Rural Review | April 2024

April 2024

CAMPGROUNDS

M.D. campground bookings open!

It’s time to book your #TakeItToTheLake adventure in the M.D. of Bonnyville!

Online reservations for all M.D.-owned campgrounds are open! Visit letscamp.ca to book your summer at the following M.D. parks:

Chickenhill Lake – 30-amp power

Cold Lake – 30-amp power and non-power tent sites

Crane Lake East and West – 30-amp power

Ethel Lake – non-power

French Bay on Cold Lake – non-power

Minnie Lake East and West – 30-amp power

Muriel Lake – 30-amp power, non-power, seasonal, and group sites available

Pelican Point on Moose Lake – non-power, group sites, and ATV-friendly sites available

Vezeau Beach on Moose Lake – full-service, seasonal sites available

Wolf Lake – non-power

You can find out more about our campgrounds at bit.ly/MDCamping.

Follow us on social media for weekly campsite availabilities throughout the camping season. @MDBonnyville

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Fire Permits

This year, fire permits are required from February 20 to October 31, 2024.

If you live or work in the Municipal District of Bonnyville No. 87 and wish to conduct any burning, you must first obtain a permit from a Fire Guardian. Should you live in the Alberta Forest Protection Area, you can get your permit from your Agriculture and Forestry Office. There is no charge for the permit.

The Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority requests that all open burning in the M.D. be registered by calling 780-8267446. When you register your burn during the non-permit season it will reduce the number of non-essential emergency responses made by the fire departments to investigate smoke.

When registering your burns please be prepared to provide the following information: name, legal land description or rural address, material being burnt, contact phone number, and expected completion date of the burn.

Fire Guardians

ZONE 1

ZONE 2

Ed Watrich 780-812-0766 Cell

- Portions of Ward 2 - West of Hoselaw

- Portions of Ward 3 - South of Twp. 62

Vic Kolody(*) 780-826-9543 Cell

- Portions of Wards 1, 2, and 4

- East side of Moose Lake

- West side of Muriel Lake

- Crown Land in the Moose Lake area

ZONE 3

Baz Churko 780-812-9173 Cell

- Portions of Ward 5 and South of Highway 28 to Hwy. 659 and Twp. 63, Rge. 2 in Ward 6

- Fort Kent and Ardmore

ZONE 4

Diane Jenkinson 780-573-6114 Cell

- Portions of Ward 6, except for Twp. 63, Rge. 2

(*) Indicates Divisions with Alberta Forest Protection Management Areas.

Agriculture and Forestry - Lac La Biche

780-623-5388

TIPS:

Never burn in windy or extremely dry conditions. Always keep a close eye on your fire and make sure your fire is completely extinguished before leaving the area.

Residents who conducted any burning activities over the winter are reminded to return to their burn sites to ensure the fire was completely extinguished. Winter fires that were not properly put out can often smolder underground for months and reignite in the spring when conditions are right.

Land Use Bylaw Review & Update

The Municipal District of Bonnyville is a growing and evolving municipality. Citizens’ expectations of the municipality, its Administration, and the various policies and regulations that enable growth are becoming more sophisticated. The Land Use Bylaw (LUB) is a quintessential piece of legislation for residents and business community. It directly affects residents and local businesses and their day-to-day life and operations in the municipality.

The LUB assigns land use districts (zoning) to every parcel of land within the municipality. The LUB guides the use and development of land and buildings in accordance with the policy direction outlined in Intermunicipal Development Plans, the Municipal Development Plan, and Area Structure Plans. It is the mechanism used to implement the policy of the higher order statutory planning documents.

The graphic below illustrates the hierarchy of plans and how they interact with one another:

The M.D. is undertaking a review and update of the current Land Use Bylaw, which was adopted in 2017. There have been several amendments and additions since the current bylaw was created. This review will:

• align the Land Use Bylaw with regional and provincial legislation and policies that have come into effect since the last update, such as the MGA .

• align the Land Use Bylaw with the M.D. of Bonnyville’s long-term development direction from the MDP.

