NSRVCS Newsletter - April 17, 2021

Guest User

April 17, 2021

River valley clean up effort gaining momentum online
When Ryan Haworth returned to Edmonton less than two months ago, he wanted to find a healthy way to create a close bond with his hometown. He soon found a worthy cause in Edmonton's river valley.

Haworth came across a Reddit post a couple of weeks ago complaining about how much garbage was in the river valley and he decided to do something about it. In less than two weeks, this has led to a group of just under 50 Edmontonians organizing clean-up efforts around the area.

While the size of the park can seem intimidating, taking on the task of cleaning it isn't difficult, Haworth said. "It's a big job for me to go and try and do it on a Thursday. But if you have a million people in the greater Edmonton area, only 50 to 200 of those people need to care to actually keep it maintained," Haworth said. More at https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-river-valley-clean-up-effort-gaining-momentum-online-1.5988099

Proposed river footbridge would join Edmonton, Strathcona County
A footbridge that would connect Edmonton and Strathcona County is being proposed to improve access and connectivity towards a multi-use trail system. The project would create a river valley connection between the west side of the river at 167 Avenue to the east side at Township Road 540.

The general location was recommended after a feasibility study was completed in January of 2020. The city says Indigenous Nations and surrounding communities were engaged at the early stages to share insights and concerns about the proposed site.

The city is offering an online survey to provide feedback on the site of the proposed footbridge and additional amenities. The survey closes on April 29. Take the survey at https://www.edmonton.ca/projects_plans/roads/edmonton-strathcona-county-footbridge.aspx?utm_source=virtualaddress&utm_campaign=edmontonstrathconafootbridge

Alcohol at picnic sites in seven river valley parks proposed
On April 28, Community and Public Services Committee will decide whether to approve a pilot program to allow the consumption of alcohol in seven river valley parks from May 28 until October 11, 2021. The selected parks include Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Whitemud, William Hawrelak, Government House, Victoria, Gold Bar, and Rundle.

Between February 22 and March 7, 2021, Administration conducted an online survey seeking the level of support for a pilot project to allow alcohol consumption in designated picnic areas in City parks. In total, 15,554 responses were received with 71 per cent supporting the plan.

Key concerns from respondents were ensuring noise and litter issues are well managed, designated areas are clearly signed with usage rules and regulations, proximity to washrooms and ensuring enforcement to avoid any disorderly behaviours.

You can read Administration’s report by clicking on Agenda 6.2 at https://pub-edmonton.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=905401ef-d112-4041-bdb0-3280e03f57d4&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English&Item=24&Tab=attachments

If you wish to speak at Community and Public Services Committee on this issue, register with the City Clerk at 780.496.8178, city.clerk@edmonton.ca or in-person before the 9:30am meeting begins.

River valley concern or contribution
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 on our web site.
If you have a photo, information, or event about Edmonton’s river valley and think it should be in this newsletter, email it to us.

Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712

Guest User

April 8, 2021

NSRVCS Newsletter - April 8, 2021

Guest User

April 8, 2021

Man dead after trying to rescue dog on river ice
Search and rescue crews have been unable to find the body of a 55-year-old man who fell through river ice Tuesday near the Buena Vista Park off-leash area just north of Laurier Park and the Edmonton Valley Zoo. Witnesses said the man rushed out onto the North Saskatchewan River ice around 12:30 p.m. to help a stranger retrieve her dog.

“He made it to the dog, tried pulling the dog up. He was probably 50 feet out into open water and the dog struggled and the ice broke. The man got swept under, he popped up a couple times, that’s the last time we saw him,” said Monica Ness.

“There was quite a bit current. It took him under and brought him quite a way down the river. And then he went under again and I don’t think anyone saw him after that,” witness Tiffany Harris said. The dog was rescued and treated. More at https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/man-presumed-dead-after-trying-to-rescue-dog-on-north-saskatchewan-river-ice-1.5377193

Hawrelak park lake expanded use under consideration
Council’s Community and Public Services Committee, on April 14, will consider proposals for expanded non-winter use of the lake at Hawrelak Park. Recommendations do not include wading and swimming due to water quality standards that cannot be achieved due to Canada geese and lake sediment release.

Waterfowl droppings directly into the lake in addition to phosphorus release from the bottom sediment account for 88% of the phosphorus loading in the lake. Geese droppings add phosphorus and nitrogen to the land around the lakes and directly into the lakes where they graze and loaf. Contributors to lake sediment are waterfowl droppings and feathers, algae that die and fall to the lake bottom, and sediment pumped into the lake from the river.

Recommended measures include improving the user experience by the lake through environmentally inviting spaces; on the lake with water activities such as stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking and enhancing the park’s sustainable irrigation strategy by providing an improved and consistent water supply from the lake.

