As part of the Bow Basin Water Management Options (BBWMO) project, Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) has spent the past year working through the conceptual assessment of 10 upstream reservoir options.

In September, AEP announced the three shortlisted reservoir options, hosted public information sessions, and solicited public feedback.

The final report on the first phase – the conceptual assessment – of the BBWMO project is expected in Q1 2020.

Phase 2 – the feasibility study – will move the three shortlisted options through a more thorough study and lead to a recommendation of a single preferred option.

Currently, there is no money budgeted for the feasibility study and AEP is seeking funding approval.

Timeline considerations:

• The feasibility study is expected to take a minimum of two years to complete (putting completion of phase 2 in Spring 2022 at best).
• The work will involve a phased approach including technical drilling and there are windows of time where it is preferred to drill; summer will be important (which also makes it crucial to have funding in place before then).
• Remember: All work will be multiplied by three sites.

CALL TO ACTION: Write to your elected officials to help secure funding for phase 2.

We’ll keep an eye on the funding piece into the new year and let you know if a stronger push is needed from our membership.

Stakeholder engagement

In September, prior to the launch of the project website and public information sessions, AEP sent notification packages directly to stakeholders.

• 11 First Nations groups (including Stoney Nakota)
• Metis Nation of Alberta Region 3
• 700 property owners (for about 900 properties – some owned multiple properties within the impacted areas)
• Plus, about 50 other organizations identified as potentially having interests

AEP also arranged three community update meetings this year — in May, September, and December — to inform stakeholder organizations (including CRCAG) on the progress of phase 1. We anticipate similar meetings will continue during phase 2.

Additional information on the BBWMO project can be found at alberta.ca/bow-basin-water-management-options.

If you have any questions, please reach us at info@crcactiongroup.com.

Regards,

Your CRCAG Board