GENERAL INFORMATION
Site Name: Big Lake Natural Area
Stewards Names: Big Lake Environment Support Society
Email:
Date: Aug. 8, 2002
Inspection Number: 2
Hours: reported separately
Phone: 458-5617
Change In Site Conditions: No

DISTURBANCES
- Vegetation/Animals:
- Soil:
- Vandalism:
- New Trails/Cleared Lines: Pipelines/Wellsites,
- Comments On Disturbances: This is the first inspection of the eastern portion of Big Lake Natural Area that can be walked to (excludes lake proper except at the BLESS platform). The pipelines and well sites are not new to BNLA. They have a number of well established roads and many poorly identifiable tracks.

USES
- Recreation: Bird Watching, Fishing,
- Other: Oil wells
- Comments On Uses: There are several oil wells on the BLNA these are still in operation. They have well defined access roads to them. The best access road to the terrestrial eastern portion is from the Dynamic Oil and Gas road that comes off of Meadowview Dr. Access is possible from the Ducks Unlimited/Rotary road to the BLNA, but the tracks are very bumpy, a truck is needed if driving. Considerable hunting activity has been noted on the DU/Rotary road by Bob Lane, it is not known if this hunting activity extends into the BLNA.

BIOLOGICAL NOTES (optional)
The eastern portion of BLNA contains the Sturgeon River where it enters Big Lake. We got down to the river about 400m above the lake. There was no flow, the river was simply several stagnant ponds. The river at Meadowview Dr., Sandpiper Golf Course lies on one side of the river, appears to have lots of water in it. This should be followed up on.

ACTION RECOMMENDED
- Reclamation:
- Materials & Supplies: Signs, Posts

SUMMARY
- Change In Condition Since Last Inspecton: No Change
- Summary Comments:
We gained access to the area from the Ducks Unlimited/Rotary road over a bumpy set of tracks. It would have been a long and tiring hike. On exit we used the Dynamic Oil and Gas road and found the gate was not locked, but only because there was an oil crew with a rig in the area. Dynamic Oil and Gas should be approached for BLESS to gain access to the BLNA via their gated road. The water level in the Sturgeon River was very low, although immediately upstream it appeared to be adequate. This should be checked out shortly to determine the cause of this discrepancy. The riparian vegetation along the river was lush and thick, the grasses were still green and fairly heavy, although the reeds and bullrushes were quite dry underfoot. Many small frogs were resident in the river. A few noxious weeds were spotted (scentless chamomile mostly) on the natural area. These should be pulled up. Signs should be posted at the roads leading to the Natural Area, and possibly along the Sturgeon River where it forms the border to this part of the BLNA. Big Lake proper has not be inspected yet, from the BLESS platform we could see that heavy growths of algae cover a good part of the lake near the outlet (ducks were resting on top of it), with only about 15 cm of water in the visible part of the lake. A large number of "yellowlegs" shore birds were now active around the platform.

ATTACHMENT TO INSPECTION REPORT

As Steward of the Big Lake Natural Area, we have been charged with drawing to your attention issues that we feel are a threat or a potential threat to the integrity of that area. This will be our first report and we trust it will be received as a constructive set of comments on such issues.

Our Mandate

BLESS interprets its role to include issues that can be located outside the Natural Area but which clearly offer direct threats to the lake. This is the only reasonable approach, in our view. All of the maps accompanying the stewardship binder provided to us are marked:

"Due to the fluctuating water levels of the lake, the boundaries of the Natural Area may change." This suggests that the flood plain of the lake is a potential part of the Natural Area and we would like confirmation or clarification of that point as quickly as possible.

Process

We have been asked to report semi-annually and these will be summary reports. Naturally, we shall report very quickly those issues we feel might deserve prompt attention. Individuals and other organizations have approached us regarding our role and our procedure will be to convey those issues they bring to us that we verify as being within our mandate.

Much of what we deal with is the responsibility of Alberta Environment (AE) and we trust that you will be forwarding items to them appropriately. Below*, we include a request for the opposite flow of information.

We will anticipate receiving responses to all of our concerns.

Issues

St. Albert West Bypass highway (has had several titles). - This proposed highway route would pass some 300 metres to the east of Big Lake, through an area that we feel offers the best access to the natural history benefits of Big Lake. Furthermore, the route would be close to a pool of toxic leachate residual from past landfill operations. BLESS has actively opposed this route for about 11 years.

