The amended MDP includes the following provision:

Except where resource extraction is required to the extent necessary to accommodate an approved development, [and] subject to federal and provincial overriding approvals, resource extraction is prohibited within the North Saskatchewan River Valley and Ravine System in order to preserve its ecological value.

The Society is very pleased with this decision representing Council’s commitment to protecting Edmonton’s pristine river valley; they are to be congratulated for their foresight.

While this is indeed a victory, we must continue to exercise diligence in monitoring Kanata’s (or any other proponent’s) efforts to maneuver around existing bylaws. This amendment has far-reaching implications. Edmontonians should celebrate Council’s decision to further protect the river valley from industrial development.

Please attend the Open House to be held on Tuesday, December15th, 2009 (4:00 - 8:00 p.m.) at the Woodbend Community Hall (215th Street & 9th Avenue). Representatives from Kanata will be present to discuss their plans for the area.  It’s important that we clearly communicate our position directly to Kanata so that subsequent representations to City Council must acknowledge public opposition to the gravel pit.
This is your opportunity to voice your concerns and protect the river valley’s last remaining substantial natural area.

For more information about the proposal, contact Kanata at 1-877-594-5026 or visit its website at:
http://www.msgc.ca/whats+new/kanata+metis+cultural+enterprise+ltd/default.ksi

4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December15th, 2009
Woodbend Community Hall (215th Street & 9th Avenue)

Bring your friends and neighbours.

We need volunteers to help on the following committees:

RESEARCH

1) People interested in investigating various topics for general background information relating to the proposed project. General sources and/or methods include: internet, library, government agencies, personal communication, NGOs (non government organizations), meetings, industry, networking, etc.

2) People with specific expertise relating to various components of the proposed project.
Environmental Expertise- wildlife, hydrology, hydro-geology, vegetation, fish and aquatic resources, wetlands) Operational Expertise- gravel  operations, road construction, air quality, noise, geo-technical specialist (engineer), landscape specialist.

Contact Paul
Email - paul.yusypchuk@tbwifi.ca

FUN-DRAISING COMMITTEE

Join this committee to help keep our North Saskatchewan River Valley free of gravel business.
Help plan events to bring community together to raise money for the North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society and have FUN.

Contact  Dianne
Call - 780-441-1780 or 780-481-4981
Email: dianneassaly@live.com

OPERATIONS

Organize and mobilize volunteers to make a difference!
Changing and maintaining signs in the community.
Arrange meetings, mail outs and other activities that may be required.

Contact Iren Bartok

Call - 780-470-3877
Email  Iren@marcato.ca

COMMUNICATIONS

Media and Press releases
Notices to community

Contact Mike Evans
Call - 780-425-4484
Email - mevans@teleologic.ca

OUTREACH

Updating membership database and signing up new members
Keeping membership informed of upcoming events via email

Contact Barton McLean
Email - NSRVCS@gmail.com

If you would like to be of assistance but are not sure which committee you would be best suited for,
Contact Dianne
Call - 780 441 1780
Email - dianneassaly@live.com

“Subject to federal and provincial overriding approvals, resource extraction is prohibited in the North Saskatchewan River Valley and Ravine system in order to preserve its ecological value except where resource extraction is required to be removed to the extent necessary to accommodate an approved development.”

The municipal Administration was very clear in its explanation that the amendment would prohibit resource extraction – i.e., a gravel pit – in the river valley or a tributary ravines

However, Councillors Leibovici and Hayter both asked questions that confirmed that a gravel pit could be approved before the full MDP is adopted, which is expected in the early spring of 2010, and that the prohibition would not apply if such a gravel pit was approved.

In other words, even though Qualico withdrew its application, a new proponent could make a similar application and have a gravel pit approved before Council adopts the MDP.  The approval would be grandfathered and not be affected by the provisions of  the new MDP.

A new proponent for the gravel pit
Kanata Métis Enterprises recently purchased the lands in the river valley that were the site of Qualico’s proposed gravel pit.  It is their intention to make an application to Council to have their gravel pit project approved this fall.

The North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society has designated these lands the Woodbend Natural Area and prepared several documents to support their protection in perpetuity.

The battle to keep the ‘ribbon of green’ from industrial and mining, the battle to save the river valley for our children and grandchildren, is still on.

What you can do
Stay involved with the NSRVCS.  E-mail your friends and family with a link to this website and encourage them to join us.

For thirty years or more, Edmontonians have said that the river valley is our greatest natural asset.  Edmontonians have repeatedly said that City Council must protect the river valley and ravine system.

We must continue to vocally oppose any industrial development within the river valley that would render the City’s commitment to natural areas conservation – as outlined in Natural Connections, its conservation bylaw and plan – pointless hypocrisy.

Renew your commitment today.  Join the Society by clicking here.  Subscribe to our e-newsletter by clicking here.  Enlist your friends and family to save the Ribbon of Green.

With scores of items to choose from, the Society will be simultaneously running a silent auction to bolster fundraising efforts during this event.

The first is directions to the hall from West Edmonton Mall here:  PDF

The second is directions to the hall from Devon here: PDF

Wayne Lee Fundraiser PDF

We were previously informed that Qualico had allowed their option to purchase the land expire.
Since release of the last notice a few days ago, we have just been informed by Qualico’s legal
counsel that Qualico will not be pursuing the applications they have with the City and the
Province. The Society and community should be congratulated. This is very good news –
however we are also aware that the landowner group continues to seek alternate options.

Dunhill Group Inc. Seeks Alternate Buyers for Gravel Extraction

The landowner group, led by Dunhill Group Inc., continues to actively seek alternate proponents
to buy the land for gravel extraction. Their efforts are in direct opposition to existing land use
policies.

Subsection 3.5.2 of Edmonton’s North Saskatchewan River Valley Area Redevelopment
Plan Bylaw No. 7188 states that, “it is a policy of this Plan that natural resource extraction
industries shall not be developed unless their location within the River Valley is deemed essential
by Council.” We feel there is no legitimate argument that the gravel extraction at this location in
the river valley is “essential”.

We have increasing support of politicians at all levels of government opposing gravel extraction in
Edmonton’s river valley. Nonetheless, we anticipate a long hard fight. In order to justify a high
purchase price for the land, it is likely that Dunhill will continue to push for a land use approval
that allows gravel extraction. It appears, therefore, that the fight will be ongoing until the city
bylaws explicitly and unconditionally prohibit natural resource extraction in the river valley.

Environmental Attributes of Woodbend Natural Area - PDF