• align the Land Use Bylaw with recently approved ASPs.

• ensure the LUB addresses emerging trends and responds to demands in development.

The M.D. has engaged Stantec Consulting Ltd. to undertake the Land Use Bylaw review and update. This project will be completed in four phases:

The M.D. recognizes the importance of community input, and invites the public to participate in the following upcoming open houses:

May 8, 6 to 8 p.m. at Eastbourne Hall and

May 9, 6 to 8 p.m. at Riverhurst Hall

Announcements will be posted on the M.D.’s website at md.bonnyville.ab.ca as well as on our social media platforms — Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Additionally, stakeholders can provide feedback directly to the project team at any time during this review period.

For more information, contact:

Lisa Folliott | Project Manager Municipal District of Bonnyville No.87 lfolliott@md.bonnyville.ab.ca

780-826-3171 Ext. 2044

Sylvia Summers | Stantec Project Manager Stantec Consulting Ltd. sylvia.summers@stantec.com 780-917-8137

Coexisting with Beavers

Did you know, during drought conditions, the water held back by beaver dams replenishes our ground water supply? Dams increase the amount of water you see on the surface, but underneath the water storage capacity can be three to 10 times greater than what you see on the surface. Dams keep the water on location to be utilized rather than running downstream.

With below average snowfall this past winter, we are not anticipating a major flood event. Less flowing water means less beaver activity. This gives landowners an opportunity to implement best management practices to reduce human-beaver conflict if you live in an area with an optimal beaver habitat.

Tree wrapping is a management tool utilized to prevent tree cutting or felling. Wire mesh is strategically placed around desirable trees. This method has low to moderate costs but does require periodic maintenance.

Planting undesirable trees may convince beavers to move into a different area. They tend to avoid coniferous species while their favourites include willow, aspen, green ash, and poplar. Maintaining diversity in the plant community is helpful for providing a variety of options and encouraging the longevity of treed areas.

Diversionary or supplement feeding is a short-term, labour-intensive tool, but prevents damage to prized trees by providing a food supply and building materials for the beaver. This management tool can provide an alternative use for trees and shrubs that may have been removed from fencelines, ditches, or other projects.

Finally, natural or chemical repellants can be used to protect trees. Predator urine, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, other animal hair, and latex paint with sand discourages beavers from chewing. Using repellents requires regular re-application.

The M.D. of Bonnyville Agricultural Services Department implements long-term control measures such as pond levellers and exclusion fencing. There are 15 locations throughout the M.D. with pond levellers and five locations with exclusion fencing. These sites were identified with reoccurring beaver problems where the dams had to be removed several times a year. Lakeland Agricultural Research Association (LARA) provides funding for landowners on private land to install pond levellers.

Landowners who are affected by beaver activity can apply and receive compensation for beaver control through the M.D. All parcels of land will be inspected by the M.D. Pest Control Officer before your application is approved. If the landowner does not wish to carry out the control themselves, the M.D. may employ a local licensed trapper to assist with beaver control measures. When flooding occurs on private land that is affecting municipal infrastructure, the M.D. will provide beaver dam removal services.

If you have any questions regarding beavers and control, contact the Agricultural Services Department at 780-826-3951

Drought Assistance

Farming can be unpredictable. Unexpected weather events can cause challenges for livestock and crops. There are various programs available to provide relief for Alberta’s rural producers.

Scan the QR Code to the right or visit bit.ly/MDBvilleAG for additional information.

LARA is a tremendous resource for local producers. They will help with applications and supply more information on the programs above.

Give them a call at 780-826-7260 for more information or to request assistance. Keep an eye on laraonline.ca for webinars, workshops, and other learning opportunities.

ADVENTURE PARK ATTENDANT

GUEST RELATIONS ATTENDANT

PROGRAMMING & CAMP ATTENDANT

THE RIDGE KITCHEN STAFF

+ MORE bit.ly/MDBvilleHR SCAN TO APPLY!

DID YOU KNOW?

NOTE IT!

Wildfire Workbook

Download and complete your Wildfire Workbook today!

