Wabamun Lake: Samco Development along North Shore

[Don Meredith]

As related by DuckBrat back in 2013, Samco Developments Ltd. has been having problems complying with an Alberta Environment Enforcement Order and amendments to that order to clean up the mess they made in 2012 when they cleared a 1/4 section of forested land along the north shore of Wabamun Lake. Tonnes of topsoil and other earthen materials have entered the lake affecting the health of that lake, including fish populations. Parkland County has also issued a Stop Order to prevent further erosion of the Lakeshore Road, etc., to apparently no avail.

I am a member of the Wabamun Watershed Management Council and we have been following this development since it was first reported in 2012. Although the land is zoned as agricultural by Parkland County, it has long been suspected that Samco wanted to build some kind of residential development.

Well, it's suspicions confirmed. Late last month (Sept.) Samco announced their proposed 328-site RV campground to be constructed on that site. They will be applying for a development permit with Parkland County. Many lakeside residents and anglers are upset and are planning to appeal any permit granted. If you fish Wabamun or otherwise have concerns about the health of the lake, please go to the WWMC web page on the issue to learn more.

[Big Grey Wolf]

Don, I live by Wabamun lake and will be affected by this proposed development. Their were around 80 people that attended the open house
at Magnolia hall, most with concerns about the major campground.

[traderal]

Yay more RV campgrounds. Thousands of RV's being sold every year and no where to go.
While our gubberment closes down recreational areas, the private sector steps in, one large development at Buffalo lake and now at Wabamun. But NIBY raises its head. No no only a few entitled of us are allowed to live at the lake, keep out the weekend riff raff, it's all ours, all ours, we own all the shoreline. Blah blah blah. Just think, in Europe, a country the size of Alberta would hold about 50 million people.

[Don Meredith]

I don't live or own property on the lake or even in the watershed, but I do fish and boat on it, and am very concerned about the amount of development on the lake and it's affect on the health of the lake. Wabamun is one of the few lakes in central Alberta that so far hasn't had toxic blue-green algae blooms. We at the WWMC are trying to keep it that way, but the attitude of this developer and his reluctance to adhere to AEP restrictions makes it less likely that the lake will stay healthy. Sure, bring on more campgrounds, RVs, boats, etc., but be prepared to view, smell and ultimately reject an unhealthy lake.
And 50 million people? How do you think that many people would affect your ability to enjoy wildlands, stand in long lineups, get a licence to actually catch a fish or hunt? Europeans don't have near the opportunities we have here, that's why many of them come here for vacations.

[ChickakooKookoo]

Is Transalta involved in this at all? I've heard they use the lake water for cooling of their plant nearby and they monitor the water quality to ensure when something goes sideways, they're not at fault. I would think they would be all over this?

[ghfalls]

So what’s going to ruin the water? The extra boats on the lake? Or the people swimming in the water on the 20 Day’s a year nice enough to swim? Newsflash. We need way more campgrounds in this province. I bet there’s been at least 20 threads this year of people complaining about full campgrounds. Can’t get a site anywhere, etc. I say we need a dozen new campgrounds in this province at least. Closer to the big cities the better.

[Don Meredith]

Originally Posted by ChickakooKookoo

Is Transalta involved in this at all? I've heard they use the lake water for cooling of their plant nearby and they monitor the water quality to ensure when something goes sideways, they're not at fault. I would think they would be all over this?

The old (now defunct) Wabamun power plant used to draw water from the lake to cool its generators, and then release it back to the lake. The more modern plants on the south side of the lake use very little lake water and recycle it through cooling ponds not connected to the lake.

The WWMC works with TransAlta on a number of issues, but since their mine and plants are on the south side of the lake, I doubt the development would affect them directly.

[HunterDave]

Originally Posted by Don Meredith

I don't live or own property on the lake or even in the watershed, but I do fish and boat on it, and am very concerned about the amount of development on the lake and it's affect on the health of the lake. Wabamun is one of the few lakes in central Alberta that so far hasn't had toxic blue-green algae blooms. We at the WWMC are trying to keep it that way, but the attitude of this developer and his reluctance to adhere to AEP restrictions makes it less likely that the lake will stay healthy. Sure, bring on more campgrounds, RVs, boats, etc., but be prepared to view, smell and ultimately reject an unhealthy lake.

