-157- X. APPENDIX A – THE BOW RIVER [423] The Bow River ecosystem is one of the most significant ecological features in Southern Alberta.217 The Bow River Basin, which is technically a sub-basin, along with the Red Deer River, the Oldman River and the South Saskatchewan River sub-basins, forms the South Saskatchewan River system, one of the seven major river basins in Alberta. The Bow River basin is the most highly populated basin in Alberta, with approximately 1.2 million people living in the basin. [424] The Bow River is described as having eight reaches and starts in the Rocky Mountains, in Banff National Park, on the western edge of the Province and flows generally to the southeast. In Reach #1, the river is fed first by Bow Lake and then Hector Lake. From these lakes, it flows to the community of Lake Louise, where it is joined by the Pipestone River. From here, Reach 2 of the river continues to the Town of Banff and then to the border of Banff National Park. The water treatment plants for Lake Louise and Banff disinfect their wastewater, but do not remove nutrients such as phosphorus. Just before leaving the park, the Bow River is joined by the Spray and Cascade Rivers and is also fed by Lake Minnewanka. [425] Once the river leaves Banff National Park, Reach 3 flows past the communities of Canmore, Deadman’s Flats, Exshaw, and Seebe. Each of these communities uses the river as their municipal water supply and discharge treated wastewater into the river. The river then flows through the Stoney Nakoda Nation to the community of Cochrane and then into the Bearspaw Dam. The Bearspaw Dam is located on the western edge of the City of Calgary and is one of the City’s municipal water sources. Cochrane uses the river as its municipal water supply, but uses a pipeline to send its sewage to the City of Calgary for treatment. Within this reach the Spray Lakes drainage, the Kananaskis and Ghost Rivers, and Jumping Pound Creek enter the river. This reach of the river is used for agricultural purposes, such as ranching and some irrigation, and a number of industries use the river to discharge surface runoff, cooling water, and treated wastewater. 217 The following section is a summary of the information provided in the document, Nurture, Renew, Protection: A Report on the State of the Bow River Basin, prepared by the Bow River Basin Council (online: Bow River Basin Council <http://www.brbc.ab.ca/report>). -158- [426] Reach 4 flows from the Bearspaw Dam to the Western Irrigation District weir, located within the City of Calgary. Nose Creek, which runs through the communities of Crossfield and Airdrie, and the Elbow River both join the river a short distance upstream from the weir. Airdrie receives its municipal water from Calgary and sends its wastewater to the City for treatment. However, Crossfield releases its treated wastewater to Nose Creek. The Glenmore Reservoir, the other source of municipal water for the City of Calgary, is located on the Elbow River, a short distance upstream of the confluence with the Bow River. This reach of the river and its tributaries provide the municipal water supply for 87 percent of the population (approximately 1 million people) in the Bow River basin. The largest withdrawal of water from the river in this reach is for the Western Irrigation District and the stormwater flow from the City of Calgary is said to be the most significant source of potential contaminants. The Tsuu T’ina Nation is located within this reach and is generally bounded by the Elbow River on the north and Fish Creek on the south. [427] Reach 5 of the Bow River is entirely within the city limits of Calgary and flows from the Western Irrigation District weir to Highway 22X near the southern boundary of the City, where it is joined by Fish Creek within Fish Creek Provincial Park. This reach of the river receives stormwater from the City of Calgary and treated wastewater from the City’s Fish Creek and Bonnybrook wastewater treatment plants. There is also an additional wastewater treatment plant proposed at the southern most point in this reach, at the boundary of the City. [428] Reach 6 of the river flows from the southern boundary of the City of Calgary to the headworks of the Bow River Irrigation District located at the weir near Carseland. The Sheep and Highwood Rivers join the Bow River in approximately the middle of this reach. The communities of Turner Valley, Black Diamond, and Okotoks are located on the Sheep River and the community of High River is located on the Highwood River. These communities have wastewater treatment plants that release treated wastewater into tributaries of the Bow River. (It should be noted that Okotoks has an advanced wastewater treatment plant that is said to have