Rocky View County is asking residents how to reduce human-wildlife conflicts in Bragg Creek, including whether a garbage bylaw should be part of the solution.
In a statement on its engagement portal, the County said:
"Rocky View County is seeking input from the Bragg Creek community on how to manage human-wildlife interactions in the area. Concerns have been raised about attractants such as unsecured garbage, and one option under consideration is a potential garbage bylaw. Your feedback will help us better understand community experiences, concerns, and priorities as we explore potential solutions. Rocky View County is working on this topic collaboratively with Bragg Creek Wild, who brought this topic to Council on July 17, 2024. Please share your input through the survey and join the discussion forum below."
In its April 9 bulletin, the County said it is seeking public input on whether a dedicated garbage bylaw or alternative measures could help address wildlife concerns in Bragg Creek. Officials noted that "garbage is a factor in human-wildlife conflicts, but it’s only part of the issue," and that "a garbage-specific bylaw alone may not address the full scope of the problem."
The County’s FAQ adds: "This could include a garbage-specific bylaw, a broader bylaw covering multiple attractants, or alternative strategies like increased education and awareness campaigns."
Bragg Creek is not covered by the County’s Waste Collection Bylaw (C-8371-2023), which applies primarily to areas with curbside service. Instead, residents use self-haul options such as transfer sites, recycling depots and mobile "chuck wagons."
Wildlife enforcement and public education fall under Alberta Fish and Wildlife. The County says the Bragg Creek Transfer Site is “well-maintained and secure,” citing a review by the Provincial Wildlife Conflict Specialist.
Rocky View County is running a public consultation online, including a formal survey, discussion forum and a What We Heard report.
Bragg Creek Wild is also circulating a separate survey through its website and social media. The group says the results will be shared with the County and the public. The Bragg Creek Wild survey cites a 2022 incident in which a sow was euthanized after becoming habituated to unsecured garbage. In the survey introduction, the group states:
"This initiative was prompted by a tragic incident in the fall of 2022 involving a sow (female bear) and her three cubs. The sow became habituated to feeding on garbage stored outside a home, which led to her being euthanized, leaving the cubs to fend for themselves."
The survey notes that Bragg Creek is a “forest community” in rich wildlife habitat, and that other communities such as Banff, Canmore and Redwood have garbage bylaws.
"Bragg Creek Wild has been collaborating with Rockyview County since 2023 to develop a garbage bylaw aimed at reducing wildlife-human conflicts and in particular bear-related incidents, in both residential and commercial areas," the group says.
While Bragg Creek Wild’s survey is focused on supporting a bylaw, the County’s consultation is broader in scope and neutral in tone. Both surveys are publicly available but are operated independently.
The County’s engagement, which runs from April 9 to May 14, includes an 11-question survey and public comment forum online. Bragg Creek Wild’s survey is being circulated through the group’s website and social media, and results will be shared with both the County and the public.
An in-person open house is scheduled for April 16 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Bragg Creek Community Centre. Once engagement concludes, the County says a "What We Heard" report will be compiled for Council consideration.
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