Rural Review - July 2023

Book your M.D. campsite today!

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July 2023

Chickenhill Lake M.D. Park

It’s time to #TakeItToTheLake!

Some of the best memories are created during summer vacations. Why not plan your family’s next memories full of warm days by lake and camping beneath a blanket of stars? The following M.D. campgrounds have a site for you!

Be sure to check out bit.ly/MDCamping for more information. Book online at letscamp.ca

Chickenhill Lake M.D. Park (30-amp power)

Cold Lake M.D. Park (30-amp and non-power tent sites)

Crane Lake M.D. Parks (30-amp power)

Ethel Lake M.D. Park (non-power)

French Bay on Cold Lake M.D. Park (non-power)

Minnie Lake M.D. Parks (30-amp power)

Pelican Point on Moose Lake M.D. Park (non-power)

Muriel Lake M.D. Park (30-amp and non-power)*

Vezeau Beach on Moose Lake M.D. (full-service and 30-amp power)*

Wolf Lake M.D. Park (non-power)

*Seasonal sites available

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

@MDBonnyville

Hey animal lovers!

A question we get asked often is, “How many animals can I have?” There are a few answers to that question.

First, call the Planning and Development Department to find the correct Land Use zoning and size of your parcel. Many people make guesses about what their Land Use zoning is, and that often leads to disappointment.

You can find specific information in the Municipal District of Bonnyville Land Use

Bylaw, Section 49 - Keeping of Animals

The quick answer is parcels under three acres can have dogs (up to three), cats, and other domestic animals – that means the furry family members that are kept within your home.

Three to 10 acre parcels zoned Country Residential (CR), or Agriculture (AG) can have two animals. For example, two horses or two cows or two sheep, or a mix of stock … but only two total.

Please remember, these rules do not apply to properties that are zoned as Hamlet.

But what about chickens? Well, let us tell you… Parcels less than 1.5 acres can have up to 12 hens – this includes the Hamlet zoning!

Parcels between 1.5 and 10 acres can have up to 25 hens. Please note – their male companions are not allowed in the hen house!

And what about the bees?

CR, AG, and Industrial zoned properties can have a maximum of two hives. Our Agricultural Services Department is hosting a special event at the Ardmore Community Hall on July 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Visit our Facebook page for details on how to register. Please join us to get your BUZZ on!

If you have any questions, contact the Planning Department at 780-826-3171 or email us at planning@md.bonnyville.ab.ca

Come and experience elevated dining at The Ridge!

Join us Wednesdays for Wing Night!

Grab one (or two, or three) pounds of our unique and delicious flavours at $9/lb. Need something to wash it all down with? Wing Night means a $2 discount on local beers and ciders!

Get ready for the weekend with our Thursday appies night! Order one of our tasty appetizers and/or a highball or cocktail all at $2 off! It’ll help you fuel up for our newest activity – Music Poker and Music Trivia nights!

Music Poker Thursdays will be held August 3, and September 28. Music Trivia Thursdays are scheduled for July 20, August 17, and September 14.

Restaurant Saturdays are kicking off this month too. Order a charcuterie board and glass of wine and enjoy a $2 discount on each.

And don’t forget about Sunday Brunchday! Try our amazing breakfast grazing boards, breakfast poutine, or eggs benny. It’s the perfect way to wrap up your weekend! Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy a Caesar or mimosa and receive a $2 discount.

Check our website, kinosoo.ca, for menu updates, specials, and more events!

You can also find The Ridge on social media: @TheRidgeAtKR

The Ridge Hours

Wednesday to Saturday 11:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Sundays 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Swing into summer!

From the Giant Swing opening this month to Target Golf giving you a new way to train for the links, Kinosoo Ridge Resort is here to help you swing into summer!

The Giant Swing is located up at the Aerial Adventure Park. For a cost of $5, you can go up, up, and away! Tickets can be booked online at store.kinosoo.ca

Sharpen your golfing skills with our new Target Golf area. By focusing on accuracy instead of distance, we’re giving you a whole new tool in making your golf game great!

Bring your favourite iron (or borrow one of ours), buy a bucket of balls, select one of our tee boxes, and test your skills as you work towards hitting the various targets set up at different range points. Grab your friends, family, or enjoy some you time as you aim into fun with our newest summer activity!

