Flood mitigation: Springbank reservoir selected to protect Calgary

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, standing next to Alberta Environment Minister Shannon Phillips, speaks to reporters about the planned Springbank reservoir flood-mitigation project. (Evelyne Asselin/CBC)

Flood mitigation: Springbank reservoir selected to protect Calgary

Environment Minister Shannon Phillips joined Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi to announce the project

via CBC News, October 26, 2015

Alberta will build a major reservoir in Springbank to protect Calgary from Elbow River flooding, the province has announced.

The move is sure to upset area landowners opposed to the project, but was welcomed by Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi.

Read more here:  http://www.cbc.ca/…/flood-diversion-plan-phillips-nenshi-1.…

#Fight For Your Parks

Yesterday, October 14, was the CPAWS day of action to stop commercial projects in Banff and Jasper National Parks. Once they're developed there is no going back.

A group of individuals, scientists, business owners, First Nations, environmental organizations & former parks staff have rallied. To learn how you can still take part visit http://www.fightforyourparks.ca/


National park supporters hold day of action against commercialization
 
by Colette Derworiz, Calgary Herald, October 14, 2015

BANFF — A national day of action in the Fight for Your Parks campaign featured a rally of a couple dozen supporters in Banff on Wednesday.

The campaign, which was launched in Banff about a month ago, is designed to get Canadians to stand up against commercialization in Canada’s national parks — particularly in Banff and Jasper.

“Today marks a day of action where people across Canada can stand up and say enough is enough,” said Anne-Marie Syslak, executive director for the southern Alberta chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.

It came after a report from CPAWS suggested national parks are under siege with the approvals of developments such as Maligne Lake in Jasper and the future expansion of the Lake Louise ski area in Banff.

Read more here: http://calgaryherald.com/…/national-park-supporters-hold-da…

‪#‎fightforyourpaks‬ | ‪#‎bowriver‬ | ‪#‎flyfishing‬ | ‪#‎yyc‬ | CPAWS Southern Alberta |

IT’S MENTAL presented by AMELIA CURRAN (Calgary) - Oct 14

IT’S MENTAL presented by AMELIA CURRAN

**Our grandson Morgan Paul ( Artist: Morgan M. Paul ) will be part of this event, coming up tomorrow! **

"...Morgan M. Paul’s autobiography Break From Reality is filled with short stories based on traumatic events leading up to his hospitalization. The result is a gripping, enlightening dramatic novel filled with bizarre and dangerous tales. His second book, A Lunatic’s Guide to Art, is a series of lists for overcoming mental illness, artist struggles and how to dominate your objectives. Morgan will also be creating a painting during the event, inspired by the live music. The painting will be auctioned off at the end of the evening..."

More information and ticket purchase here: 
https://www.facebook.com/events/1494316717560118/

‪#‎mentalhealth‬ |‪#‎stopthestigma‬ | Bow River Shuttles | Amelia Curran | Canadian Mental Health Association - Calgary Region |Kim Magotiaux | Dione Magotiaux |

Province investigates allegations of environmental damage to Alberta’s Oldman River

A backhoe works in the Oldman River near Cowley, AB. Taken on Sept. 21.
Chris Davis / Pincher Creek Voice

Work in Oldman River prompts water concerns

by Erika Stark, Calgary Herald, October 2, 2015

Alberta Environment is investigating the extent of damage to the Oldman River after residents complained a local landowner was doing unapproved work in the river.

The landowner had approval under the Water Act to clean out a small withdrawal channel for irrigation upstream of the dam, but on Sept. 21, the department received a complaint about the work.

“We conducted a site inspection that day and determined that work had been conducted outside the scope of the approval,” said Envrionment spokesman Jamie Hanlon. “We ordered that all work cease at that moment.”

According to one resident, the landowner “tore up the entire river,” building a dike and changing the water’s path.

“The impact in the area where it is cannot be fixed,” said Dr. Alan Garbutt, who lives downstream. “The impact, down the stream, if there were spawning fish down there, can’t be fixed.

Read balance of Calgary Herald story here: http://calgaryherald.com/…/work-in-oldman-river-prompts-wat…

Read Global News story at this link: http://bit.ly/1L0OBqM

It's a beautiful day for a mental health checkup

Comedian Robin Williams suffered from depression and eventually committed suicide. TIZIANA FABI / AFP/Getty Images

1 in 5 fly fishers...

