The potential of a garbage bylaw for Bragg Creek is being explored by Rocky View County (RVC).
Unanimous support was provided by RVC council on Sept. 10, following a push by Bragg Creek Wild to the county's public presentation committee on July 17.
The establishment of the bylaw is one of the steps sought by Bragg Creek (BC) Wild to reduce human-wildlife conflict in the hamlet. It is required before Bragg Creek could be designated as Bear Smart community, something the organization is in the early stages of pursuing.
At the July 17 meeting of the public presentation committee, BC Wild member Lucy Curtis said Bragg Creek has been labelled a 'bait and wait' community by the media.
"The term 'bait and weight' is effectively that we are leaving the candy out and asking the bear to ignore it," said Curtis in her presentation, "so we're actively inviting them in and in the commercial area we have a mix of soft, soft topped and hard topped containers. Mostly they're not closed at night, certainly they're not locked, so wildlife is getting into these every night and strewing garbage around the place, which effectively invites the wildlife in."
BC Wild says a garbage bylaw enhances public safety while providing wildlife protection. It would increase community cleanliness, encourage responsible waste management, lower costs associated to wildlife management and damage, and promote long-term coexistence with wildlife.
Curtis says it could also serve as a model for Bearspaw and Springbank, the only communities in the broader region without garbage bylaws.
Her presentation included photos, videos and posts on human-bear conflicts in the Bragg Creek area.
The spotlight was shined on widespread reports of three bear cubs left orphaned after their mother was shot on August 28, 2022, by a provincial fish and wildlife officer. Garbage left by residents had attracted the bears, stated an official with Alberta Environment and Parks.
She also referenced the 12 dogs suspected of being killed in cougar attacks in the Bragg Creek last year. One dog was attacked twice with the owner present.
The bylaw is one of several initiatives of Bragg Creek Wild aimed to protect wildlife and wildlife habitat and provide public education to reduce human-wildlife conflict.