You can read Administration’s report by clicking on Agenda item 6.3 at https://pub-edmonton.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=8672969e-5206-410c-8e3e-7e2ed40d12e4&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English

If you wish to speak at Community and Public Services Committee on this issue, register with the City Clerk at 780.496.8178, city.clerk@edmonton.ca or in-person before the 9:30am meeting begins.

Edmonton ward papastew named after respected Chief
papastew, also known as Papaschase, was the respected leader of the Papaschase Band, which resided in the Edmonton area in the late 1800s. The Chief was a highly respected leader of the papaschase Band and signed an adhesion to Treaty 6 in 1877. papastew translates to large woodpecker.

The new city ward, whose boundaries on its west and north sides are the North Saskatchewan River and Mill Creek Ravine on its east side includes former Papaschase land. When land was surveyed for the Papaschase Band in 1880 south of the river, they were given a 40-square-mile plot, too small to meet the needs of their 249 members.

The local Indian Agent then arbitrarily transferred people off the band list. Local settlers did not want the community too close and petitioned the federal government to eventually force the band into complete surrender.

Facing starvation, the breakup of their community, and pressure from local settlers, a small number of the remaining members eventually surrendered their land. Surviving members of the Papaschase Band are working to reclaim their community and land in the area. Learn about the Papaschase at https://papaschase.ca/

Earth day event a spring fundraiser for river valley legal challenge
An online spring fundraiser to support a legal challenge of City Council's decision to rezone 99 acres of river valley land for an industrial solar farm will be held April 22 at 7pm. The event, titled Night Out on the North Saskatchewan: Earth Day Edition, is hosted by the Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition.

According to ERVCC, the court date for their legal challenge has been set for November 19. The courts are very behind due to Covid. The event includes 4 speakers and a cameo by their lawyers. The event is free, but they are accepting donations from anyone who can give and will also have a silent auction.

The speakers are U of A environmental law professor Cameron Jefferies, Lady Flower Garden founder Kelly Mills, Cree phenology teacher Etienna Moostoos-Lafferty, and northern Alberta artist Peter von Tiesenhausen.

The event is free, but donations will be gratefully accepted. Register at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/night-out-on-the-north-saskatchewan-earth-day-edition-tickets-146519735473?fbclid=IwAR0aecOX76mVuL9lY3cKRAiu5UqierQSNRsYq2Mk3I9BJZ9kZMBkQhcuzPE

Historic photo taken from Dowler’s Hill, which is south of the river between Cloverdale and Forest Heights.

Guest User

April 1, 2021

NSRVCS Newsletter - April 1, 2021

Guest User

April 1, 2021

Help designate the North Saskatchewan River a Canadian Heritage River
Each year, Albertans and visitors enjoy the extraordinary recreational, cultural, and natural features of North Saskatchewan River. A designation as a Canadian Heritage River tells Canadians and the world that the river matters.

Smoky Lake County in collaboration with other municipalities and Indigenous groups along the river are seeking to extend the honorary designation across Alberta. Our society has also provided a letter of support for the designation. The designation forms a platform to promote celebration, conservation, and exploration of the river.

On April 7 at 7pm, via a free webinar, you are invited to join Alberta Senator Paula Simons, author Billie Milholland, and others for a conversation about the North Saskatchewan River. Register at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/north-saskatchewan-heritage-river-tickets-142933527027?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch

A survey is being conducted to gather information on the recreational, cultural, and natural heritage of the North Saskatchewan River. The survey is open now until April 31 at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NorthSaskRiverSurvey

Learn more about Canadian Heritage Rivers System, Canada’s National River Conservation Program, at https://chrs.ca/en

Planning begins for new river valley provincial park
The Big Island area of southwest Edmonton is moving closer to becoming a provincial park. The Alberta government has given the City of Edmonton and Enoch Cree Nation $300,000 to begin planning a provincial park on the 68-hectare parcel of Crown land along the North Saskatchewan River valley.

The money, $189,000 for Enoch Cree Nation and $109,000 for the city, will go toward ecological assessments and a traditional land-use study. Alberta Environment and Parks projects the park will be operational by 2023.

The ecological assessments and land use study will be completed this year. Public consultations are slated for 2022. More at https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-kickstarts-planning-for-big-island-a-new-provincial-park-in-edmonton-s-river-valley-1.5966321

Survey the beginning of province’s coal policy engagement
The Government of Alberta has launched what it calls a comprehensive public engagement to inform the development of a modern coal policy. All Albertans will have an opportunity to contribute to how the province will manage coal development.

The province has also created a Coal Policy Committee which is responsible for designing and conducting the engagement. The committee will provide the Minister of Energy with a report that describes Albertans’ perspectives on coal development and provide recommendations about the province’s development of a modern coal policy. The committee will provide a final report to the minister by November 15.

Albertans are invited to share their thoughts in an initial survey. The survey is open until April 19 at https://www.alberta.ca/coal-policy-engagement.aspx