Urgent Elbow contamination /closure

[armchairlonghair]

Hi the stampede is planning to move Indian village to the east banks of the Elbow below scottsman's hill. This is just up stream of where the Elbow enters the bow. This redevelopment moves all of that infrastructure and more importantly horse corals directly onto the flood plain. Alberta Environment has done tests of this section of the river since the 90's. As I understand it the section upstream of the current stampede interface tests within limits. When the river turns the corner passes the current horse barns (which are at the top of the hill) the levels of Ecoli bacteria skyrockets. I have heard 2400 ppm. According to the gov. at those levels no one should swim or come into contact with this water, let alone to try to live in it. The poor river is decimated in this section. This is even before they redevelop the whole flood plain. They are supposed to move the existing barns to the other side of the road(not done yet??). This redevelopment would negate any gain that would eventually have.This stretch of the river is a major piece in the puzzle. It is a very important Brown Trout spawning grounds. Even if you wanted to try to catch one of these poor trout the plan is also going to limit your access. The bike path will be moved to the base of the hill away from any river view. Fences will go up and this section will be closed to the public.They will then control both sides of the river, also a no no. Please go to the links read the info print the petition and send it to city council before june 6th. Drop off at Ramsay Community Centre or faxed to 403-255-4523 (no cover sheet please, fax page 1 only) before Midnight June 6. Not much time please spread the word. You could also show up on the 7th for the reading to show your opposition. thanks

Petition: http://www.ramsaycommunity.ab.ca/civ...20Petition.pdf fax # 403 255 4523

here is a link to everything in one site: http://www.ramsaycommunity.ab.ca/civic/Stampede.html


Bylaw 1P2007
Under Alberta Provincial floodway/flood plain/flood fringe area legislation (adopted by the City of Calgary and found in Part 10 of Bylaw 1P2007 as Section 19), evaluation of any proposed encroachments into the Elbow River environment would typically not be allowed. Section 19.1(2)(d) provides restrictions on alterations to floodways and riverbanks, which states:
“No alterations shall be made to a floodway and no structures including, but not limited to, rip-rap, berms, fences, walls, gates, patios, docks or decks shall be constructed on, in or under a floodway unless in the opinion of the Approving Authority there will be no obstruction to floodwaters and no detrimental effect on the hydrological system or water quality, including the natural interface of the riparian and aquatic habitats.”

[Nerdapres']

Gross, and that new kayak park will be just downstream of all that horse sh1t flowing into the river.

[WayneChristie]

Very sad that a 10 day long event can dictate their own rules, even if their plans are illegal. Money talks and in this case horse sh1t walks (OK floats)

[armchairlonghair]

here is an article appearing in the ffwd:

http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/ne...esidents-5781/


ok my #'s are off a bit but the problem is the same. After some asking around here is what I got.

some links don't seem to work but Here you go..............

The Stampede LOC2010-0037 is scheduled to go to Council on June 7, 2010. There is a convoluted history relating to the Stampede's application, LOC2010-0032. However the critical element of the current application, LOC2010-0037, is the location of 4 livestock corrals within and adjacent to the floodway on the east bank of the Elbow River.


Please note in the submission to the Calgary Planning Commission, April 15, 2010, regarding LOC2010-0037, the following definitions are found under Section C., Page 6:

For the purposes of this Bylaw:

1. Indian Village means an area and buildings set aside to celebrate the cultural heritage of First Nations, including but not limited to teepees, displays of crafts or artifacts, permanent stages or other performance spaces, livestock accommodations, ancillary commercial uses, and storage facilities.


2) Livestock accommodation means either permanent or temporary indoor or outdoor facilities for the shelter or confinement of animals, including but not limited to barns, sheds, pens, runs and enclosures.

There are several problems with LOC2010-0037.

1) City of Calgary has a bylaw under Division 3: Floodway, Flood Fringe and Overland Flow, Sections 55 to 61 (pp 69-71) that restricts any kind of development within the floodway including fencing.


2) In addition to the statutory land use bylaws under 1P2007, it is important to understand that equine feces contain fecal coliforms that can contribute to serious illness and in some cases death.