It's a beautiful day for a mental health checkup

by Karin Klassen, Calgary Herald, Oct 05, 2015

Today, on this most beautiful Alberta fall day, someone will go home to find the person they most love in this world, dead of something self-inflicted.

This devastating scene will play out close to 500 times this year in this province alone, maybe more with the bad economy. That’s the highest suicide rate in the country.

Anyone can join this club, and they do — across genders, cultures and ages — but the victim will probably be male, because they’re almost four times as likely to call it a day on their life, and with probably just 40 to 60 years spent on this Earth. Teenagers are also tragically welcome; it’s the most likely way they’ll leave their families behind to keep their rooms just as they were left, the day they “left.” In obituary terms, this is known as “died suddenly.”

As it turns out, people who feel desperate, do desperate things.

Today is National Depression Screening Day, and the Calgary Counselling Centre has provided an online link for you to take a free, anonymous screening test for this mental health issue that more than half a million people are treated for in Alberta every year.

Read more here: http://bit.ly/1GvuRrb

‪#‎NationalDepressionScreeningDay‬ | ‪#‎yyc‬ | Canadian Mental Health Association - Calgary Region

From CPAWS: Only 1 day left

CPAWS Southern Alberta reminds us: "Only 1 day left to have your say about the Castle Wilderness area. Provide comments to the minister here http://bit.ly/1FOv1PA"

We Just Don't Get It!

The following was posted by Country Pleasures Fly Fishing. Given the subject, we took the liberty of including a photo from Keepemwet along with the the CP logo. We hope that neither will mind. :-) 

We Just Don't Get It!

This has been getting under my skin since early in July this summer..... with water levels running at about half of normal for most of the late spring and summer, and the resultant high water temperatures, why do we continue to see excessive handling of fish on the Bow River before they are released?

Since the temporary closure, water temperatures have been continuing to drop below critical and have been as low as 12 Celsius recently. But before the closure, when temps were approaching, and exceeding 20 Celsius there are guides/outfitters and recreational anglers posting all sorts of photos with fish held out of the water. What the heck are we doing? Do we want a healthy fishery in the future? Is it really that important to have that type of photo of a fish we have caught?

Given the tribulations that the Trout inhabiting the Bow River have endured of late, even with cooler water, shouldn't we be as careful as possible to quickly play, keep in the water, and then release these fish as quickly as we can?

I pretty much reached the tipping point on this on Tuesday of this week. While floating the Policeman's to Mac section we were overtaken by a guide/outfitter/shop owner who I thought was a proponent of proper fish handling and conservation practices. You would certainly think so by the sentiment expressed by this individual on multiple avenues of social media.

On two separate occasions, before moving on ahead and out of sight, I saw this individual land fish, pull over to the bank, and proceed to photograph the fish in different poses and angles for several minutes. The second of these instances resulted in the fish being photographed for 14 minutes after it had been landed until it was released.

What the hell are we doing? As a group involved in this sport have we become so obsessed with our 15 minutes of social media fame that the fish that give us this enjoyment have to suffer the consequences?
As shop owners, shop employees, and guides, should we not take the initiative and knock this off?

Don't get me wrong, photographing the beauty of a fish is no different than photographing beautiful scenery, it's great to be able to go back and appreciate something special. But can't we do it quickly?, and photograph these fish while they remain in the water?

‪#‎KeepEmWet‬ | ‪#‎BowRiver‬ | ‪#‎flyfishing‬ | ‪#‎yyc‬

Alberta Conservation Groups Launch Court Action Against Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Westslope Cutthroat Trout hold position in spawning habitat, 8 July 2012. These fish are part of a pure population introduced into Rawson Lake, Kananaskis Country. (Photo credit D. Mayhood)

Alberta Conservation Groups Launch Court Action Against Fisheries and Oceans Canada

News release, Sept 22, 2015

The Alberta Wilderness Association and Timberwolf Wilderness Society are taking the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada to Federal Court over her failure to issue a critical habitat order for Alberta’s threatened population of westslope cutthroat trout. The order is required by law under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).

“The Minister’s critical habitat order, or an equivalent protection statement, has not been issued within the statutory time limit, and is now almost one year overdue,” says Brittany Verbeek, AWA Conservation Specialist.

The Environmental Law Clinic, operating in the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Law, filed the application with the Federal Court of Canada on Friday, 18 September 2015.

