Lois Shute's presentation at Public Hearing on Proposed Bylaw-Proposed Northwest Saunders Lake ASP, Oct. 25, 2016

The following was presented by Lois Shute at the Public Hearing on Proposed Bylaw-Proposed Northwest Saunders Lake ASP, Oct. 25, 2016
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Honorable mayors Whaley and Krischke, Leduc County Councillors, City of Leduc Aldermen.

Thank you for responding to our concerns for Saunders Lake, notably the widening of the green zone.

The more I read about wetlands and riparian areas, the more convinced I am that we need to make every effort to respect our environment, specifically Saunders Lake. We need to do our part for the health of the world, the wildlife within this area and the people who are here. Whether people are aware of it or not, there is a bond between humans, animals and the environment. In God's plan for creation we are all interdependent. What strengthens one, strengthens us all.

This fall as we watched the pelicans leave, the cranes go by on their way south and the swans arrive for their annual visit for a few weeks and the little native birds stop by, we know this lake is important to them and to us. Being in nature enhances our health and well being and even our productivity.

Light pollution makes it impossible to watch the stars, disconnecting us with the universe. I can pull the blinds to sleep when the industrial lights shine into my home from 4 miles away. But what about the animals who live around the lake? Where will they find darkness to sleep or for some, to hunt and to discern direction from the stars?

I realize that much effort is being made by Stantec in their We also know that mechanical things can malfunction at times. What natural filters could be put in place to protect the lake from these inadvertent spills? I've been reading about ALUS (Alternative Land Use Services) ALUS partners with county councils landowners and community groups to help with riparian protection and habitat for wildlife and native pollinators among other things. Parkland County is one of the Alberta Counties who are part of this group. They have planted an "eco-buffer" with help from the Agroforestry Woodlot and Extension Society to include native species of trees shrubs and forbs to provide pollinator and wildlife habitat, shelter for livestock, nutrition recycling and groundwater recharge. The various rooting depths pick up nutrient runoff. Lots of synergies happen in this kind of biodiverse community. I would love to see this right around Saunders Lake. The south east side of the lake still has a natural eco buffer. Other areas around the lake have been cleared of trees and need some restoration. Why can't we as a community begin this process. Perhaps the County could make this a requirement for the developers to complete before the fields are stripped of topsoil and weeds take over the vast clay areas. Mr. Manning representing the developer commented that unfortunately this is part of the process of development. But this carelessness, clay washing down the hills, weed seeds contaminating the countryside for a year, maybe 2 o3 years, is disgustingly unacceptable around Saunders Lake. For a reasonable time, an eco-buffer could help filter out the runoff even as the drainage system and roadways are being built.

Does industrial development along Saunders Lake affect us? Probably not. We have lived beside the lake for 42 years. We may be gone by the time it happens, but we care. We care about our own grandchildren and their children. We care about the 2000 Leduc kids who came to Sunnyvale Camp from 1991-2011. They gloried in this unforgettably beautiful part of God's creation. – even the grungy shore line and those leeches on the bottom of the canoes. We care about your grandchildren too, the waterfowl on the lake – the common ducks and geese, gulls, terns and herons. We care about the rare birds we have seen only once - the Avocets, the Parasitic Jager, and the Black Crowned Night Herons. We care about the Eagles, Hawks, Pelicans and Tundra Swans, the coyotes, foxes, beaver, mink, muskrats, deer and moose that frequent the Lake.

Telford Lake has been cleaned up at great expense after years of abuse. Oldtimers told us 50 years ago about the grain elevator burning down and all the debris being dumped on the ice on Telford Lake, essentially killing the lake.

We appreciate the integrity of our county councillors and realize that you have a lot of things to balance with the threat of the land grab by the Edmonton city. And we appreciate your stated priority to preserve the environment across the county. The way wetlands are being destroyed across Canada and the world, we need to be vigilant and do what we can. We need to set the standards high to guide future representatives.

Let's restore and protect Saunders Lake while there is still an opportunity. Lets not let economics trump the environment. Let's not let finances dull our wisdom and steal this treasure.