On Thursday, the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change issued his decision regarding the Springbank Off-stream Reservoir (SR1) Project. The decision concludes that the project is not expected to cause significant adverse environmental effects after taking into account the proposed mitigations. Read the decision here.

The assessment of the Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir project has been marked as “complete” on the IAAC website and the final Environmental Assessment Report is posted.

A few hurdles left:

• Provincial cabinet approval of project
• Provincial supplementary applications: Water Act (Alberta Environment Parks (AEP)), Public Lands Act (AEP)
• Federal supplementary applications: Fisheries Act (Department Fisheries and Oceans)
• land acquisitions and/or expropriations (this process can begin after provincial cabinet approval)
  
  
  

To date, we have successfully acquired approximately 25% of the lands in the Project area through voluntary purchases. I am also pleased to advise the Board that we are in the process of finalizing acquisitions from an additional three SR1 landowners. When finalized, these acquisitions will increase to approximately 43% the amount of land secured by Alberta Transportation for the Project.

-Matthew Hebert, Alberta Transportation in its March 22, 2021 opening statement

Thanks again to all who’ve supported us through these many years of advocacy work. Together we have helped the provincial government move toward the completion of the project and navigate the bulk of the environmental regulatory approvals, which is a major step toward the protection for our great Elbow River communities and for our great city — come hell or high water.

Media coverage of federal approval:

• Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (news release) – Minister of Environment and Climate Change Approves the Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir Project
• Calgary Herald – Feds clear way for construction of Springbank dry dam
• CBC News – Springbank reservoir receives approval from federal minister, clearing major hurdle
• Cochrane Now – Federal Environment minister approves Springbank reservoir project

If you’d like to get in touch with us, reach out to info@crcactiongroup.com.

Regards,

Your CRCAG Board