Read more here: http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/456864/afbd74ca31/ARCHIVE

H/T to Oldman River Chapter- Trout Unlimited Canada

Today is ‪#‎RediscoverNature‬ Day!

Today is ‪#‎RediscoverNature‬ Day! Join families across Canada as we explore this beautiful country, whether it's in our own backyard or one of our many Parks! http://takemeoutside.ca/rediscovernature/

Commercial development causing a 'crisis' in national parks, says CPAWS

Commercial development causing a 'crisis' in national parks, says CPAWS

by Colette Derworiz, Calgary Herald, September 10, 2015

A new report (http://cpaws.org/…/cpaws-special-report-on-commercial-devel…) suggests there’s a crisis in Canada’s national parks, calling on Canadians to stand up against commercial developments such as an expansion plan at Lake Louise ski area in Banff and the proposed Maligne Lake resort in Jasper.

The report by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society suggests national parks are under a growing threat.

“Canada’s national parks are part of the heart and soul of this country,” said Alison Woodley, national director of the CPAWS parks program. “They are our natural treasures and they belong to each and every one of us as Canadians, but private commercial development is putting our most special protected areas at risk.

“There’s a crisis in our national parks.”

Read more here: http://calgaryherald.com/…/commercial-development-causing-c…

‪#‎bowriver‬ | ‪#‎flyfishing‬ | ‪#‎yyc‬ | CPAWS Southern Alberta | CPAWS

Morning paddle on the Bow River. See you at the #GlobeDebate #yyc

Morning paddle on the Bow River. See you at the Globe debate tonight!
Posted by Justin Trudeau on Thursday, September 17, 2015

 Nice to see Justin Trudeau out on our "home waters"! 

Elizabeth May will be heard

Elizabeth May will be heard. Tomorrow during The Globe and Mail debate, check out Twitter for live-tweeting and real-time video responses.

twitter.com/CanadianGreens
https://twitter.com/elizabethmay
http://goo.gl/tIwsGz

Why You Should Watch the Sep. 17 Leaders' Debate

Fly fishers who are interested in The Globe and Mail Leaders' Debate on Thursday evening Sept 17 (6:00 pm Calgary time) can watch it by checking out one of the links below.

Elizabeth May was shut out of this debate. Instead she’s planning on crashing the party – digitally. See the next post.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/…/introduci…/article25806782/

https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGlobeandMail
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbnMz7tsXjo
http://www.cpac.ca/en/vote2015/

‪#‎cdnpoli‬ | ‪#‎elxn42‬ | ‪#‎elxn2015‬ | ‪#‎yyc‬ | ‪#‎flyfishing‬

Green Party of Canada - Parti vert du Canada | Canada’s NDP / Le NPD du Canada | Liberal Party of Canada | Parti libéral du Canada | Conservative Party of Canada - Parti conservateur du Canada

Bow River Basin Council (BRBC) - Quarterly Educational Forum - Sept 09, 2015

click on poster for larger image

Bow River Basin Council (BRBC) - Quarterly Educational Forum - Sept 09, 2015 

Last week, the BRBC held another very interesting education forum. 

Speakers on the agenda included Kevin Van Tigham, John Pemeroy and Judy Stewart. 

 http://brbc.ab.ca/ | #bowriver |#flyfishing |#yyc

Following Kevin Van Tigham's retirement as superintendent of Banff National Park, the conservationist, fly fisherman, and author wrote the book he had been waiting his entire life to write — Heart Waters: Sources of the Bow River. http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/timely-book-takes-readers-on-a-journey-to-the-heart-of-the-bow-river

Tickets are now available for his official book launch on November 19, 2015. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/heart-waters-sources-of-the-bow-river-tickets-18442459894

Professor John Pomeroy; Canada Research Chair in Water Resources & Climate Change, Director, Centre for Hydrology, University of Saskatchewan.

Professor Pomeroy's name is often in the news these days, especially it seems, since our 2013 flood. . For example, he's quoted in this recent Calgary Herald article "Water expert astonished by proposed location of CalgaryNEXT along Bow River" http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/water-expert-astonished-by-location-of-calgarynext-along-bow-river

Judy Stewart, Cochrane Environmental Action Committee. Judy is a passionate speaker on water issues, with a particular love for wetlands. Amongst other things, she notes that wetlands continue to dissapear at an alarming rate. For example, 90% of wetlands in Calgary have been destroyed.

