WinstonConfluentus

Well, I was going to paste a couple of links in here. but I seem unable. Google, "Elk Valley Water Quality Plan" for the current best information on the impact of Se in the Elk Valley. The impacts are real and quantifiable. Beyond the Elk, the US EPA keeps an eye on water quality in the system as well and has provided some of the impetus to attend to this issue. Up to date information regarding Grassy Mountain strip mine proposal can be found on my Facebook page, 'The Crowsnest Journal'. While Riversdale Resources remains stuck in their inability/unwillingness to provide a cogent and complete EIA, the threat to both Gold Creek and Blairmore Creek remains very real. Daisy Creek to the north may also be impacted by changes to local hydrology. When and if they complete the EIA and the review processes is set, I'll let folks here know. Best of the season All, Kevin Turner, aka Winston Confluentus

A strange place indeed. Thanks, Don. This is libelous hate speak pure and simple. Unbiased, real-time reporting of issues in the headwaters has brought many to the conversation; some behave as adults, some do not. Far more positive commentary was made on the viral post than negative and as far as I can tell, it's the first time both "sides" engaged each other openly in fact-based discussion. Not all of the discussions were great, but at least they were had. Progress. I believe the current level of damage and degradation in the Oldman headwaters to be beyond the comprehension of any reasonable person. Lack within governments and all those tasked with land management find us where we are today. Cognitive dissonance within user groups, including the angling community, has also played a role. Plainly said, folks fear change; especially those with a dog in the fight. Regarding the veracity of my work, as mentioned I make mistakes. I work across many disciplines and at times the jargon can be difficult to keep up to. If there's a factual or contextual error on the page, I hope it gets pointed out so I can correct it. I'm ever grateful to the many professionals who have lent their knowledge and experience to insure accurate reporting of the facts. "We" can do this, not I. I must say I'm surprised by some of the folks who have supported this latest online smear campaign; it's pretty transparent. Perhaps they have the same kind of dog?

Thanks for this. I'd missed that video somehow.

Hi Uber, I hear you; I stayed out of the fray on Facebook for many years myself. My experience managing another page convinced me of the value, and the power, of social media. Currently the page has become a library and newsreel for some folks, a discussion forum for others. I'm working on expanding the platform and creating a website; unfortunately, my resources are quite limited. There has been a significant lack of strong investigative reporting on issues in the Oldman watershed and it appears the page is helping to fill that. I'm now looking into possible grant funding (this cannot and should not be allowed to affect the journalism so it will take the right grant) and perhaps contacting a philanthropic outfit as the response to the page has been overwhelming at times. I'd paste a few of the essays and articles here if I could figure out how to do it; I've just never had the time to learn this forum and Word has always behaved oddly for me once on here. It's likely my lack of skills more than anything. I'll send you an email address by pm. Thanks for your interest in the welfare of the watershed.

This will be among the leading issues in the Oldman headwaters this year. The Oldman Watershed Council and others are attempting to maintain open dialogue with OHV users and groups in an effort to find the best solutions for all concerned. Considerable information on this can be found on the OWC's website and Facebook page as well as on my new Facebook page, The Crowsnest Journal. Many in the OHV community have joined the discussion on these pages and understanding among user groups is increasing. Anglers can play an important role in this conversation as our native trout are among the best indicators of watershed health not to mention how wonderfully impartial they are. If anyone has any specific questions or concerns they can likely be answered on one of the pages. If not, drop me a message on my page and I'll do my best to reply. -Kevin Turner.

Both the AER and CEAA have rejected Riversdale Resources/Benga Mining's EIAs regarding the Grassy Mountain proposal. Considerable information about this including links to the documents can be found on the Facebook page, "The Crowsnest Journal".

The appeal was to be heard the first week of February; it was cancelled to allow further discussion. Don, I'll pass some stuff along by email when able.

There's no conflict, I'm just being overly cautious to insure best practice; I simply can't be calling a lawyer every time before I post. If you guys want, come down. The road has been ploughed and I have access; I'll show you the site, explain what I can, and show the hundreds of pictures I have that are not part of any other concern. Then you guys can decide for yourselves let everyone here know what you saw. Sound like a solution? In regards to TUC, both the Oldman River Chapter and the national position can be found on both the chapter's website and Facebook page.

