Bow River Phosphorus Mgmt Plan
The ALIDP was heavily involved in the development of the plan, representing urban non-profits. ALIDP Executive Director, Leta van Duin, chaired the urban non-point source task team, which developed strategies and actions for the urban non-point source sector. Many ALIDP partners participated in this task team. Within the task team, we examined the sources of phosphorus, the barriers and opportunities around the implementation of low impact development, and had numerous discussion about the strategies, actions, and activities which would result in reduction of phosphorus reaching the river from urban lands. The task team ultimately made four priority recommendations for inclusion in the plan:
- Examine the need for phosphorus restriction in lawn-maintenance fertilizer in the residential context.
- Establish volume targets throughout the planning area.
- Establish provincial policy to enable stormwater reuse.
- Conduct bioretention performance research.
As this plan is currently voluntary (under the Surface Water Quality Management Framework), meetings now focus on sharing the efforts underway by various agencies to meet the recommendations of the plan. Meetings are every second month, attended by the Executive Director.