Rocky View County (RVC) council adopted amendments to the County’s Land Use Bylaw at their meeting on Nov. 12. The amendments will help protect the lands adjacent to the County’s waterways by limiting the types of construction permitted in these riparian areas, and by enforcing setbacks to keep these zones intact.
“Although they make up a relatively small portion of the landscape, they have some significant importance relating to economic, health, and environmental considerations,” said RVC Senior Planner Richard Barss. “Economically, they can help prevent or limit erosion, and they can slow down flooding. Health-wise, they improve water quality by filtering nutrients and sediments from water systems. And from an environmental perspective, they provide an important habitat for mammals and fish.”
The Riparian Land Conservation and Management Policy, which was adopted by RVC council in 2010, provides direction for administration to incorporate riparian protection measures in the Land Use Bylaw. The process to develop these amendments began in 2013, based on the Province’s Water for Life strategy which identifies three primary goals: safe and secure drinking water, healthy aquatic ecosystems, and a reliable water supply.
“The County has done a lot we can be proud of in support of the Water for Life actions,” said Barss. “We participate in watershed groups and provide support to the development of watershed plans, and we have adopted these plans as guiding tools. One of the most significant things the County has done is adopt a riparian policy which implements development patterns that minimize negative effects on riparian lands and in doing so, rely on science-based standards to develop setback requirements.”
Riparian Protection Areas (RPA) are established based on the provincial Stepping Back from the Water guidelines, stating that structures must be at least 30 metres back if the soil adjacent to the watercourse is glacial till, or 60 metres back if that soil is alluvial sediments. These measurements are taken from the centre of the watercourse.
“It gets very difficult when you have things that are spread out like a wetland or an intermittent spring,” Barss said. “We are taking the first step, looking at permanent watercourses and intermittent streams that we are confident are significant drainage areas.”
For larger waterways, such as the Elbow and Bow Rivers, setbacks will be measured from the bank edge. In the case of a mapped floodway, the setback would have to be outside of the floodway, regardless of the width of the RPA.
“People are confusing this with floodway protection, but it’s a side benefit. It keeps people further away, but that’s not the purpose,” said Barss. “It’s important that we tell people that we aren’t doing it to protect the home, we are doing it to protect the riparian area.”
Agricultural operations will not be regulated by the policy, but buildings such as barns and homes will need to be located outside of an RPA. Limitations on structural development within RPAs also includes: wastewater systems, stormwater ponds, communications facilities and commercial and industrial parking lots.
“This system will be quick, efficient, and cost-effective, both to the County and to applicants,” Barss said. “Existing lots and homes in riparian areas will be grandfathered in, and we will allow those people to remain in good faith.”
The public was given the opportunity to provide input at open houses held across the County in October of 2013 in communities including Weedon, Irricana, Langdon, and Bragg Creek, as well as at the County Administration Building.
Executive Director of the Bow River Basin Council, Mark Bennett, spoke at the public hearing in support of the proposed amendments. He said RVC is “strategically situated” within the watershed, with both the Bow and Elbow Rivers and their tributaries.
“For the County to be coming out with these bylaw amendments, it shows exceptionally strong leadership,” he said. “We will be trumpeting this success to other municipalities within the region.”
After first and second readings of the amended bylaw were passed unanimously and permission was given for third reading, Councillor Liz Breakey moved final reading and the amendments were approved unanimously.
“I would like to congratulate administration for an incredible amount of work,” she said. “To have received the support of all the watersheds is truly admirable.”