TARGET GOLF PRICES

Bucket of balls

One hour, unlimited balls per tee box (max. two people) Five bucket punch pass (fully transferrable)

$12 $25 $48

If you’re looking for something a little more serene, we’ve got you covered. In July and August, we’ll be offering Wellness Sundays. For $25 you can take a yoga or Pilates class. At the end, celebrate with a mimosa and a tasty cinnamon bun from The Ridge (included in the price).

Yoga classes will be held July 16 and 23. Pilates classes will be held July 9 and 30 and August 13, 20, and 27. Pre-register by calling 780-594-5564

Looking for a summer activity for the kids? A few of our summer camps still have spaces available. From crafts to survival, there is a camp for everyone. There are four age categories – 5 to 6 ($250/week), 7 to 8 ($275/week), 9 to 10 ($300/week), and 11 to 12 ($325/week). The price includes lunches and snacks for the week. For more information, visit kinosoo.ca.

And don’t forget the Aerial Adventure Park. Pick a new route every visit! Book your times online at store.kinosoo.ca Find out more at kinosoo.ca/227/Aerial-Adventure-Park or by scanning the QR code to the left

Looking for a new date night activity? We’ve got something for that!

Come and experience our Climb & Dine! Date Nights are being held July 8, August 5, and September 9. The cost is $45 per person and includes your Adventure Park ticket and a charcuterie board and beverage at The Ridge. Reserve your spot by calling 780-594-5564

BOAT SAFETY

The M.D.’s Public Safety Department is excited to announce that starting July 1, M.D. Peace Officers will be periodically offering boat safety tips to users at boat launches throughout the M.D.

Boat safety has changed significantly over the last decade with the introduction of the Pleasure Craft Operator Card and several other restrictions and guidelines. The information can be overwhelming when we consider that rules can be significantly different from one application to another. Things that affect the restrictions may include boat length, engine horsepower, number of passengers, type of water body, and so on. We are here to help!

Peace Officers have been educated in basic boating regulations and can help you sort through the items you must legally have on your boat, how to avoid mishaps and dangers, and provide some safety tips on how to plan your day on the water.

While you may see Peace Officers partnering with Fish and Wildlife and the RCMP who have their own mandates, M.D. Peace Officers will not be patrolling area lakes as part of this program. This is an educational program aimed at increasing awareness and helping ratepayers and visitors ensure they are compliant with regulations and operating their vessels in a safe and efficient manner.

Anyone with questions about this program, or who wants to have their vessel assessed through Public Safety can schedule an appointment by calling 780-812-3332

It’s Electric!

Electric bikes, scooters, and other electronic transportation methods (ETMs) seem to be all the rage these days.

As the quality of manufacturing has improved, many people are seeing electric transportation as the new norm rather than the exception. E bikes have become more popular for a few reasons, all of which may see you purchasing one of these devices sooner rather than later. For example, pricing has started to come down as more manufacturers begin entering the marketplace. Range has also improved dramatically as manufacturers work to improve battery life, reduce weight, and improve components that electric devices need to function more efficiently.

The M.D. has been working diligently to provide more recreation and transportation methods for ratepayers, and our new Consolidated Public Safety Bylaw allows for the use of electronic bikes, scooters, and other devices on our recreational trail systems – provided a few safety restrictions are observed.

For example, ETMs must be restricted to a top speed of no greater than 32 km/h on our recreation trails. This is a way of ensuring that those walking, cycling, skateboarding, or similar are not overrun by users on ETMs. Additionally, the engine and

battery must be able to produce no more than 500 watts of energy during the operation (it is understood that 500 watts may be exceeded during the acceleration phase). Operators of ETMs must be at least 12 years of age, and those under 14 years old must wear a properly fitted helmet as is the standard when operating a regular bicycle.

Please check in with the Public Safety Department at 780-812-3332 if you have any questions.

AGRICULTURE

Seasonal Crop & Insect Inspections

Each year the Agricultural Services Department completes seasonal crop disease and insect surveys. Surveillance and monitoring allows information to be collected and analyzed by the province. This information is used to determine if there may be risks to the agriculture industry and to generate forecast maps for the upcoming growing season.

Insect surveys are completed for bertha armyworms and grasshoppers. Bertha armyworm pheromone traps are set up in late May and run for a six-week surveillance period. Two fields are selected with two traps set up at each location. Survey results are updated weekly on the Alberta Pest Monitoring Network.

