Bringing science to the conversation.
Nose Creek Watershed Partnership
Recently we presented to the Nose Creek Watershed Partnership to discuss where there may be synergies with our organizations.
Our Call For Increased Setbacks
Science backs up our recommendation to municipalities to increase the length of Nose Creek setbacks. This was something we addressed with the members of the Watershed Partnership. We found out that the 100ft (30m) setback that most municipalities use for Nose Creek was not the original recommendation. The original recommendation was an "Additive Setback" formula that considered more factors, including floodplain and meanders width for a given area. This was a challenging recommendation for some stakeholders involved, which is why we ended up with the 30m (100ft) Setback for Nose Creek.
The 30m (100ft) Setback is a broad-stroke "One-Size-Fits-Most" guideline, and while it is better than the Province's 6m setback guideline, it is not a foolproof setback for the "100-year flood" scenario. This is why Airdrie designed their newer communities along the Nose Creek using more of the "Additive Setback" model for their Williamstown Nose Creek Preserve. Going above and beyond the 30m (100ft) setback agreed upon by the stakeholders in the partnership.
Takeaways from this Meeting:
We municipalities to take Airdrie's Williamstown example to evaluate all factors when creating setbacks for Nose Creek to ensure it is suitable for a given area.
Our Provincial Government’s current setback requirements aren’t meeting the current Science. They need to re-evaluate their setback requirements.
Experts (trained in the field of setbacks) should be included (in the field) when surveying developments near Nose Creek.
The Nose Creek Watership Partnership Plan must be consulted at a minimum when developing in and around Nose Creek.
Meeting with Calgary Ward 2 Team
We met with Jennifer Wyness and the Ward 2 team this week to discuss our advocacy. As a Ward that connects to the Nose Creek Watershed through West Nose Creek, she was keenly interested in the connectivity a potential Provincial or Urban National Park would bring to Calgary's Northern Communities.
If we establish these areas as an Urban National Park - West Nose Creek up to Ward 2 can be added if the Country Hills Golf Course was to "not be a Golf Course anymore" (Not expected, but it happens). In fact, there is a Sandstone Quarry Heritage Site on Golf Course Land where the original sandstone for the Old City Hall came from.
Establishing proper pathways and setbacks along West Nose Creek would ultimately give Ward 2 residents access to this Park. Also, the Rotary/Mattamy Greenway would allow Ward 2 and Ward 5 residents to connect to this park. The same goes for Wards 4 and 9 in the South using the "Nose Creek Pathway."
Takeaways from this meeting:
We are creating a stir and bubbling up the potential park concept for Nose Creek among people in the City of Calgary on the City Council and in Administration.
Getting more Nose Creek Champions in the Province or Federal Government would also help push our cause forward. What are the key metrics for that level of government to unlock funding for a project of this magnitude?
These are areas we are looking at for a potential Park from Calgary to Airdrie.
Halloween Fun
Thanks to all those who stopped by Save Nose Creek's Andrew Yule's house to talk about Nose Creek and to add to his Nose Creek Glacial Erratic Costume.
What's Next
We are waiting to hear whether or not we can present to the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board. Nothing has been confirmed, but fingers crossed we can present before the end of the year.
How Can You Help?
Forward this post to your friends and family in Airdrie, Rockyview County and North Central Calgary.
Sign up for future updates.
We've been suggested that we should start a foundation. We are looking for a volunteer who is passionate about setting up a "Preservation Society" structure like this with us.
If you live near Nose Creek and are interested in becoming a Save Nose Creek Champion (Door-Knocking, Events, etc.) for your Nose Creek Adjacent Community, please let us know. (We realize not everyone is on social media, and want everyone to know what we are doing.)
Write your Representatives and tell them you want a Provincial or Urban National Park from Calgary to Airdrie along the Nose Creek Valley.
Also, if you want to read our Official Park Proposal and provide more feedback, we would love to hear it!
