August 11, 2016 Lacombe County Council Meeting

Transcription

1 August 11, 2016 Lacombe County Council Meeting

2 WHAT IS BLUE FLAG? Internationally recognized eco label Awarded annually to beaches and marinas which have met strict criteria Founded in 1987 by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), a nonprofit organization based in Denmark In Canada, the program is administered by Environmental Defence, a national environmental charity

3 WHERE IS BLUE FLAG? Over 4,000 Blue Flags flying in 49 countries In 2015, Blue Flags were awarded to 25 beaches and six marinas across Canada Embraced by the World Health Organization, the World Tourism Organization, and the United Nations Environmental Programme Toronto, Ontario Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, Ontario (Naturalist Program) Halifax Waterfront, Nova Scotia Gimli, Manitoba

4 WHY BLUE FLAG? When you see a Blue Flag flying, you know a beach or marina is: clean and accessible has great water quality meets high safety standards is working hard to protect local shorelines and ecosystems Symbol of excellence, sought out by tourists and residents alike, and something to celebrate in a community

5 1. Boost tourism and the local economy 2. Provide national and international recognition highly recognizable 3. Offer positive media relations and marketing listed on both the national and international Blue Flag websites promoted through Environmental Defence s social media Environmental Defence arranges local and national media coverage for Blue Flag raising ceremonies and events 4. Promote partnerships 5. Encourage recreation and healthy living 6. Educate visitors about local ecosystems Blue Flag beaches and marinas are required to promote three to five environmental initiatives. These initiatives engage the community, increase environmental stewardship

6 HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

7 The Blue Flag criteria are organized into four main categories: The criteria are further categorized as either imperative or guideline

8 1. Blue Flag information must be displayed 2. Environmental education initiatives must be offered 3. Information about recreational water quality must be displayed 4. Information about the local ecosystem must be displayed 5. A map of the beach indicating different facilities must be displayed

9 The international water quality criteria are based on the European Union s Bathing Water Directive 1. The beach must fully comply with the water quality sampling and frequency requirements Weekly sample collection at minimum (E.coli=freshwater, intestinal enterococci=saltwater) Must test for both E.coli and intestinal enterococci 5 times per season 2. The beach must fully comply with the requirements for water quality analysis Independent national/international accredited laboratories must carry out analyses Water quality results must be uploaded on the Blue Flag website

10 3. No industrial, wastewater or sewage related discharges should affect the beach area 4. The beach must comply with the Blue Flag requirements for E.coli and intestinal enterococci (streptococci) parameters 3. The beach must comply with the Blue Flag requirements for physical/chemical parameters Immediate action should be taken if abnormal changes are detected. (Eg. colour, transparency and turbidity of the water) Should physical or chemical pollution (or algal blooms) be detected repeatedly, the Blue Flag must be taken down for the remainder of the season

11 Current Water Quality Sampling in Sylvan Lake Alberta Lake Management Society (funded by AEP) in cooperation with Sylvan Lake Watershed Stewardship Society LakeWatch Reports Temperature, dissolved oxygen, ph, conductivity, TDS, hardness, metals and a suite of chemistry parameters (P, N, and chlorophyll a, etc.) Sample every 1 4 years Collect composite samples (photic zone) Not designed for beachfront monitoring Lacombe County Cumulative Effects Assessment Study Surface/groundwater sampling and nutrient sources Not designed for beachfront monitoring Alberta Health Beachfront monitored periodically Data not publically reported Only unsafe conditions will result in a beach posting for e.coli contamination or for cyanobacterial blooms

12 1. Must establish a beach management committee 2. Sensitive areas must be managed accordingly 3. The beach must be clean 4. Seaweed or natural debris should be left on the beach Only man made litter should be removed from the beach Vegetation may only be removed if it accumulates to the point where it is a hazard 5. Garbage and recycling bins must be available at the beach in adequate numbers and they must be regularly maintained 6. A sustainable means of transportation should be promoted in the beach area (Guideline) 7. Camping, driving and dumping are prohibited on the beach 8. Domestic animals must be prohibited from beach With the exception of guide dogs for the visually impaired 9. Marine and freshwater sensitive habitats in the vicinity of the beach must be monitored If there is a sensitive habitat located within 500 m from any part of a Blue Flag beach, a monitoring program must be established to monitor the health of the habitat at least once a season

13 1. Appropriate public safety control measures must be implemented 2. First aid equipment must be available on the beach 3. Emergency plans to cope with pollution risks must be in place 4. There must be management of different users and uses of the beach so as to prevent accidents 5. Supply of drinking water (Guideline) 6. Access and facilities provided for the physically disabled

14 NEXT STEPS flag/