Taco, you continue to make statements you lack the information to make; this doesn't help our fishery anymore today than it did yesterday. You have so much good knowledge that could benefit the fishery, why do you waste it? The issue of ultimate liability on Grassy Mountain is complex due to legal matters I simply cannot speak of at this time as I am involved in the investigations. I doubt the lawyers themselves have figured it all out yet. Rest assured, I have been informed by some of the investigating bodies that Riversdale Resources/ Benga Mining will be responsible for the mitigation of the mid-July 2015 release of coal and other substance from the east flank of Grassy Mountain which entrained deleterious substances into Gold Creek. I've just posted an outline for "Statements of Concern" to the Alberta Energy Regulator on the page. It was written by a scientist in the field and has been provided for all to use. There are many people working hard to protect our water supply, and thereby our native salmonids behind the scenes; I can't wait to be able to thank them all publicly. -KT

I created a Facebook page, "Coal Mining in the Oldman Headwaters" as a library of information regarding this proposal. This will be the first project of it's kind in the area to face a full environmental review since the raising of Westslope Cutthroat Trout to the Canada Gazette. It is extremely important to the welfare of our native fish stocks that this review be handled in the best possible way with input from all stakeholders. Please visit the page, give it a like if you do as I will be updating the page with all new information as it become available. Contrary to the deadline noted on the AER's website, there has in fact been an extension granted for "Statements of Concern" to the AER regarding the mine's operational permit; the new deadline is January 15, 2016. I am working to have the AER's website updated with the latest deadline. All disagreements aside, our native fish need their anglers to step up here. We are few in the headwaters; you are many and we need your voice. Thanks, Kevin Turner

Hankook I-Pikes complete with six rows of studs. Amazing! I've been running them for 3 years on a 4X4 Dakota in the land of fast changing weather, Crowsnest Pass (we can literally go through 25 degree temp swings between Lundbreck and the BC boarder with all the various road conditions that would give) and the only complaint I've ever had was they were too sticky and I couldn't drift the corners! They make great bush tires too as the tread is heavily stepped so they spit mud and snow like the devil.

That's a great read, I've had it for some time. Morin and Cauldron Creeks provide the refusia in the Gold Creek System; no refusium was found by the Bull Trout in the upper Crowsnest River. There used to be four-footers in the lakes, now there are none above Lundbreck Falls. Cutties are down to five percent of their native range -ya we've done a great job. The knowledge of accountability should be shared.

Smitty, I know who Taco is, he's been trolling me for years; it hasn't worked yet. Remember Hidden Creek Taco? I asked who albertatrout was. I did briefly maintain anonymity when first on this forum at the beginning to protect someone who was protecting our fishery. Since then it's just been fun and Winston has become famous in some circles - the fish not me! The picture, taken after spending over a half an hour with him in Racehorse Creek after processing (he was fully awake as he'd been captured before and was already tagged), is part of a set including video that's been used for stories and presentations. It was a cool experience with him. One day, I hope he can be the face of a fish smart program for kids.

Thanks bcube; too many files from too many levels of government in my head right now.

I'm happy you have accomplished what you set out to Taco; I, too, appreciate your effort as it has brought clarity to an otherwise muddy stream. As posted on both your personal page and the Oldman River Chapter, TUC page, I hope you return some day to assist us in fulfilling our mandate - to protect our most precious resource - water. Half truths and political platforms albertatrout? No posts on our projects? Time for a fact check. Who are you anyway? We'll get there gang, it's just going to take a little time before most of us start rowing the boat in the same direction!

There are very clear rules regarding logging in the Oldman headwaters; clearly, they have not been followed. Thanks for the great pictures, especially the one of Slacker Ck. and friends; this was ground zero in 2013 and in places the sediment off the blocks is over a meter deep. The raising of cutties to the Canada Gazette should be very helpful in mitigation and should also help insure the situation doesn't degrade further. Next on the block, pardon the pun, the upper Livingstone River, Todd and White Creeks - all Cutthroat Trout Critical Habitat. Time to act on behalf of your fishery!

I believe change is underway at DFO. Section 58 of SARA has real teeth; once the NW and Fisheries Acts are restored we should have what we need to begin, in earnest, the recovery of our native fish.