St. Albert has decided to proceed with this route and is presently examining the environmental implications; having asked for BLESS's involvement. Earlier environmental studies are numerous and go as far back as the EMRPC Big Lake Plan.

The highway route does not encroach the Natural Area and direct environmental effects are unlikely to directly affect the designated Natural Area, unless the flood plain is accepted as a potential part of the Natural Area. The road could pass through about 2 km of the Big Lake flood plain (which was not included in the original designation of the NA).

The highway would greatly reduce the value of the Big Lake Natural Area as an opportunity for environmental recreation and education.

We know that if this project proceeds, applications for approvals could trigger either or both provincial and federal EIA processes. BLESS has already informed agencies of our interest in being heard when that happens. When BLESS was first formed, the Deputy Minister of Alberta Environment told us that we would be consulted regarding any EIA of that highway. This was reconfirmed in 1994 with Peter Melnychuk, who was then Deputy Minister.

We have no idea what influence your department can bring to this discussion but we would be remiss not to mention it to you. In the meanwhile, we will continue working with St. Albert and its consultants.

Water Allocations - The quality and quantity of Big Lake's waters are of concern to us. Here is what BLESS is doing at present:

Water level measurements - BLESS provides numerous observations from a staff installed by Alberta at the outflow of the Sturgeon River from Big Lake. Prior to this, just 4 measurements were made annually. There is the possibility that BLESS could monitor additional gauges in the Sturgeon River basin and we ask that you formally convey this offer to the appropriate official. We recognize that additional data will improve the ability of provincial water managers to make decisions regarding water allocations.

Water allocation approvals - we have two distinct concerns: some general and some specific.

General concerns - it appears to us that staff shortages are reducing the ability of AE to make informed decisions about allocations. Officials are not aware of water diversions that have not been subject to applications for approval. BLESS will pass along any instances that come to our attention.

BLESS cannot always be sure that we know of applications. AE has a contact list of government offices that are informed of applications. We ask that your office be added to that list from all the regional offices that deal with applications within the Sturgeon River drainage basin and that you forward those to us. We note that this is public information and it is information required by us as Steward, inasmuch as the water budget of the entire basin has a bearing on Big Lake.

It is our opinion that allocation decisions cannot now be made on the basis of precise guidelines because the basic information is lacking. We also note that the province and some municipalities are now contributing to a study that will improve that information. Therefore, we ask that the province implement a moratorium on all new water use applications (both surface and applicable ground water) until guidelines are developed. In dry periods, Big Lake becomes very low and this has negative impact on many aspects of the ecosystem.

We note that applications have appeared for water uses that have been in place for some time, without approvals. There is a sense that projects cannot now be shut down for this reason. We see a danger in this becoming an accepted procedure. We ask that the province implement a zero tolerance of such instances, making such approvals only after extracting penalties and only making approvals where the situation warrants such.

Specific Concerns

NOVO Development - the Wagner Society has brought to our attention a permit given to this company to withdraw about 225,000 cubic metres of water at a location that might have an impact on the Wagner Natural Area. This is a large quantity (the total permits for Big Lake amount to about 335,000). We understand that the project had failed to obtain development approval from the municipality but was granted the AE water permit. Also, we note that the application to AE was given a waiver regarding the usual need to publish notice of such applications. This is surprising, given the size of the withdrawal and its proximity to the Natural Area.

We ask that this project be referred to AE for review. We have already done that but it would not hurt to reinforce it.

Southwestward Land Development Ltd. - On July 6, 1993 BLESS filed a letter with AE regarding an application from this company to divert about 110,000 cubic metres annually for a proposed golf course near Big Lake. Later, we noted that the water diversion was in place, before a permit had been issued. AE shared our concern. In about 1998, the permit was issued without any response to our questions. The permit is showing as being subject to review and we have asked AE if our questions can be re-visited.

Activities on the Natural Area - BLESS has referred to Community Development an instance where a neighbour apparently laid a line within the Natural Area for pumping water from Atim Creek. This is being followed up by the government.

However, BLESS would like to know (1) the process that should be used to gain permission for such events, and (2) how this process is made known to neighbours and others.

Access and Signage - BLESS has not yet been able to meet with officials that can help us with confirming the procedures for gaining access to the Natural Area lands. Most of the land area is not accessible from roads and we are concerned about trespassing on lands that need to be crossed to reach Natural Area land. Naturally, we will need access to be able to install signage.