Legal challenge filed against solar farm
The Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition has filed a legal challenge against city council’s 7-6 decision to rezone 99 acres of river valley parkland for Epcor’s industrial solar power plant.
They are asking a judge to determine if this project should have been subject to the river valley bylaw. This bylaw, created to protect our river valley when it is “threatened by commercial and industrial uses, as well as by civic uses such as public utilities,” states that major public facilities in the river valley must be deemed “essential” by council. Council did not do this. Instead, they considered the project private — even though Epcor received Alberta Utilities Commission approval as a “municipal subsidiary.”
Solar energy is, of course, good in the right location. But a river valley location is not essential. Nor is it appropriate; as our province’s own solar guidelines clearly state, large solar projects do not belong in river valleys because they cause ecological harm. Read more at https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-solar-energy-and-protecting-biodiversity-arent-at-odds
City fixes fence after death of several deer
A spiked fence in Cameron Heights on which several deer have impaled themselves is being retrofitted with a flat rail. "City contractors are currently installing retrofit rail along the top of the privately-owned and city-owned portions of the fence in Cameron Heights, so they no longer pose a danger to wildlife in the ravine," City of Edmonton spokesperson Karen Burgess said an email to CBC News.
"The city also installed orange snow fencing to the top of the fence as a temporary measure to reduce the danger to wildlife by helping them better see the limits of the fence until the permanent retrofits could be completed," she said.
Burgess said an update to the City of Edmonton's design and construction standards to be completed by the end of the year, will exclude spiked fences. "In the meantime, a moratorium has been placed on picket-style subdivision perimeter fences to prevent new fencing from conflicting with wildlife," she said. Learn more at https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/city-fixes-cameron-heights-fence-after-deaths-of-several-deer-and-years-of-complaints-1.5846141
Help create a lasting river valley legacy
Calgary promotes its proximity to the Rocky Mountains to attract and retain talent. It is time Edmonton did the same thing regarding the river valley. The Ribbon of Green is our equivalent to the Rockies, our strongest differentiating feature.
The river valley is close to the hearts of Edmontonians, who value its natural beauty and the opportunity to enjoy. If you think of our river valley as a Ribbon of Green and as a sacred trust, gifted to us to respect, honour, and protect for ourselves and future generations then we should protect it forever.
The North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society Capital Fund at the Edmonton Community Foundation has been created to support conservation of natural lands in the City of Edmonton. The intent and purpose of the Fund is to support land acquisition and other activities that conserve the natural ecosystems in the river valley, giving priority to maintaining the biodiversity and ecological integrity of those lands for the public benefit.
Once the fund reaches $10,000, the net income of the Fund will be disbursed annually to the Edmonton and Area Land Trust. The Fund currently has $6,818. Help us reach $10,000+ by the end of 2020. Your can give your charitable donation online at https://www.ecfoundation.org/funds/north-saskatchewan-river-valley-conservation-society-capital-fund/
Join EALT Board of Directors
The Edmonton and Area Land Trust is seeking new, forward-thinking, and enthusiastic board members to join EALT's governing body. Help build a conservation legacy in Edmonton and area by joining a governance team committed to conserving a network of forests, river valleys, wetlands, lakes, and farmlands in Edmonton and area.
As a director, you will work with a diverse mix of perspectives and voices that together seek to address the challenges facing land conservation in a growing city and region. Applications are open until February 8, 2021. Learn more here https://www.ealt.ca/board-members
(Matthias Bruinsma in Rundle Park, photo credit: Louisa Bruinsma)
River valley concern or question
If you have a river valley concern or question, contact us at nsrivervalley@gmail.com
Your friends and neighbours can sign up for this newsletter at https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/
If you have a photo, information, news or event about Edmonton’s river valley and think it should be in this newsletter, email it to nsrivervalley@gmail.com
Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
nsrivervalley@gmail.com
https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/
Facebook @NSRVCS
Instagram @nsrvcs