Editor:
On behalf of Kananaskis Country Volunteer Stewards who, over the years, have bent their backs to pick up hundreds of bags of garbage in the Yamnuska area adjacent to the Francis Cooke landfill, I would like to thank Larry Stanier for taking the time to acknowledge our work in writing as he did in your May 29 edition.
It is gratifying to know that users of the area notice and appreciate the change, which has been very substantial.
Alberta Parks and Alberta Environment monitor the land and work closely with the Bow Valley Waste Commission to manage garbage on and off the Francis Cooke landfill site. The landfill’s management deserves kudos for introducing rules to reduce the amount of garbage that could be picked up by our strong “Blow Valley” winds. Now, “all loads must be properly tarped or financial penalties may be charged. Sorting is not allowed at the site when wind speed is greater than 15 km/h.”
And patrons are asked to “arrive with pre-sorted loads and with loose litter already bagged.”
What a difference this has made. Last month, we picked up six bags of garbage versus over 100 in a single day a few years back. Landfill chief administrative officer and site manager Darcy Edison has been proactive and co-operative in working with us toward a solution to this long-standing issue.
Early in spring, a hired team picks up stray litter on the park side of the fence, and thus things are in pretty good shape in time for the climbing and hiking season. Volunteers now do fine-toothcomb work whereas we used to need the equivalent of a backhoe to carry waste away.
Despite all these improvements, we still seek the optimal solution in reducing our waste in the first place, especially where convenience food and beverage containers are concerned. And with this, everyone can help.
Marie-Pierre Chappeland, Kananaskis Country Volunteer Steward Coordinator,
Alberta Parks
