Since the recent release of the budget by the Kenney government, we’ve worked to understand its implications to the numerous flood mitigation projects slated to protect Calgary.

We’ve discussed these implications with Alberta Transportation, Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP), and the City of Calgary.

We’ve summarized what will be impacted and what we know so far.

• Alberta Transportation – responsible for Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir Project (SR1) on the Elbow River
  Alberta Environment and Parks – responsible for advancing large scale upstream mitigation work on the Bow River and for funding local mitigation projects principally through the Alberta Community Resiliency Program (ACRP)
• City of Calgary – responsible for local projects; see list here

Bear with us, this is a lengthier email than normal but there is a lot of critical information provided, and a call-to-action at the bottom.

Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir (SR1)

The total capital plan funding for province-wide flood projects is stated to be $386 million, for the next four years, which is essentially the previous budgeted capital expenditure number less the almost $50 million spent to date on SR1.

• Read the latest SR1 update: More SR1 responses, and potential for second round of information requests in early-2020

We are seeking further clarification from Transportation as to the specific capital budget breakdown; to understand what is dedicated for SR1 in particular. We have been given assurances that the project will be completed. Remember that the federal government has committed $168 million toward founding SR1.

Bow River mitigation – upstream and local

The budget has seen a serious reduction in the ACRP funding allocation for Calgary, from $150 million to $69 million.

This will impact many of the local area projects the City had planned.

Now, much of the City’s flood defense on the Bow River will be major upstream mitigation and not local area mitigation such as berms. 

Although the province’s 2014 Respecting the Rivers report outlines a commitment to a layered flood mitigation approach (which includes local mitigation), the revised budget dollars do not appear to enable this commitment.

While CRCAG supports new upstream mitigation projects to keep the huge volumes of water out of the City entirely, completion of an upstream project on the Bow River is at least a decade away. And given the SR1 experience, it could well be several decades in the future.

Local area mitigation could be the only mitigation in the foreseeable future, even though it might not withstand the next flood event.

ACRP breakdown

Calgary will receive its final ACRP allocation of $15 million in two payments: $5 million in 2019 and $10 million in 2020.

These payments will contribute to two projects that had previously been approved for funding in 2019: the Downtown Flood Barrier and the Upper Plateau Separation Project.

Once this amount is paid the ACRP grants to Calgary will total $69 million, $81 million less than the commitments made by the Prentice PC government and continued by the Notley NDP government.

It is not currently known if any federal grants might be available to address this shortfall. If not, the City will need to fund this amount to be true to Council’s declaration that flood mitigation is one of Calgary’s top priorities.

Bow River upstream mitigation project

The conceptual assessment to identify the three most promising options for new upstream flood mitigation on the Bow River will continue to completion early in the new year. 

However, there is no money budgeted to proceed to the next step: a feasibility study.  This means that a delay in the Bow Basin Water Management Options project is anticipated.

Other key priorities

Glenmore Gates

The fully-funded “Glenmore Gates” project will be completed on budget and on schedule for flood season next spring.

Once complete, the Glenmore Reservoir’s water storage capacity will be increased by 50% as part of the overall Elbow River upstream mitigation strategy with SR1. This is good news for Elbow river communities as providing some protection, but is well short of addressing a 2013 flood event – which requires SR1, as supported by all three levels of government.

TransAlta Agreement for Ghost Reservoir

The TransAlta operating agreement is a key Bow River flood mitigation strategy utilizing the existing infrastructure available to protect this City and downstream communities, and the lowest cost and most easily attained.

The agreement expires in early 2021 so the last flood season for the TransAlta agreement is 2020. We understand that negotiations to extend or renew the TransAlta agreement have not yet commenced.

Continuing an arrangement with TransAlta is imperative. This agreement must continue until at least other infrastructures are developed on the Bow.

We are pursuing this matter with our elected officials and ask you to do the same.

Your input is needed on Calgary’s municipal budget

The City of Calgary is currently deliberating this year’s municipal budget and it is seeking public input.

With the reduction of provincial ACRP funding, flood mitigation projects that depended on it will only be completed by the City replacing those funds (or application for federal grants, if possible).

“The City is committed to completing the construction projects where the work is underway and to completing the design and engagement work, which is a clear stage gate, on Sunnyside and Bowness projects. More action beyond that may be possible, but it will depend on how our capital budget lands.”

– City representative on behalf of Mayor Nenshi’s office

The City needs to hear from all of us about how important it is to complete these projects and the order of priority, in these times of fiscal restraint.

Written submissions will be accepted at cityclerk@calgary.ca until noon on TODAY, November 20.

Council will also hear from the public on Monday, November 25. If you would like to make an in-person submission you can pre-register by calling the City Clerks at 403-268-5861.

Regards,

Your CRCAG Board