Grasshopper surveys are completed in August. The survey counts the number of adult grasshoppers who have the potential to lay eggs. This information is used to forecast the following year. Environmental factors can result in higher or lower numbers than predicted. Approximately one field is selected in every township for the survey.

The Alberta Pest Monitoring Network is a great resource for producers to access live feed maps as well as annual surveys and forecast maps. You can find information on bertha armyworms, cutworms, wheat midge, grasshoppers, and more by visiting alberta.ca/alberta-insect-pest-monitoring-network.aspx

Crops are surveyed for clubroot and blackleg. Clubroot is a serious soil-borne disease of canola. Blackleg is another disease of canola caused by a fungus. Both clubroot and blackleg have the ability to cause significant yield losses. Ten fields are inspected annually for both clubroot and blackleg. If any plants exhibit signs of clubroot, they are sent off for testing to confirm a diagnosis. Blackleg samples and results are sent to Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. Survey results and positively identified locations can be found on our website in the fall. We also provide additional information on clubroot and how to prevent its establishment and spread at md.bonnyville.ab.ca/123/Agricultural-Services

If you have any questions regarding our seasonal crop and insect surveys, please contact the Agricultural Services Department at 780-826-3951

The Rise of Burdock

Back in May, you read about our Weed Inspectors and how vital they are to our Agricultural Services team in preventing the establishment of noxious weeds. They have been busy inspecting properties as there have been an increasing number of infestations of lesser burdock. Burdock is listed under Schedule 2 – Noxious Weeds in the Weed Control Act. Two other types of burdocks listed under the Weed Control Act are woolly and great burdock.

Burdock is a biennial invasive species native to Eurasia. Being a biennial, burdock lives for two growing seasons. In the first year, it grows leaves and accumulates food reserves in its roots. The second year, it grows a long, deep taproot (up to one metre long), a tall stalk, and flowers that become burs. An individual plant can produce between 6,000 and 16,000 seeds during its lifespan. Seeds can stay viable in the soil for up to 10 years. The seeds are spread by the burs, attaching themselves to livestock and other animals. Contaminated hay is another way burdock can spread across and between provinces. Burs can cause problems for livestock and other animals if they get under their eyelids. In addition, birds and bats can get tangled in the old burs.

Burdock thrives in undisturbed areas such as grazing reserves, forested areas, and riparian areas. Because of its biennial characteristics, you will normally not see burdock growing in areas such as cropland, which is tilled on an annual basis.

There are control options available for burdock. A label-approved broadleaf herbicide can be used to control burdock in areas that are not near a body of water or a riparian zone. It is important to read the label to familiarize yourself with the herbicide you are applying and any restrictions. Burdock can be mechanically controlled by cutting or pulling the plant. Pulling plants with the root is more effective, as a new plant can grow from the root. But, if anything, cutting the plant before it goes to flower will still give you some control. If you are purchasing hay, do your best to guarantee that it is weed-free and that you are not transporting unwanted noxious weeds onto your property.

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

BREAKING NEWS! – M.D. residents can now register for their Ardmore Landfill Account!

We’re sure you’re asking yourself two questions – why do I need an account to access the Ardmore Landfill and how much is this going to cost me?

We’ve got some answers for you!

Why do I need an account?

M.D. residents will be required to have an account to access the Ardmore Landfill for a few reasons, but most importantly, accountability. Accountability on the users to help ensure they understand their requirements, but also accountability on our part to help ensure we are handling waste and recycling generated in the M.D. of Bonnyville. It is important that the landfill and transfer station service that is provided to M.D. ratepayers remains low-cost.

What is the cost of getting an account?

There are no fees to register for an account. M.D. residents can register for an M.D. waste utility account to provide access to the Ardmore Landfill and receive either a proximity card or a smartphone app access account. Either option will work at the access gates. Residents can choose the option that best suits their needs.

Construction for this project will begin in late August, with some testing of the system taking place in September. The projected start date for the operational changes is Tuesday, October 3 when Ardmore will move to the new hours of operation – Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Fort Kent landfill will transition to a bin site for household waste and recycling drop-off.

Have questions about this project and or any waste or recycling projects? Call our Waste Services Department at 780-826-3171

DID YOU KNOW?

Does your rural address sign need a replacement?

Take a look at your blue address sign. Is it faded or damaged? Do you need a new one? Take a look at the picture above. Does it look like the one on the left? If so, you probably need a new one.

The M.D. has a new online program which allows property owners to request a new or replacement sign online. Simply fill out the form here bit.ly/MapsAddressing, and your sign will be ordered.