Bacteria

Animal manure contains countless microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Since some of these microorganisms are pathogenic, direct consumption or recreational use of water containing these organisms can lead to a variety of illnesses and even death. In an effort to ensure that water is safe to drink, researchers and water managers use a variety of feces-related indicators. Two common measures of potential contamination of potable water by fecal matter are total coliform bacteria and fecal coliform bacteria.
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/16f0025x/4225574-eng.pdf <http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/16f0025x/4225574-eng.pdf> <http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/16f0025x/4225574-eng.pdf> <http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/16f0025x/4225574-eng.pdf>

The American Society of Agricultural Engineers have analyzed the production and characteristics of manure originating from agricultural livestock including horses at: http://www.manuremanagement.cornell....AEStandard.pdf <http://www.manuremanagement.cornell.edu/Docs/ASAEStandard.pdf> <http://www.manuremanagement.cornell.edu/Docs/ASAEStandard.pdf> <http://www.manuremanagement.cornell.edu/Docs/ASAEStandard.pdf>


Based on 1000 kg of live animal mass, a horse produces on a daily basis: 51 kg total manure (wet), 10kg urine, 490 colonies of total coliform, .092 colonies fecal coliform and 58 colonies of fecal streptococcus colonies

Please be reminded that the information above is for 1 horse. On the east bank of the Elbow River, LOC2010-0037 indicates the placement of 4 temporary and/or permanent corrals containing an unspecified number of horses as part of the Indian Village complex. In addition, the Stampede already operates a horse barn on the east bank of the Elbow River which does not include onsite filtration or treatment, especially when horses are outside (hotwalking).

3) Surface Water Quality Guidelines for Use in Alberta (http://environment.gov.ab.ca/info/library/5713.pdf) <http://environment.gov.ab.ca/info/library/5713.pdf)> <http://environment.gov.ab.ca/info/library/5713.pdf)> <http://environment.gov.ab.ca/info/library/5713.pdf)> indicate the following parameters with respect to fecal coliforms and E.Coli found in surface waters.


Fecal Coliform

"In waters to be withdrawn for treatment and distribution as a potable supply or used for outdoor recreation other than direct contact, at least 90 percent of the samples (not less than five samples in any consecutive 30-day period) should have a total coliform count of less than 5000 organisms per 100 mL and a fecal coliform count of less than 1000 organisms per 100 mL." p. 23

"For direct contact recreation, the geometric mean of not less than five samples taken over not more than a 30-day period should not exceed 1000 organisms per 100 mL for total coliforms, nor 200 organisms per 100 mL for fecal coliforms, nor exceed these numbers in more than 20 percent of the samples examined during any month, nor exceed 2400 organisms per 100 mL total coliforms on any day (AEP 1993)."


E. Coli

"The geometric mean of at least five samples taken during a period not to exceed 30 days should not exceed 200 E. coli per 100 mL. Resampling should be performed when any sample exceeds 400 E.

coli per 100 mL. See Health and Welfare Canada (1992) for additional information (CCME 1999)" P. 23

The presence of fecal coliforms in the Lower Elbow River can be attributed to: feces of warm blooded animals including wildlife, domesticated livestock and dogs; storm water runoff; and/or cross contamination of sewer and storm water collection pipes. Attached is a chart indicating E. Coli in water samples collected at the 9 Ave SE bridge on a monthly basis from May 2003 to December 2009 (City of Calgary). E. Coli has exceeded 200 counts/100ml, 20x; and 400 counts/100ml, 14x; over this period. Until the source of E. Coli has been determined through DNA analysis the wisdom of placing more livestock in open corrals on the east bank of Elbow River is questionable and is most certainly a public health issue considering the heavy recreational use of the Elbow River over the summer months.

4) Another complicating factor is the precipitation over the period of July. The weather during the Stampede is well-known for intense but short bursts of rainfall. Locating livestock adjacent to the Elbow River will cause the manure to drain directly into the Elbow River adding to the fecal coliform levels during the periods of rainfall. Over the last 5 years Calgary has experienced heavy torrential downpours of 24mm or 1 inch of rain per day in 3 of those years during Stampede week.