a lesser impact on the river than regular tertiary treatment.) The largest withdrawal of water from the river in this reach is for the Bow River Irrigation District. The other uses of water in this reach include municipal water supplies, agriculture uses, recreation, and some industrial uses. -159- [429] Reach 7 of the river, the reach in which the appeals before the Board originated, runs from the Carseland Weir to the Bassano Dam. The vast majority (75 to 80 percent) of this reach of the river, approximately 100 kilometers, runs though the lands of the Siksika Nation. Arrowwood Creek joins the river in approximately the middle of the reach and Crowfoot Creek enters the river just upstream of the Bassano Dam. The communities of Strathmore, Gleichen, Cluny, Arrowwood, Vulcan, and Standard are all within this reach. While none of these communities are adjacent to the river, they get their municipal water directly or indirectly from the river. For example, Strathmore and Gleichen get their water from the main WID irrigation canal. The Siksika communities of West End, Muskrat Village, Stobart, Axe Flats, North Camp, Chicago, Sandhills, Shouldice, Many Bear Flats, South Camp, Washington, Poor Eagle Flats, and Crowfoot Ferry are all immediately adjacent to the river. As is discussed in more detail in the body of the Board’s Report and Recommendations, the Siksika Nation gets their water supply from the river. [430] Reach 8, the final reach of the river, flows from Bassano Dam to the confluence with the Oldman River, where the Bow River and Oldman River join to form the South Saskatchewan River. (The South Saskatchewan River flows eastward out of Alberta into Saskatchewan and Manitoba. and then joins with the Nelson River, into Hudson’s Bay.) There are no significant tributaries in this reach of the river. The most significant withdrawal of water in this reach, which takes place at the Bassano Dam, is for the Eastern Irrigation District. There are a number of small communities in this reach, none of which are immediately adjacent to the river. The City of Brooks, which is immediately north of this reach, gets its water supply from the Eastern Irrigation District’s Lake Newell Reservoir. The City of Brooks discharges its treated wastewater into a creek outside of the Bow River basin. -160- XI. APPENDIX B – WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS OF THE PARTIES A. Siksika Nation Elders Committee [431] The Siksika Elders did not provide a written submission, but did provide oral evidence at the Hearing as is customary with the Siksika people. [432] Mr. Roy Little Chief explained there are health concerns among the people of the Siksika Nation that may be caused by the water. He also questioned why they were not involved in any consultation regarding the pipeline and outfall. [433] Ms. Yellow Old Woman noted the Bow River is already polluted and roots that grow by the river cannot be used for medicinal purposes as they were in the past. She explained that their first priority is to keep their water clean. [434] Ms. Anne McMaster spoke of the traditional use of the river, including sacred ceremonies. She explained they have to haul water in to use for the sun dance because the Bow River water is already polluted. [435] Mr. Crow-Chief noted the sacredness of the Siksika Lands, and he expressed frustration that no one approached them about the pipeline and outfall. [436] Mr. Duncan Winnipeg suggested that the Town should find another way to deal with the wastewater rather than discharge it to the Bow River. [437] Mr. Turning Rope noted the lack of communication that has occurred and he recommended solving the problem together. [438] Chief Stimson spoke as part of the Siksika Elders panel, stating that it would be a matter of courtesy for neighbouring communities to consult with each other about what is going to happen. Chief Stimson argued the Town knew it was reaching capacity and it was poor planning on its part. Chief Stimson also suggested that Alberta Environment needs to be more stringent to prevent adverse effects to the Bow River. [439] Mr. Kelly Breaker presented his understanding of proper traditional Blackfoot culture in its modern context. He expressed concern regarding the existing water quality at the Siksika Nation and how the treated wastewater would degrade the quality further. Mr. Breaker -161- also discussed the Traditional Use Effects Study and questioned the validity of conducting such a study. [440] Ms. Lillian Crow-Chief discussed some of the issues members of the Siksika Nation are currently having with their water supplies, including those who have private wells. She expressed dismay that the Siksika members were not consulted regarding the pipeline and outfall.