The MD of Bonnyville is doing what it can to preserve and protect the ecological and biological functions of Crane Lake, through a number of assessments and environmental enhancements to the area.
The Crane Lake Restoration and Preservation Program was introduced last spring as a pilot project to implement preservation and restoration initiatives along the lake front. The program also aimed to educate residents of the MD of Bonnyville, and those living next to Crane Lake.
“The overall goals of the program were to introduce education and environmental awareness to all residents, to restore and preserve the ecological and biological functions of Crane Lake… to get everybody out in the community to become self-enforcing to make sure they are doing everything they can do to make sure they are putting their best foot forward in protecting the lake,” explained Katlyn MacDonald, environmental coordinator for the MD of Bonnyville.
Last year, the MD was able to complete phase one and two of the six-phase program, including an overview of the lake, the Crane Lake sign contest and six site assessments. Of the site assessments, four were residential, with the Crane Lake campground split into two sites.
MacDonald continued, after completing the site assessments, it was determined that a greater part of the sites are considered unhealthy, which could be caused by missing vegetation or human interference.
For example, the west campground site received a score of 29 per cent healthy – falling below the provincial average of 70 per cent.
“It isn't surprising, simply because there is a lot of human interaction on this site. We did take that into consideration when we created the score,” explained MacDonald.
Their target score is anywhere from 65 to 70 per cent healthy. In order to turn it around, they plan on introducing new vegetation to certain areas. To do so, the MD will have to block off areas to the public for a period of two-years, so saplings, bushes and other vegetation can grow without disruption.
Saplings proved to be a more economical choice. For the same cost as buying a handful of trees, the MD purchased about 1,000 saplings.
This way, if any die throughout the planting and growing process, there are still enough trees to replenish the area.
“I would rather plant 30 little trees, have them grow for the next 15 years and have 15 of them live, than only being able to plant three trees and have maybe one of them die anyways,” MacDonald responded.
Reeve Ed Rondeau said council is concerned about the saplings and their chances of survival.
“They take so long to grow. So we are going to have the discussion with Katlyn in the future and see if we can come up with a plan to have some larger trees put in,” Rondeau added.
One of the options, he continued, could be transferring trees from various areas of the MD to the riparian.
“We have all kinds of spots in the MD that we could take one or two. There are all kinds of nice little trees… and she could be transplanting trees that are four or five feet tall, rather than four or five inches tall, and I think they would have a much better chance,” he added.
Some of the sites assessed last year are on lot owners' properties, so in order to accommodate that, the MD has taken a unique approach.
“We're actually working individually with each lot owner to come up with something that works best for them,” MacDonald said.
This means if a resident is not a fan of poplar trees, they will try and plant a tree they would prefer. They may also consider planting certain berry bushes at a resident's request.
In addition to the sites that need attention, there were also areas deemed healthy with a few problems.
“What that means, overall, is the site is functioning, but it could be improved to help the water quality, help vegetation and help the wildlife around it,” explained MacDonald.
The assessment is broken into parameters, which are taken into consideration for each site. These parameters include items such as vegetation, soil, human interaction, and degree of artificial removals.
As part of the first two phases, the MD used a drone to capture the current conditions of the riparian zone. This information will help provide visual comparative data.
“So what we're going to do, is look at all of the sites, and this way, we can actually evaluate a health assessment from the air, see our progress going forward, as well as take inventory from the 2006 drone survey… so that we can see a side-by-side aerial view,” MacDonald said.
A high majority of the lots along the lake contain environmental or municipal reserves, which are owned and maintained by the MD, and help keep unwanted contaminants from entering the lake, maintain the lake's stabilization, avoid erosion and keeps the aquatic ecosystem intact.
So far, the program has been moving forward solely on grant funding through the Alberta Conservation Association, where they received a $5,000 grant, and Environment Canada, who provided $115,000 in grant funding for the pilot project.
Judging by what the MD has seen to this point, Rondeau believes the iniative should be considered for other areas in the province.
“It is something that every lake and group of residents around a lake have to start being more aware of. They do influence the lake,” explained Rondeau. “The less vegetation that grows on the lakeshores, the less mother nature can filter the water that can go back into the lake.”
Heading into 2017, the MD plans on completing 30 assessments from June until August. They will also be working with landowners on a plan to help increase the scores on their properties, and will host public meetings in the spring and fall.
