storm ponds use green technology for cleaner water

The City of Lethbridge has purchased BioHaven® Floating Islands from VITA Water Technologies, for the West Highlands Storm Water Pond.  Installation is planned for June 9 and 10, 2014.

Floating Islands will enhance the environmental and biological health of the pond and create wildlife habitat in the same way as Mother Nature.

Installation of BioHaven® Floating Concentrated Wetlands (FCW) is a first for the City of Lethbridge.  The installation includes 12 floating islands, each with a surface area of 6 m².

“A clean, environmentally friendly park system is very important to us and to residents,” says David Ellis, Parks Manager for the City of Lethbridge.  “These new floating islands will help to keep the water in storm ponds clean, while enhancing the park experience for residents.”

Erik Vandist, Managing Director of Vita Water Technologies, stated “VITA is proud to support Lethbridge as the first city in Western Canada to use Floating Concentrated Wetlands to clean water in a public pond and at the same time, add a beautifying water feature.”

FCWs are used in lakes, storm ponds, waste water ponds and dugouts to improve water quality.  The islands bio-mimic natural wetlands.  Bio-mimicry is the copying of natural processes.  As in nature, native plants and naturally occurring bacteria grow above and below the waterline of the island.  Plants and bacteria filter and remove unwanted nutrients and contaminants from the pond without the use of chemicals.

In 2000, inventor and outdoorsman Bruce Kania saw something that changed the way he looked at water.  His dog, Rufus, jumped into a pond and came out red.  Concerned for his dog and the condition of the water, Bruce saw a need to improve water quality in nature.  Bruce knew floating peat bogs improve the water quality of waterways.  Bruce set out to “bio-mimic” these floating structures.

More than 5,400 islands have been launched in North America, the EU, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Korea and China.

In addition to cleaning water, FCWs have other applications.  These include the control of shore erosion, docks for watercraft and as recreational platforms. Floating Islands enhance wildlife habitat and beautify ponds in both urban and rural settings.  FCWs may be custom shaped and come in sizes from 2.5 m² to 4,000 m².  Each island will improve water quality for 15 years.

We are looking for volunteers to help out with planting and other duties.  If you would like to help out please contact Taren Hager and she will provide you will the details (see contact information below).  Snacks and beverages will be provided, along with gloves and safety vests!

 

Taren Hager, B.Sc

Storm Pond Operations Technician

City of Lethbridge

304 Stafford Drive North

Ph: (403) 380-7313

Cell: (403) 393-3252

For more information, check out the storm pond website!

Quads on Lake Shores: What are the rules and the state of enforcement?

The Alberta Lake Management Society has asked a good question.

It’s a timely one too, as awareness about the impacts of OHVs on watersheds peaks with the annual spring wetness.  There are definitely rules and some options for better enforcement.  There’s also a slight legal grey area and passing of the hot potato.  Wet areas surrounding a permanent lake expose a gap in provincial regulations and uncertainty as to how municipalities can fill it.  Some simple reforms would provide much clarity and there are multiple current opportunities.

Whose job is it anyway?
The environment isn’t a distinct legal category. That means everyone including the feds, the province, the municipality and the landowners could have lake management roles. The two key players concerning quads on lake shores are the province and the municipalities, and I sense uncertainty about their division of responsibility.  Lakefront landowners and the feds have smaller roles that I’ll note in passing:

Lakefront landowners might have most reason to complain about OHVs but they may discover that public policy is a more useful tool than property rights. Direct recourse would require a private lawsuit against the individual quadders. These individuals might be unidentifiable and are often less of a problem than the cumulative effect of motorized access. The claim would be based on common law nuisance or riparian rights. Riparian rights aren’t available where the property is separated from the water by strips of municipal or provincial land. Even a non-navigable marsh between the land and open water could stymie a claim. Therefore good lake management measures by public authorities have the side effect of foreclosing private claims.  The benefit is that private claims become less necessary. We’ll revisit the landowners respecting municipal planning.

Federal legislation is mostly help not hurt, just don’t expect much help. The Migratory Birds Convention Act, Fisheries Act and Species at Risk Act can all regulate recreational impacts. The best example was a Fisheries Act conviction for “joyriding” in Waiparous Creek in the Ghost on the 2011 May long weekend [the Bertram case]. The future utility of federal legislation is uncertain in this age of rollbacks.

Beware that the federal power over navigation can impair local action against motorized watersports. This barrier can be avoided by distinguishing OHVs in the water from motorized boating. In R v. Kupchanko the British Columbia Court of Appeal held that a provincial ban on motorized conveyances in a wetland wildlife refuge was invalid concerning motorboats but allowable for OHVs.

Provincial legislation is a key piece of the puzzle. There’s no doubt that the province is concerned with OHVs in wet areas.  Check out the education campaign on the AESRD website and reports of enforcement efforts on the AESRD blog. The legal issue is that outdated public land legislation is more about ownership than stewardship. This leads to “access” management when we need “recreation” management.

The Public Lands Act gives the province ownership of the “beds and shores” of all permanent and naturally occurring water bodies. Provincial ownership ends at the “bank.” The bank can be tricky to define as the Surveys Act focuses on vegetation distinctions while the common law focuses on the high water mark. The ELC’s Guide to Wetland Law and Policy concludes that permanent marshes or wetland vegetation should be part of the bed and shore owned by the province. For an example of provincial management further inland, see our post on  Buffalo Lake.