Trout Steam At Risk

Damage caused by off-highway vehicles in Fall Creek, an important bull trout fish spawning creek. Bull trout need clear and cold water to successfully reproduce. WAYNE CROCKER/ Alberta Environment and Parks

Trout Steam At Risk

by Mary-Ann Barr, Red Deer Advocate, August 22, 2015

— "You don't know what you've got till it's gone, they paved paradise and put up a parking lot." - Joni Mitchell, Big Yellow Taxi

Fall Creek, an important spawning water for the beleaguered bull trout — a protected native fish and Alberta’s provincial fish — is being damaged by people illegally driving their off-highway vehicles into it.
As well, the surrounding area is suffering from increased OHV traffic, enabled when logging in the area southwest of Rocky Mountain House started a few years ago.

Why should anyone care about the bull trout? After all, it’s just a fish and there are other kinds of fish. And there’s lots of wilderness for all users.

Actually, it’s about caring for native species that are part of our living heritage in this beautiful province, and it’s about the big picture — protect and respect the environment, or lose it.

Read more here:  http://bit.ly/1KbTnhA


From CBC Calgary today:

"The bull trout is not only Alberta's provincial fish, it's classified as sensitive and threatened under legislation. Now an important spawning stream for the trout is being damaged by people driving off-highway vehicles.

We spoke with Wayne Crocker, the backcountry co-ordinator for Alberta Environment and Parks, on alberta@noon today."

(Photo of Fall Creek in Central Alberta: Wayne Crocker)


Bow River Shuttles writes: The radio interview mentioned above will not be available on 'Past Episodes' for a few days. In the meantime, the article above is on the same subject, including comments from Wayne Crocker.


H/T to @Jordan Udo Pinkster (see blog 'Fishing Alberta with Pike Pinkster') who wrote: "I'm very pleased that the plight of Alberta's native trout species is finally getting some of the air time that it deserves. Scenes like this are all too common in our back country. It's time that we do something to address those that would seek to destroy some of Alberta's most sensitive habitats."

What Will Your Candidate Do to Support Mental Health?

What Will Your Candidate Do to Support Mental Health?

by Marvin Ross, HuffingtonPost.ca, Aug 18, 2015

""When the health system fails to treat mental illness, the justice system punishes the symptoms". Canadians should be pressing the parties to take a leadership position on the healthcare file and one aspect of that file that needs the most attention is mental illness." - Mood Disorders Society of Canada

Read more here:  http://huff.to/1ObMGCu

#‎mentalillness‬ | ‪#‎Canada‬ | ‪#‎health‬ | ‪#‎elxn2015‬ | ‪#‎canpoli‬

Alberta government bans logging, mining, and oil and gas expansion in Castle area

Haig Pass, coming out of the Flathead and looking into the upper West Castle — the heart of the area protected by the province Friday. For the Calgary Herald

Alberta government bans logging, mining, and oil and gas expansion in Castle area

 by Colette Derworiz, Calgary Herald, Sept 04, 2015

CROWSNEST PASS — The province is protecting the entire Castle area in southern Alberta as two parks, banning forestry and mining and and turning its focus to recreation and tourism in the area.

Read more here:  http://calgaryherald.com/…/alberta-moves-to-protect-vast-ca…

Image, courtesy Calgary Herald

Trout Unlimited Canada writes: 

"Today, Alberta Environment and Parks’ Minister Shannon Phillips announced the protection of the Castle Special Management Area in southwestern Alberta. This unique and special part of the province will be protected by expanding an existing Wildland Provincial Park and creating a new Provincial Park. The Castle is a special place for many Albertans. It provides important fish and wildlife habitat and forms a big part of the headwaters of the Oldman River Basin. The additional 1,040 square kilometers of Provincial Park is a great step towards the protection of our water resources. The park designation means there will be no more commercial logging within the area. There will also be a prohibition on surface rights access for new oil and gas leases. The park designation also allows the provincial government to create new campgrounds within the area. The province is looking to reduce the industrial impacts on this landscape and develop recreational and tourism opportunities.

Please visit the Newsroom on our site for additional links including how you can provide feedback."

CPAWS Southern Alberta | Crowsnest Café & Fly Shop | Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative | Alberta Wilderness Association| Castle-Crown Wilderness Coalition |