The debris leftover from fires on the lake while it is frozen is an environmental and safety concern.
During the Alberta Municipalities conference held in Red Deer in September, this was a subject the Town of Sylvan Lake focused on.
"The conference is a place where municipalities work together on issues like this. By bringing it up there, we can collectively push for rules that help all lakes in the province and work with other communities that have the same problem," Mayor Megan Hanson said.
The problem with the leftover debris from fires on the lake is something the Town has talked about with the province a few times, Hanson added.
"From their side, they don’t think the fires cause serious environmental problems. However, people in Sylvan Lake report a lot of complaints about the trash left behind. The province says concerns should be reported to 310-LAND, but with the resources they have, this option has not shown to be successful."
Each year the Alberta Underwater Council does a cleanup at the lake.
During the Underwater clean-up done at the end of September this year, 180 kg of garbage was collected.
"The cleanup only happens for a couple of hours each year in a small part of the lake but does highlight the need for change. We need better ways to prevent the problem instead of relying on volunteers to pick up the mess," Hanson said.
A solution to the problem could be as simple as having fires in raised pits or barrels that would keep the fire and the debris in one place.
"This would stop nails, garbage, and other dangerous things from being left on the ice. We hope people will take their fire pit home with them. If the fire is contained, it’s easier to clean up," Hanson said.
Leaving garbage behind from fires or other activities done on the lake while it is frozen is bad for the environment and dangerous for other lake users.
"Everyone needs to take responsibility and clean up everything they bring onto the lake. If people see problems, they should report them to 310-LAND," Hanson said.
It is also important to note that the Town can't enforce clean-ups on the lake as it is under provincial jurisdiction, she added.
"We are asking the province to make rules to improve this problem, but the best solution would be that everyone takes off what they bring on to the lake."
