A massive Lacombe County plan for developing land around Sylvan Lake “creates serious risk to the basin’s clean water and stable lake level,” charged Sylvan Lake Watershed Stewardship Society (SLWSS).
“The plan fails to assure Albertans that they will be able to enjoy clear clean water, stable water levels, and a healthy Sylvan Lake watershed ecosystem in the future,” the organization said in a press release.
Lacombe County’s Sylvan Lake Area Structure Plan, the subject of much debate at a public open house July 10, provides opportunities for development of up to 8,500 residential units housing about 21,500 people around the north end of the lake.
“The very best tools we have in science, risk management and economics must be applied rigourously to manage and respect this delicate resource treasure,” said Kim Schmitt, SLWSS president. “This is not only an environmental issue; it’s very much an economic and social issue. Currently, assessed value of property in the watershed is around $2 billion. If the lake turns sour these investments are at risk of being significantly deflated. This watershed is not ready for more engineering projects and provincial infrastructure spending. The need is for a timeout and some clear analysis, inclusive thinking and sound creative planning processes.”
The organization’s release stated, Prof. David Schindler, Canada’s top freshwater scientist, from the University of Alberta, warned Albertans in a past television interview that a shift from the current unique, desirable mesotrophic lake condition would be the regrettable consequence of further intense watershed development. He noted that 50 years of scientific research on lakes still has not delivered a solution for cleaning up a contaminated, eutrophied water body. High nutrient levels from urbanized land use add plant food for blue-green algae. Algae in a lake ecosystem causes stench, fish kills, swimmers itch, and a disgusting green sludge and slime on the shoreline.
“This is not the kind of outcome that Albertans are looking for,” said Schmitt.
The society also noted “this aggressive ASP avoids a critical municipal planning step by excluding the option of a joint Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) that would seek to balance competing social, economic and environmental values.”
Stating, “the need for urgency to adopt an ASP at this time is most doubtful,” the society said there are more than 230 lakeside lots available for sale presently with an additional 520+ RV lots approved in the first keyhole development on the lake.
“The proposed ASP may well represent the single largest land plan since Premier Ed Stelmach and Minister Ted Morton delivered the Land Use Framework and the supporting Alberta Land Stewardship Act (ALSA). Our provincial government leaders made a serious commitment to Albertans with the proclamation of ALSA in 2009. They promised to improve stewardship and conservation of our land and water resources for Albertans of the future,” the society stated.
“The SLWSS sees the Sylvan Lake watershed as the first big test of Alberta’s modern land use principles. This is where the policy rubber hits the watershed road. The current land use planning process at Sylvan Lake is unsatisfactory. An IDP should be presented for debate. The flawed plan that is on the table disregards the spirit and intent of Alberta’s new Land Use Framework and sidesteps the requirement to do so.”
The society also called for provincial leadership “in the special issue-specific case of Sylvan Lake”.
“Creation of a new vision requires a dedicated effort and co-operation by municipalities, counties, provincial and federal government ministries, and the watershed community. Protection of Sylvan Lake will require a ‘gold standard’ and a demonstrated respect for its environment.”
The society concluded, “The SLWSS rejects the Lacombe County ASP 2010 because it is deficient in these principles.”