I am more than a bit confused reading part of the City of St. Albert’s Strategic Plan 2015 section Outcome: Cultivate a Green Community, as reported in the St. Albert Gazette of April 4.
"Protect and maintain the Sturgeon River watershed. Strategies include: 1.3: Improve the water quality of the Sturgeon River through protection of the floodplain and riparian wetland natural areas, improve storm water management techniques and community education."
As far as we have been told, the bike skills park is planned within the floodplain of the Sturgeon, within city limits, and infilling of the floodplain will be required. That certainly does not protect our wetland natural areas. I was informed by the city, in writing, last fall that the bike skills park:
"Is within the 1:100 year floodplain and currently our land use bylaw does have a prohibition on bringing in "fill" within such an area. However council does not have to follow criteria and can change land use requirements."
Further, section 4.1: "Preserve and manage trees, parks and natural areas."
The Gazette reports on March 28 that an axe will fall on 100 St. Anne trees. Actually it is closer to 150 trees, including some of the official ancient coniferous trees of St. Albert. And, they "will be used as obstacles in the proposed Riel bike skills park." Those trees, according to our reputable local expert, are between 90 and 100 years old!
Is that what our Botanical Arts City calls "preservation and management of trees?" None of us will live long enough to see any of the proposed replacements grow to maturity. Do none of our councillors have anything to say about city administration’s plans? How sad!
Elke Blodgett, St. Albert
