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FYI Toad Pond
Submitted by jorge on Thu, 13/03/2025 - 8:25am
Please, I am posting this not to promote discord. If you have something to offer, be civil and constructive in your commentary - what better way to show your "canadianness" in these times! Source: Sarah Golling, Rossland Telegraph Development Permit Application – 1010 Telemark Road "This application is for construction of a 54-unit condominium, just west of the “toad pond” near the north end of the Centennial Trail. Staff recommend approval of the permit with a list of 15 conditions, even though it is located in an “Environmental and Riparian Development Permit Area” established for “the protection of the natural environment, its ecosystems and biological diversity,” and the development will result in the loss of ~1,400 square metres of wetland, ~1,260 square metres of riparian habitat, and will disturb an additional 1,000+ square metres of riparian habitat. Among other conditions, the developer is to implement “a landscape-scale compensation approach for this development” – in consultation with provincial government representatives. Discussion: Spooner expressed overall support for the project, but had concerns about the environmental offsets being “offsite,” and about the drainage plans being unclear; Kwiatkowski shared those concerns. Weaver asked about the role of the Province, and Lightbourne confirmed that the Province must approve the plans. Boyce thanked staff for their work. Humpherys opined that with 54 new condos in the works, he sees a need for “a little store” at the base area to prevent excessive traffic and emissions resulting from trips to town for shopping. Weaver said he is glad that RED has not developed much of a commercial area at the base. Lightbourne explained that the Official Community Plan allows for only limited commercial development there, to prevent too much competition with downtown businesses. Provençal commented that RED could be invited to invest more in Active Transportation. A motion to approve the Development Permit for the project at 1010 Telemark Road CARRIED unanimously." Town: Rossland, BC Photos:
 
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I wrote this post because I am having a bad case of cognitive dissonance after reading the above in the news; it makes me so sad. I did not think more about it until I decided to look at the area on Google maps.
I understand that this is "progress", mostly good for investors, adds some more to the tax base, good for businesses, etc, but I simply cannot agree with it. This development will go thru all the legal and environmental hoops and yet, it feels wrong to read about how easily this seems to be becoming a reality.
We are being environmentally conscious about it because there will be, hopefully, "...a landscape-scale compensation approach" which does not sound to me like creating a new wetland and riparian habitat replacement. We are being environmentally conscious about it because there may be a store to lower traffic emissions. We are being environmentally conscious about it because there will be 15 conditions that, no doubt, will mitigate to some degree the further local environmental damage that we all know will happen.
The actions in the previous paragraph will help the environment somewhat, and will certainly make us feel good. And yet, lets not kid ourselves, none of these will replace the wetland and riparian habitat lost.
Seeing this picture, it is sad to obseve how the tentacles of development are slowly encroaching and fragmenting what is left of an isolated wetland - isolated because it is already surrounded by development and a higway. It just seems so inevitable.
An what a perfect local-scale example for what happens elsewhere in the world at a much larger scale - the Amazon rainforest coming to mind. How are we any different from those we decry elsewhere? At least for many of them in South America, South east Asia, and sub-saharan Africa, it can be argued it is a matter of survival.
Not to mention, if this goes through and 54 condos are built in the 1010 lot - how long until that empty lot directly across the street is another condo building? How long until those occupants complain and lobby to have that entire riparian area landscaped over? I'm with you on this one. This area should be adamantly protected with a defined area prohibiting further development.
(And a side note - they say they won't allow stores up at red - but with the Crescent, the Daly, the Wildwoods and all those new townhomes, and now this new 54 condo building.... how long until these hundreds of new homeowners fight that as well..... I'm starting to worry dearly for our downtown businesses.)
Agreed, I was saddened to read that article, though it was obvious that Red would do that at some point. I feel sad every time I walk along the re-routed Centennial, seeing all those trees logged to make way for large houses, with no wildlife corridors landscaped in.
I want to start by saying I am not an expert on wetlands, and really don't know much about their ability to bounce back after a disturbance.
For years, I have been visiting this wetland/pond area with my child, and we have noticed that it has been relatively lifeless over the last 2-3 years. This past year, we had a very difficult time finding any sign of life beyond very few tadpoles. I distinctly remember one autumn a few years ago, when I stopped by there on my way back to town from a bike ride, I saw thousands of tiny toadlets leaving the pond and making their way into the forest mud for the winter. What a sight! I just stood there in awe as they made their journey from the safety of the pond to hibernate until the next spring.
I share this because I remember how much life and activity existed in that pond and wetland area, and have seen it decrease to the point that it was at this past summer. I often wondered if there had already been a disturbance from the ongoing Caldera construction/Red Resort parking lots in previous years (such as noise, vibration, possible change to water ph, possible contamination), and if so, was it likely to make a recovery with the already changed landscape to the west.
Perhaps someone who is experienced with wetlands and their resilience, and has been tending to this specific wetland area over the past few years can speak to this.
Is it already too late for this particular wetland area?
Has it been disturbed beyond a reasonable point to see recovery, even without further disruption?
Very good question, Dani.
I used to help toads in late summer and early fall trying to migrate along the tunnel and crossing Red Mountain road. I have no doubt many of them were killed evry season, squished by people's feet - me included, bikes - mine included, cars - mine included, and pets - not mine though. A perfect example of encroachment.
I agree with you Dani. I used to do the same with my son and remember the shore water being thick with toadlets, not so in the last few years.
I used to do habitat restoration work and let me tell you, there is no substitute for the natural thing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPG9mo9D3Fw
https://www.amazon.ca/Downhill-Slide-Corporate-Industry-Environment/dp/1...
Concerns can be raised about the above issues with the goverment: MountainResortsBranch@gov.bc.ca