Drainage and the environment
Published January 30, 2009
Though we are all responsible for the environment, overarching responsibility falls to the provincial and municipal governments. Though we impact the environment in many ways, one issue that has come boldly to the fore is the large scale excavation and infill of rural lands. When I say large scale I do not mean a dump truck load I mean hundreds and in some cases, thousands of loads, which have a dramatic impact upon the natural drainage courses. This activity also has a significant impact on the residents surrounding the sites. I am led to believe that in some cases landowners will accept countless loads of fill on their land from sources outside Strathcona County simply as a means of generating revenue for themselves while having no regard for the land or their neighbours. In some instances large berms are created as a result of significant amounts of fill on the land.
This results in a number of issues such as impact on the watercourses and damage to natural habitats. There is an importation of contaminated soil and there is no reclamation or restoration of lands. Berms are encroaching onto road right-of-ways and soil erosion leading to sedimentation of drainage ditches. Also, the volume of truck traffic affects the repose of the neighbourhood and causes significant damage to roads.
This activity is not widespread at this point but it is of great concern. As a result, Council has asked Administration to bring forward on a priority basis, an amendment to the Land Use Bylaw that will provide both the Planning Department and Transportation Department sufficient authority to take strong action to stop this environmental carnage. I am of the firm belief that not only do we have a legal responsibility to address this issue but also a moral one. We have to take care of our lands.
Having said that, please do not think if you put some top soil on your land to clean up your garden or fill in a small depression which will not affect drainage that the County is coming after you. This is not the case at all. Council and Administration are trying to stop the wholesale dumping of infill and the large-scale excavations that occur.
I am sure you will all agree there are times and situations where people shirk their environmental responsibility having no regard for the land. It is time for decisive action. Regrettably, no law we write can be retroactive to deal with those situations now in place. However, this bylaw amendment will provide Administration with the ability to control any further degradation of the lands where such activity has taken place.
Peter Wlodarczak
Councillor, Ward 4
780-464-8146
wlodarczak@strathcona.ab.ca.
Last updated: Tuesday, March 23, 2010
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