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From ConCerv
ConCerv.com
Concerned Citizens for Edmonton's River Valley.
Web Site updates
We are currently updating our web site. During this transition period, the old web site will continue to be available at concerv.com/old.
Our Mission
To enhance Edmonton's economic strength and quality of life by advocating the appropriate use of Edmonton's central river valley. Achieving this Mission means phasing out heavy industrial activities from the central river valley and ensuring that the aesthetics for those that remain are consistent with a historical, residential and recreational environment.
Our Mission and the River Valley Bylaw
The North Saskatchewan River Valley Bylaw "grandfathers" industries such as the Rossdale power station in the river valley but anticipates their eventual removal. The Bylaw allows their expansion only when "essential need" has been demonstrated. The expansion proposed for Rossdale is merely a business opportunity and satisfies no "essential need". This expansion, and in reality any expansion at Rossdale, clearly violates the Bylaw.
Our Mission and EPCOR
Our immediate goal is to ensure that EPCOR's near term and long term plans for its Rossdale properties are consistent with the this Mission.
News Highlights
In Edmonton's Centennial Year, 2004, Philip Coutu released his latest book, "Castles to Forts: A True History of Edmonton". It is a comprehensive history of the first one hundred years of Edmonton settlement history.
Highlights of the book are:
--- The origins of Edmonton as an ancient crossroad of trade called 'The Wolf's Track'.
--- A study of the origins and history of the Metis fur traders who established Fort Edmonton.
--- An in-depth analysis of land use in the fur trade era definitively identifies the Rossdale generating station (operated by the municipally owned power company, Epcor) as the site of significant archaeological resources.
--- The history of Fort Edmonton Cemetery, including burial records.
It is perhaps noteworthy that the Paul Kane painting of Fort Edmonton which graces the cover of this book was done from the vantage point of the historic landing. This is the future site designated by the City of Edmonton for commemoration and interpretation of our rich fur trade history.
Copies of this early record of Edmonton's history are $30.00 per copy and can be obtained by contacting Philip Coutu at 'Phone/Fax: 432-0368.
Submission to Council on Rossdale's Future
On September 20, 2004 ConCerv presented its vision for the Rossdale site to City Administration and to EPCOR. This vision was compiled from the many inputs that ConCerv has received on the subject. The vision can be viewed in Microsoft Word or plain text formats. The covering letter that was submitted to EPCOR and the City can also be viewed in Microsoft Word or plain text formats.
Tumble Down Economics
'Last May, Heritage Minister Sheila Copps .... at the annual meeting of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, "........... federal tax credits to encourage the preservation and restoration of heritage buildings."' 'Copps also has a discussion paper pending on a new Canada Historic Places Act to encourage the rehabilitation of heritage landmarks.' Report on Business Magazine/Globe and Mail September 02, 2002.
'Prime Minister Jean Chretien will include a multibillion-dollar promise to cities for improved transportation in his throne speech next week, sources say. ............ to improve Canada's roads and BRIDGES.' Edmonton Journal, September 23, 2002.
The money is available to improve the face of Rossdale (the gateway to downtown and the front garden of the legislature) from the Walterdale bridge (105th street) bridge to a new vision for the central river valley. we just have to lobby for it.
Province Blocks Rossdale Expansion
Oct 18, 2001: Alberta Community Development Minister Gene Zwosdesky gave three buildings on the site historic protection on October 17. The Minister's announcement was given wide coverage including the Edmonton Journal of October 17. That effectively kills the RD11 expansion that EPCOR had proposed in the North Saskatchewan River valley, explains the Edmonton Journal (Edmonton Journal Stories of October 18 and 19)
"EPCOR kills Rossdale expansion"
Oct 26, 2001: EPCOR decides to abandon its expansion plans for the Rossdale power plant. Various groups ponder the future of the Rossdale site.