It's my understanding that policy makers and fishery professionals believe it a net benefit to have anglers "on the water". We as a group, can provide intimate knowledge of the fishery and can serve as a watchdog to encourage good behavior and report transgressions when required. Speaking with the above on this, I was given no indication this would affect the fishing regulations for 2016. What it will provide is some much needed clarity for all user groups and industry operating in close proximity to threatened native fish. Our Bull Trout in the South Saskatchewan drainage are now under consideration for the same "threatened" status by DFO. The survey regarding this was posted here I believe. Further information on this and other issues affecting our native fish (and non-natives too!) can be found on the Oldman River Chapter, TU's Facebook page. I spend most of my social media time there now so if anyone has any questions or would like to offer assistance, please contact me through the page or the chapter. Time to feel positive about the direction of your fishery gang! I, for one, truly believe the corner has been turned. -Winston

I like bluntness myself Clive and lad, this is far from imaginary and there is nothing lame about bringing it to light. As far as the title goes, I do understand the point made about sensationalism and it's capacity to put folks to sleep eventually, but I feel in this case the qualifier used at the end suggests a different intent. This happened in mid-July and it has somehow remained in the background while lesser events have been reported on. This event, and another which took place in November 2014, are now posted on the Alberta Energy Regulator's Compliance Dashboard for all to see. As well, there is an article by Duane Radford in this month's Alberta Outdoorsman. I trust more will follow as the investigation unfolds. Regarding why this is bad, the two main issues as I understand them are heavy metals, specifically selenium, and the abrasive nature of coal as it fractures down. There are others, and yes we could argue degrees and thresholds all day, but that is the work of scientists and investigators and does not serve the fish's needs when all agree the problems are real and demonstrable. Selenium, primarily a problem in disturbed lands especially coal mines, poses an issue due to the narrow range between what is required for life and what is toxic to life. In trout, it has been proven to reduce reproductive success, be a causative factor in birth defects and reduces survival rates of those that persist past the larval stage. Coal fractures to a sharp edge and this increases the abrasiveness and turbidity of the water leading to mechanical injury to the gills. There are significant other effects of entraining coal and other substances into a fish-bearing watercourse, but I think the above is more than enough to prompt a protective response. So let's talk about this gang; then it will just be another environmental disaster that people I are talking about and maybe something will get done about it.

Actions speak louder than words; that said, its' been a very stressful week in the Crowsnest Valley and I wish my words had been gentler. Perhaps this forum was not the right place to seek support for the welfare of the fishery.

Albertatrout I certainly don't have to explain myself to you but in the interest of the fishery I'll bring you up to speed on a couple of points. You really should come out and see for yourself before throwing around the "facts" the way you do. If your not shocked and saddened by this you don't belong in conservation work. I've worked on the land without comment or compensation for over twenty five years hence the Winston thing to maintain the anonymity I once cherished. It is the depth of my work that finds me forced into the mainstream, not any desire for recognition or having to deal with the likes of this. The Oldman TU chapter is undergoing a revitalization with many new, young members and active, boots-on-the-ground participation. Check out the Facebook page and website for more info. Our project links are on the FB page, sign up! Antics indeed. Caldron Creek has always provided a refugium in the Gold Creek system and it is this that is likely responsible for their persistence. I've been working with forestry, not an easy proposition prior to the election, for years regarding the Atlas Road. The first sediment barriers went up this year with much more, including bridge replacement to follow. I've never said I am against the mine. In fact, I have engaged Riversdale many times directly with the tact that if we are going mining, we are not going poisoning too. Tech provides an excellent example on how to work towards doing this right. That said, they will be in court on October 29, 2015 in Fernie to face charges regarding a very similar event. So now where were we, oh ya, shame on you. You sound like a quadder defending the damage they do by pointing the finger at others or another fellow most of us have come to love. Scandal? Oh look, a terrorist! I should have listened harder to G. B Shaw before I allowed this to raise my blood pressure.

Here we go again albertatrout. The information presented in the post is mine, that's Kevin Turner not Winston who handles the simple stuff, and I believe it will easily stand the rigor of review by professionals in the field. I lack the resources to test for selenium or it would be done not only in Gold Creek, but throughout the watershed. Information available on Riversdale Resources website clearly indicates there is a problem with selenium among other things and you would be well served by knowing what you are talking about before starting with the tired old "nay say". The shocking and saddening thing to me is yours was the only comment on this environmental disaster given the nature of the forum. I have put a tremendous amount of effort into protecting this fishery; if I were king for a day, the privilege of fishing this watershed would be handed out in direct proportion to the effort put forth towards its welfare. Shame on you and anyone else who calls good, honest effort down and stands by while our fishery is destroyed. End of rant.

The very best to you and yours Foamy. I've dealt with some pretty heavy neurological issues myself. For me, the vagueness of it can be so difficult; it's not like a broken arm or other injury where you can see it and effect change. While the affected nerves constantly change the way they function and pain levels are in constant flux, the healing processes themselves are very slow, at times unnoticeable, but the healing does continue. Your boy has age, and obviously a lot of love, on his side; kids heal great! Be well

Location?

Welcome to caring about the plight of native fish. Thanks for that. -Winston "I learned long ago never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it." -George Bernard Shaw