The Agricultural Services Department has assembled a workbook that acts as a guide for producers. The workbook is a place for you to keep all of the information you would need in case of a wildfire including information about the operation, location of animals, contact information for farm employees, vets, and community organizations that can help during an emergency.

To download your copy, visit bit.ly/MDBvilleAG

PRODUCED AND PRINTED BY THE MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF BONNYVILLE NO. 87

4905 - 50 Avenue

Bag 1010

Bonnyville, Alberta

T9N 2J7

CONTACT US:

Main Administration

780-826-3171

Public Safety/Bylaw Concerns

780-812-3332

24-Hour Concern Line

780-812-5000

FIND US ONLINE

web - md.bonnyville.ab.ca

email - info@md.bonnyville.ab.ca

YOUR M.D. COUNCIL

Sign up for a digital copy of the Rural Review at md.bonnyville.ab.ca.

WARD 1

Josh Crick

jcrick@md.bonnyville.ab.ca

780-545-5961 WARD 2

Darcy Skarsen

dskarsen@md.bonnyville.ab.ca

780-201-3478

WARD 3

Mike Krywiak

mkrywiak@md.bonnyville.ab.ca

780-573-6093

WARD 4

Don Slipchuk

dslipchuk@md.bonnyville.ab.ca

780-545-8443 WARD 5

Dana Swigart

dswigart@md.bonnyville.ab.ca

780-573-9095

WARD 6

Ben Fadeyiw

bfadeyiw@md.bonnyville.ab.ca

780-826-1462

MESSAGE FROM THE REEVE

Barry Kalinski

bkalinski@md.bonnyville.ab.ca 780-573-6082

Welcome spring!

While I’m sure our beef producers are enjoying the dry spring during calving season, I am hoping to see some rain in the forecast.

As you’ve probably seen, this year’s wildfire season was started early, with a Ministerial Order moving the date up to February 20. This is due to the lack of snow during the winter months. We are currently facing drought-like conditions. The M.D.’s Agricultural Services Department along with Lakeland Agricultural Research Association (LARA) have put together some resources for farmers to help deal with these conditions. You can find out more about provincial and local drought programs on Page 8 of this newsletter.

You’ll also find information for our Fire Guardians on Page 3. These are the folks you call when you want to burn in the M.D. They will provide you with a free fire permit as weather and conditions allow.

NOTES FROM THE CAO

Al Hoggan

ahoggan@md.bonnyville.ab.ca 780-826-3171

Happy spring! What a wonderful time of the year. As we re-appear from the long cold days of winter we will soon be greeted with green grass, new leaves in the trees, and the sounds of our farmers hard at work in the fields doing the important work of feeding the world. We will continue to hope for April showers and much needed moisture.

Every spring the M.D. Administration presents Council with our audited financial statements. This year we were pleased to present a clean audit report complete with a $5.4 million surplus from our 2023 budget. M.D. staff strive every day to invest and spend the revenues the M.D. receives wisely.

It is shaping up to be a busy spring in the M.D. We will host two open houses for the update and review of the Land Use Bylaw at the beginning of May. We will also be hosting an Emergency Preparedness Open House on May 11 at the Ardmore Outdoor Rink. There will be a free barbecue, displays about preparing for an emergency, representatives from local emergency agencies including the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority, RCMP, and search and rescue.

We will also be hosting an open house to celebrate Public Works Week on May 25. Drop by the Public Works shop from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to grab a hotdog, check out some equipment and live demonstrations, meet equipment operators, and take a seat in some of our heavy equipment.

I’d like to end this column by thanking everyone for their thoughts and prayers while I was in Haiti. I’m blessed to come from such a supportive community and am thankful to be home.

Many of the 2024 construction projects are in the early stages and we are excited to break ground shortly on the long-awaited Cherry Grove Fire Hall. We anticipate completion in the spring of 2025.

Reservations for M.D.-operated campgrounds opened up on April 1. Act quickly to get your campsite reservations for the upcoming camping season by booking online at letscamp.ca.

Enjoy the warm weather and enjoy the spring of 2024.