The Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) hearing on the Springbank Offstream Reservoir (SR1) project has now closed. The 11-day oral hearing saw testimony from dozens of witnesses from March 22 to April 7, 2021.
Our closing argument was presented on April 6, 2021 by our external counsel, Lou Cusano from the Torys law firm.
If you missed it, you can watch a recording on the NRCB’s YouTube channel here: Hearing day 6 (CRCAG/FFC at 03:23:30 to 04:12:45) or read it here.
Now, as we approach yet another flood season and the 8th anniversary of the Southern Alberta Floods, we will wait with bated breath for a decision from the NRCB.
The board has said it expects to issue a decision report within 80 working days, so before the end of July.
If the NRCB decides SR1 is in the public interest, what are the next steps? If NRCB approval is issued, the provincial regulatory review can progress to conclusion as well as the federal process (currently finalizing the EAR). Plus, supplementary applications have been filed both provincially (Water Act, Public Lands Act) and federally (Fisheries Act) that require approval before construction can commence. Once the project is given full regulatory approval, the project will still require:
- provincial cabinet approval of project
- land acquisitions and/or expropriations
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
Watch the recordings of the hearing on YouTube.
Access documents on the Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir Project page.
Media coverage:
- 660 News – Springbank community continues to pushback against reservoir
- 660 News – Review hears closing arguments into proposed reservoir to protect Calgary from floods
- Airdrie Today – NRCB public hearing underway for Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir
- Calgary Herald – Fight over approval of contentious Springbank dry dam enters final stretch
- Canadian Underwriter – Review hears closing arguments into proposed reservoir to protect Calgary from floods
- CBC News – Public interest review begins into proposed Springbank reservoir to protect Calgary from floods
- Cochrane Now – SR1 Concern Landowners Group starts to unfold arguments on Tuesday
- Cochrane Today – Public interest review begins for controversial Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir
- CTV News – Public interest review begins into proposed reservoir to protect Calgary from floods
- Global News – Public interest review begins into proposed reservoir to protect Calgary from floods
- Globe & Mail – Closing arguments being held in review of proposed reservoir intended to protect Calgary from floods
If you’d like to get in touch with us, reach out to info@crcactiongroup.com.
Regards,
Your CRCAG Board