Calgary's River Access Strategy Available For Comment

[fishteck]

The Calgary River Access Strategy has been release for river user / public comment. The proposal will go to City of Calgary Community Services in February for approval before being presented to City Council in March 2017.

 

The following link will take you to Bow River Trout's website where copy of the proposal can be downloaded.

 

Your comments on the proposed boat ramps and hand launch sites will help formulate Calgary River Users Alliance response to the strategy. Either leave your comments on the website, post them here or send an email

 

https://bowrivertrout.org/2016/12/15/calgarys-river-access-strategy-goes-to-city-council-in-march-2017/

[jpinkster]

The one thing that needs to be emphasized like crazy is that this document is a draft. It is still subject to change based on feedback and feasibility.

 

A little refresher on how City Hall works -

 

Items come through a Standing Policy Committee first. The public is welcome to speak on any item at an SPC meeting. I expect that CRUA and some other folks from the river access community will want to be present and even give a presentation to the committee. One of the co-signers of the original Notice of Motion for the River Access Strategy is the Chair of the SPC this will report to.

The report will be accompanied by a series of recommendations from administration. The recommendations can vary from requests for funding to increased study scope to asking for direction from Council.

The report will come before Council after it goes through Committee. At Council the item is not open for a public hearing. If the item passes unanimously through committee, it will go on the consent agenda at Council. If Council feels the topic is non-controversial or are content with the recommendations, the item is passed without further debate or discussion. If a member of Council wants to discuss further, they ask that it is pulled from the consent agenda and put into the regular order of business.

Once the item is passed by Council, it is accepted as a clear directive for administration.

 

 

 

Long story short on all of this - you all have lots of opportunities to be involved in the months ahead.

[fishteck]

Old Refinery Park to be developed as a public access boat ramp as an alternative to the closure of 12 Ave. SE / Cushing Bridge. The following link details the rationale:

 

https://bowrivertrout.org/2016/12/20/old-refinery-park-proposed-as-replacement-for-cushing-bridge-boat-ramp/

[Villageidiot]

Can I ask, who would make sure the idiots at the fire department dont come along and close every new access point over time?

 

Why they wont allow access to 17th ave is silly, any actual reasoning behind it?

[jpinkster]

The FD is being consulted at every point of this process. They have direct input into what access points are considered and where we go next.

 

My understanding is that the 17th Ave launch doesn't allow for more than one boat to launch at a time. If there was an emergency situation and FD needed to get on the river, they may be tied up with someone on the launch. A double wide launch would alleviate many of the FD concerns. The parking situation and strain on the adjacent community are also some really big concerns down at 17th.

[fishteck]

There has been considerable debate within the fishing community over the years regarding the fire departments boat ramp access policy. The reality is that the fire departments will get unrestricted and exclusive boat ramp access at Shouldice Park, Eau Claire, 17 Ave SE and Quarry Park.

 

What the River Access Strategy will hopefully accomplish is a series of public boat ramps strategically located from Stoney Trail in the north-west to Seton ( opposite Policeman's Flats) in the south-east.

 

With the addition of a new boat ramp at 12 Street SE, (by the new Inglewood Bridge) and at Old Refinery Park the opportunity to float and fish the Bow River in the city will be doubled. Once Harvie Passage is reopened in 2018 it will be possible to float the Bow River in a drift boat from Stoney Trail to Fish Creek.

 

What is critical at this point in time if for the fishing community to SHOW SUPPORT for the River Access Strategy by responding to the post I placed earlier or showing support on this topic

[fishteck]

The River Access Strategy (RAS) goes to Calgary's Community & Protective Services Committee Meeting on February 1, 2017.

 

This is the only time when public comments and support can be presented to Councillors who will guide the approval process through City Council.

 

Needless to say, the fishing community needs to get behind this very important initiative,

 

The following link updates current RAS proposals and the background behind improvements to river access points. The importance of fishing community has been listened to with boat ramps at Stoney Trail, 12 Street SE, Refinery Park and Graves Bridge receiving priority development.

 

https://bowrivertrout.org/2017/01/04/river-access-strategy-presented-to-community-protective-services-february-1-2017/

 

Support is critical to the River Access Strategy to pass at City Council in March of this year.

[jpinkster]

As fishteck said...fantastic idea to get involved and have your voice heard.

 

Just a bit of inside baseball for everyone. I've seen plenty of examples where QUANTITY over QUALITY can actually diminish the effectiveness of advocacy. 50 people coming up at committee and essentially saying the same thing can make these meetings time consuming, costly and tiresome. With that being said, if you have a unique angle or think you can add some real value to the discussion, this is your opportunity. Proponents (or opponents for that matter) are also able to make written submissions to be included on the public record. These submissions are made a part of the report for the review of members of Council. I'll have a chat with fishteck later and give him some more details. Hopefully the advocacy effort can be really focused and effective come February 1!