Members of the Cochrane Environmental Action Committee (CEAC) voiced their concern over what they believe has been a squandering of wetlands in the area due to increasing development.
CEAC chair Tim Giese along with representatives Judy Stewart and Sharon MacDonald spoke to councillors June 10 as part of the CEAC Wetlands Subcommittee, urging council to put in place a bylaw that would protect wetlands of all classifications in Cochrane.
“It’s your responsibility to ensure the protection of urban wetlands,” Stewart urged council members, saying that wetland ownership lies with the province, but it is the responsibility of landowners to make sure they are not damaged. “This infrastructure is natural, and if we ever tried to recreate it, we couldn’t.”
Wetlands are identified from class one to seven; the lower classes, one to three, being temporary or seasonal wetlands and not protected under any current town policy, while classes four and above are considered environmental reserve (ER).
Presently in Cochrane, there are 204 wetlands; 20 per cent being Class 1; 25 per cent Class 2; 22 per cent Class 3; 12 per cent Class 4; 12 per cent Class 5; and a lone Class 6, found north of Sunset Ridge.
Town administration is developing a new policy to address Cochrane’s wetlands and to harmonize the potential bylaw with ongoing demand for development by maintaining no net loss of wetlands, apply ER to Class 4 wetlands and above (Class 3 as required) and set a process for development applications and the review of those applications.
One of the main concerns for CEAC with the loss of wetlands is the issue of flooding.
Stewart pointed to the wetland located next to the Cochrane Toyota dealership, saying the area is overflowing because the water has nowhere else to go.
Stewart said the Fireside wetland on the opposite side of Highway 22 is also holding too much water and as a result has seen the production of algae and sediment.
Stewart addressed a 2013 study done by the town to assess area wetlands, which revealed that there has been a loss of wetlands in Cochrane over the years.
Wetlands have many environmental functions, including water storage, groundwater recharge and providing a habitat for wildlife.
Mayor Truper McBride has said the preservation of Cochrane’s wetlands is not simply about ecology, but also maintaining a social significance, and should be incorporated into the town’s Open Spaces Master Plan.
Speaking to man-made wetlands, Stewart said they do work in the same manner the natural variety do, but can also be costly, as they need to be cleaned and maintained.
The new wetlands policy is expected to be presented to council this summer. The Cochrane Environment Committee has provided input into the policy; a member of CEAC sits on the committee.