Provisions governing motorized use of lakeshores are somewhat contradictory in my view. The Public Lands Act prohibits damage to public land in general. This was enforced against OHV destruction of a creek bed in 2013 [the Sharpe Case]. The Public Lands Act also prohibits injury to the bed or shore of any lake and injury to watershed capacity. The uncertainty comes through the 2011Public Lands Administration Regulation (“the Regulation”), which creates a baseline for public access that is best described as ‘open unless closed’. The Regulation prohibits any wheeled or tracked conveyance on the bed or shore of any permanent water body but it does not clearly cover impermanent wetlands. That means random mud bogging on vacant public land is basically legal so long as it doesn’t cause injury. Protecting seasonal wet areas requires closures, and there have been many since the 2013 flood. Closures are a blunt tool that can be unpopular, especially if unplanned and for uncertain duration. With rules this muddy, its’ no wonder that we need buddy in the titanium baseball cap to “respect the land.”

An alternative would be the recommendation of the South Saskatchewan Regional Advisory Council to ban mud bogging and destructive recreation for what it is. This could be done by strengthening the Regulation or incrementally through regional plans. The current provincial response is as much focused on providing recreational opportunities as managing impacts. Such ‘carrot and stick’ strategies can definitely help reel in outlaws (think Caribbean pirates, high school bullies or jailhouse informants). However, the focus is on trails and camps in the Green Area. This doesn’t help lakes in the White Area where recreational impacts come through municipal development and private land. There is some logic to kicking the ball to the local community, so long as the community can respond.

Municipal powers must be delegated through provincial legislation. Recreation management raises the municipal concern about ‘responsibility without power’, but municipalities also have more power than they use.

The ideal is to address recreational use through the municipal planning and development process. The Municipal Government Act lets municipalities take “environmental reserves” from land abutting the bed and shore of any lake for the purposes of preventing pollution and providing public access to the bed and shore. This can simplify management by limiting the number of private access points from which OHVs can get onto the shore. The municipality becomes the landowner so the manner of access – motorized or non – should be on its terms.  Other purposes of environmental reserves are more focused on keeping development away from environmental hazards. The Municipal Government Act is under review so the time to enable reserves for clear environmental protection purposes is now.

Municipalities might not take environmental reserves due to landowner sentiment or not wanting ownership. An environmental reserve easement could limit land use while keeping title with the landowner.

Reserves can only be taken on initial subdivision. This ship may have sailed given that lakes are development magnets. This situation favors creative thinking and engaging the developers. Conservation easements, bare land condominiums or land use zoning might bind a row of private units to non-motorized beach access.

An alternative municipal strategy is to flex some muscle below the bank. Municipalities are not ousted simply because the province owns the beds and shores. Municipalities have broad powers and specific powers that could be available:

• The Municipal Government Act provides broad powers to prohibit activities. These powers are intended to “enhance the ability of councils to respond to present and future issues”. Broad powers were central to the famous pesticide bylaw case of Spraytech vs. Hudson in which the Supreme Court of Canada found that municipalities are often best positioned to address local concerns.

• The Municipal Government Act specifically provides municipalities with “direction, control and management” of natural water bodies within the municipality.” The water body power was used to uphold a City of Calgary lifejacket bylaw in R v. Latouche. The case concerned boating rather than OHVs but it indicates that municipal bylaws under the water body power can regulate recreational use below the bank.

A municipal bylaw that bans OHVs from lake shores within municipal boundaries would not automatically be trumped by the province permitting motorized access. There might not be any conflict between the laws. Going back to the pesticide example, the province doesn’t force you to spray Roundup so there’s no conflict in complying with the municipal ban. Provincial consent to ride OHVs on the lakeshore doesn’t mean it must be done.

What matters is the scope of municipal power. Greater clarity from the province as to what powers have been delegated would provide municipalities with more confidence to use these powers. The City of Calgary can defend a court challenge, but how about your summer village?

As a final though on municipal powers, they suffer from the same ill as provincial regulations in that they mostly enable blunt prohibitions. Recreation management also requires proactive solutions like ordering restoration and funding stewardship work – yet another item for legislative reform.

Boots on the Ground:

Regulations don’t mean much without enforcement capacity. This is a proven challenge to managing OHVs in Alberta. Enabling the province and municipalities to enforce each other’s’ regulations on each other’s turf could help ease the burden.

Having provincial officers enforce municipal bylaws might create some incentive for municipalities to take environmental reserves. This option is another matter that deserves to be addressed through the Municipal Government Act review.

Likewise, municipal officers could help the province to protect its property. The Public Lands Act provides that officers can include members of police services or peace officers approved by the province. Municipal officers can be approved to enforce provincial legislation other than the Municipal Government Act through the Peace Officer Program run by the Solicitor General. The program Policy Manual states that the intention is to “meet specialized law enforcement needs”. The province would have to provide written authorization that sets out what the officers can enforce and the tactics available. OHVs are cited as an examples enforcement item in the program manual. Municipalities can enter agreements to share the upgraded officers, which could be of great assistance to small lakefront communities.

You can strengthen environmental decision-making in Alberta. Please give generously.

Adam Driedzic / Leah Orr

Environmental Law Centre

    

1-800-661-4238

lorr@elc.ab.ca

www.elc.ab.ca

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