See! Big upstream mitigation projects can get regulatory approval!

Last week, the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) issued approval of the Cougar Creek debris and flood retention structure, after a review by the NRCB found the project to be in the public interest.

This is a huge milestone, bringing Canmore one step closer to getting the flood protection it so badly needs. It is also an encouraging development, proving that it is possible to get large-scale flood mitigation projects approved.

In the words of CRCAG Co-President, Tony Morris, this news is “a shot in the arm” and proof that we are on the right path.

The Cougar Creek project will now be subject to approval from the provincial Lieutenant Governor in Council, approval under the Water Act, and will require a land disposition agreement with Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) before proceeding.

But we ask you, what provincial government in its right mind, regardless of political stripe, would ever fail to give final approval to an upstream mitigation project, approved by all regulatory authorities and fully funded, that saves lives, livelihoods and property? Anyone?

And what political party would, right now, hesitate to state its commitment to doing so for any planned project, once those approvals are obtained? And why might that be?

The Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir project is currently progressing through the EIA review phase. It is expected that Alberta Transportation will submit a response to recent CEAA information requests by mid-December, which will restart the regulatory clock (currently paused at day 110 of 365).

Cougar Creek debris and flood retention structure

The project’s construction costs alone are estimated at $38 million. The provincial and federal governments are contributing $44.87 million for project construction and ancillary activities such as the environmental impact assessment, structure design and dam safety review.

The structure, which would be 30 metres high and 95 metres wide, will hold back 650,000 cubic metres of water and sediment in a retention basin for a number of hours during a major flood event. By comparison, there was about 90,000 cubic metres of debris in the 2013 flood, which led to the evacuation of 1,200 residents from 300 homes near the creek.

Construction is expected to take 30 months.

• January 2015 – Canmore city council approves project
• July 2016 – Town of Canmore submits EIA to AEP
• July 2016 – Town of Canmore files an application with AEP under the Water Act
• August 19, 2016 – Town of Canmore files its formal application to the NRCB to construct a debris flood retention structure and access road on Cougar Creek
• September 2016 – Public notice of NRCB and AEP undertaking a review of the application
• July 2016 to March 2018 – EIA and application review (including three information requests)
• March 23, 2018 – EIA and application deemed complete
• April 11 to May 22, 2018 – Invitation for public feedback
• May 24, 2018 – NRCB determined that the review would proceed to a written review (rather than hearings)
• November 15, 2018 – NRCB approval

For additional information on the project including links to key documents, visit Natural Resource Projects/Cougar Creek Debris Flood Retention Structure.

Media coverage:

• NRCB press release
• Rocky Mountain Outlook – Canmore gets NRCB approval for Cougar Creek debris dam
• The Bow Valley Crag & Canyon – NRCB announces approval for Cougar Creek debris dam

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

Regards,

Your CRCAG Board