"Rossdale will probably close"
Without RD11, Rossdale will probably have to close when the current PPA expires at the end of 2003. EPCOR also admits that it has accumulated a fund of approximately $30 million from its ratepayers to cover the cost of decommissioning and restoration of the Rossdale site. October 28, 2001: Mayor Smith admits that once the PPA expires in 2003, Rossdale would be uneconomic and will probably have to close.
Council votes to review the future of the Rossdale site
On January 15, 2002, Council voted to approve a motion by Councillor Bolstad to conduct a review of the future of the Rossdale power plant. Councillor Bolstad's motion calls for public participation in that review. This is the fourth review of the general Rossdale area that Council has called for. Other reviews include a review of the historical and archaeological aspects of the Rossdale and west Rossdale areas for Alberta Community Development; a review of the historical buildings on the Rossdale site in response to the designation of those buildings by ACD; and a special review of Council-owned lands in west Rossdale.
ConCerv's appeal of Alberta Environment decision on Rossdale is successful - Approval is withdwnra
On August 10, Alberta Environment (AENV) approved the EPCOR Application. Like the EUB decision, this was a most flawed decision and so ConCerv lodged an appeal against this decision with the Alberta Environmental Appeal Board (EAB). ConCerv's appeal was supported by many of the other interveners. On November 2, 2001, ConCerv lodged its initial submission with the Environmental Appeal Board. EPCOR chose not to contest this appeal and accordingly, AENV withdrew its approval for the project. EPCOR's current license for Rossdale will now expire in 2006 and an opportunity will be available at that time to contest its renewal.
ConCerv Wins Leave to Appeal EUB Decision
In May, the EUB approved the EPCOR expansion application. In June, ConCerv sought leave to appeal that decision in the Alberta Court of Appeal. ConCerv's leave to appeal application was heard in the Appeal Court in Edmonton on August 14. The brief is available in both Microsoft Word and plain text formats. On August 29, the Court of Appeal granted leave to appeal. The Court rarely grants leave to appeal so this was quite a victory. This appeal will continue despite the recent announcement that EPCOR will not be proceeding with the RD11 expansion. Even though it is not proceeding with the expansion, EPCOR has announced that it proposes to continue generation on the Rossdale site "for another 25 years". While generation continues on the Rossdale site and this EUB approval is in place, the RD11 project can always be brought back. ConCerv will only drop this appeal if the EUB approval is rescinded and EPCOR agrees to cover ConCerv's costs.
Interveners' Input Results in Designation of Rossdale Buildings
On August 28 and 29, the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation held hearings into the proposal by Alberta Community Development to designate a number of buildings on the Rossdale site, including the Maxwell Dewer Building (or LP Building). EPCOR proposed four options for the building, ranging from Option "A" (requiring demolition of two thirds of the building) to Option "D" (requiring less than one third demolition). EPCOR made it clear that they would only accept Option "A" as they needed the extra cleared area for further expansion at a future date. Any decision other than option "A" would almost certainly mean the cancellation of the project, EPCOR said. Their view was opposed by all other presenters - Alberta Community Development, Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues, Rossdale Community League, ConCerv, Windsor Park Community League, Edmonton Historical Board, Edmonton and District Historical Society, Association canadienne-francaise de l'Alberta, Legimondiere Descendants, Historical Society of Alberta, Central Council of Community Leagues, and various First Nations groups. On October 17, 2001 the Minister rejected EPCOR's arguments and accepted the input of the various interveners and designated the three buildings as Provincial Historic Resources. This effectively killed the RD11 expansion.
EFCL presentation (Microsoft PowerPoint format)
Windsor Park presentation (Microsoft PowerPoint format
Central Area Council of Community Leagues presentation (Microsoft PowerPoint format)
Rossdale Community League presentation in either plain text or Microsoft Word formats
Contact Us
- President John Oxenford (mailto:contact@concerv.com)
- Vice-President - Administration Don Williams (mailto:contact@concerv.com)
- Vice-President - Communications Carolyn Stout (mailto:contact@concerv.com)
- Treasurer Al Mondor (mailto:contact@concerv.com)