You will be contacted via phone when your sign is ready to be picked up from the M.D.’s Main Administration Office (4905-50 Ave.). Once you have picked up your sign from our office, you can also upload a photo of it to through the form, which lets us know you’ve installed it.

Please call the Planning and Development Department at 780-826-3171 with any questions.

NOTE IT!

Did you know you can receive a voicemail with emergency alerts from the M.D.?

If you sign up for an account at bit.ly/MDVoyentAlert you can choose how you receive information – by downloading an app, via email, through a text message, and even an automatic call to your phone number. You can even choose to get information from all four sources.

You can also find a map which shows where active alerts are currently in place, find out more information on the Voyent system, and submit information to be sent out via Voyent (for example if you have a lost pet) at bit.ly/MDVoyentAlert

Have questions? Contact our Public Safety Department at 780-812-3332 or via email at voyent@md.bonnyville.ab.ca

Rebranding Open Houses

Tax and assessment notices in the mail!

M.D. property owners should have received their 2023 Tax and Assessment Notices in their mailbox.

If you have not received your tax notice or if you have questions about your notice, please contact the Tax Team at 780-826-3171.

Remember – the deadline to pay your M.D. property taxes is September 15, 2023.

As part of the M.D.’s rebranding process, we will be holding open houses to get input and feedback from residents.

There will be two open houses.

July 17 - Eastbourne Hall

July 18 - Riverhurst Hall

Both open houses will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Find out more about the rebranding process at md.bonnyville.ab.ca/516/Rebranding

YOUR M.D. COUNCIL

WARD 1

Josh Crick

jcrick@md.bonnyville.ab.ca

780-545-5961

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

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COPYRIGHT - The articles, logos, and photos in this publication are the copyright of the Municipal District of Bonnyville No. 87 and may not be reproduced without consent.

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

Summer is truly upon us and I’m excited for what the next couple of months has in store for the M.D.

If you’re hitting the lake, you may see our Peace Officers at our launches. They’ll be on hand to answer questions about marine safety. You can see more about our new Boat Safety program on Page 8 of this newsletter.

It seems like just yesterday that Kinosoo Ridge opened up the Adventure Park. But it’s in its second year, and just getting better. The Giant Swing opening this summer, the addition of Target Golf, and all of the new special events makes sure that there is a way for everyone, young and not-so young, to enjoy Kinosoo.

It’s worth the drive just to sample the amazing food they’re cooking up at The Ridge!

NOTES FROM THE CAO

It would appear that the wishes and prayers for rain have made an impact. Thankfully, the rain has come at an opportune time for our region and has certainly slowed the progress of the fires that have been burning in and around the M.D.The fires have created an unusually smoky June, but hopefully that is behind us, and we can begin to enjoy the rest of the summer. Many thanks to our first responders both here and throughout the province for their tireless efforts and for sacrificing their time and energy to make our region and our province safe during the fire season.

Crops are coming along nicely it would appear, and this is a good time to remind everyone of Open Farm Days that will soon be here. Please check the M.D. Facebook page to see locations, times, and dates – please plan to attend. It’s a great family-friendly fun and educational weekend.

Congratulations to the winners of the Bonnyville 4-H Club auction. It was fun to go out and see the younger generation showcasing their cattle and

Speaking of events, did you know there’s an event calendar on the M.D. website? We have a listing of what’s happening in the community so you can be sure to keep involved. If you have a community event you’d like on the calendar, email it to info@md.bonnyville.ab.ca. I look forward to seeing you at one of these events.

Have a great summer and enjoy all of the beauty and fun our area has to offer.

getting some recognition for the hard work that goes into raising their 4-H cattle.

The M.D. summer recreation sites are in full swing now and we have seen a busy summer so far at the new boat launch at Vezeau Beach. As well, the M.D.’s Visitor Information and Interpretive Centre is now open – we encourage residents and visitors to pop in and have a visit. The Ridge restaurant at Kinosoo Ridge Resort is proudly serving great meals and I highly recommend brunch on Sundays (the Pulled Pork Benny is my personal go-to).

We are deep into summer farming season, and we ask everyone to be patient on the highways and M.D. roads when coming up behind our local farmers while they are moving equipment. Typically, they are not going very far, so a little patience can go a long way.

Be safe on the water, enjoy our beautiful lakes and parks, and have a great summer!