What exactly are your concerns with a campground being detrimental to the health of the lake? The silt issue during development I understand, however it sounds to me like you are implying that they will be pumping raw sewage from the campground right into the lake. I hardly think that will happen. If they put in a pier for their tenants to moor their boats I suppose that would contribute to a little more pollution from spills while refueling, etc., but to declare that a campground will make the lake ugly, smell and ultimately unhealthy is a bit of a stretch.

I have been involved with the development at Willowbend Resort at Lac La Nonne and I have been a long time resident at Lakeview Campground on Lac Ste Anne. I’ve heard the same unfounded arguments from the locals in both areas.

I don’t live there either but I know that the bottom line is that no one likes change particularly if it’s in their backyard. Some people may want people to stay out of their piece of paradise, I understand that. There’s no reason to embellish what the ramifications of a new campground are though. It leads to credibility issues.

[Don Meredith]

As proposed, the development will not be pumping sewage into the lake. The sewage will go to holding tanks, and it's assumed pumped and hauled out by vacuum trucks, as required in most lake communities. The problem with this particular development is the developer's attitude to the environment and the lake. AEP and Parkland County have tried to rein him in with six years of enforcement orders and amendments but he either ignores them or does a poor job of complying with them. In the meantime tonnes of topsoil and sediments enter the lake yearly (according to AEP assessments).

Runoff from disturbed ground carries nutrients into the lake water. This accumulates, causing more plant growth including algae blooms. The more development you have on a lake, the more nutrients flow in the water. Scientific study after study show this. On the WWMC website we have posted many of these studies.

That said, developments can be made that respect the health of the lake by ensuring that runoff is controlled and passes through riparian or wetland areas with natural vegetation that filtres out many of the nutrients. This particular campground could be constructed that way, but we have no faith that it will unless the governments involved actually enforce their orders.

There is a limit to the amount of development you can have on a lake. There is only so much lake shore and watershed to go around. But a healthy lake needs a healthy watershed with enough natural areas and shorelines to ensure the cleanest possible water enters the lake. As our population grows and more people want to recreate on lakes, there is and will be pressure to build more. But how much more can our lakes take before they indeed become undesirable?

[Adventure Seeker]

Originally Posted by Don Meredith

As related by DuckBrat back in 2013, Samco Developments Ltd. has been having problems complying with an Alberta Environment Enforcement Order and amendments to that order to clean up the mess they made in 2012 when they cleared a 1/4 section of forested land along the north shore of Wabamun Lake. Tonnes of topsoil and other earthen materials have entered the lake affecting the health of that lake, including fish populations. Parkland County has also issued a Stop Order to prevent further erosion of the Lakeshore Road, etc., to apparently no avail.

I am a member of the Wabamun Watershed Management Council and we have been following this development since it was first reported in 2012. Although the land is zoned as agricultural by Parkland County, it has long been suspected that Samco wanted to build some kind of residential development.

Well, it's suspicions confirmed. Late last month (Sept.) Samco announced their proposed 328-site RV campground to be constructed on that site. They will be applying for a development permit with Parkland County. Many lakeside residents and anglers are upset and are planning to appeal any permit granted. If you fish Wabamun or otherwise have concerns about the health of the lake, please go to the WWMC web page on the issue to learn more.

HAHA Don stick to writing fiction! Your facts on this are a little skewed, but it fits you and your watersheds narrative. Is the Wabamun watershed also protesting the Transmountain pipeline that goes through this property or close by?

[Don Meredith]

After a couple of days of hearings last month, on February 12, Parkland County's Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) denied Samco's appeal of the county's refusal to grant a development permit. In other words, the development cannot proceed. For more information on the development and the opposition to it, including a link to the 28-page SDAB decision, go to the Wabamun Watershed Management Council page on the subject.

Samco has two options if it wishes to proceed with the development: 1) appeal to the Alberta Court of Appeals (if there were errors in law or jurisdiction in the decision) or 2) reapply for the permit in a year. As well, something has to be done to control the constant erosion on the property. So, this issue won't be going a way for a while.