One of the biggest remaining hurdles for the Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir project (SR1) was provincial cabinet approval of the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) decision. That hurdle has now been cleared. Effectively, the Provincial and Federal regulatory approval processes are now concluded, and our Provincial Government is officially committed to completing SR1.

On October 6, the Lieutenant Governor in Council authorized the NRCB’s decision report on SR1 (that concluded SR1 was in the public interest) which has allowed the NRCB to issue its formal approval of the SR1 application. Read the cabinet approval and the subsequent October 19th NRCB approval.

It is important to recognize the vast amount of inter-agency work that has been required to navigate SR1’s regulatory approvals. Our sincere thanks to all the public servants at Transportation and AEP, as well as the consultants and contractors, who have worked on this file—the level of professionalism and dedication has been greatly appreciated.

What’s left:

• 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 (the expropriation process can begin now that Provincial cabinet approval has been granted

Next steps now underway:

• preconstruction requirements (historical, archaeological, environmental monitoring, etc)
• procurement process (request for proposals, securing construction contracts)

The above work is not anticipated to alter the estimated timeline for site preparation in early New Year with construction to begin in late-Spring/early-Summer 2022. Full completion of SR1 (to accommodate a 2013-sized flood event) will be Spring 2025, but SR1 will protect up to a 100-year flood in spring 2024.

Related posts:

• July 8, 2021 – BREAKING: Federal minister approves Springbank Off-stream Reservoir
• June 28, 2021 – Next steps for SR1 now that it’s NRCB approved
• March 26, 2021 – Recording of CRCAG/FFC’s at hearing. Plus, next steps for hearing and beyond.
• February 17, 2021 – SR1 Environmental Impact Assessment deemed complete by AEP
• January 21, 2021 – Draft Environmental Assessment Report for SR1 issued — a key milestone for the federal regulatory review
• June 14, 2019 – Alberta Transportation submits responses to SR1 information requests

Thanks again to all who’ve supported us through these many years of advocacy work, through your responses to our numerous Calls-To-Action, our fundraising requests and for your heartfelt and thoughtful submissions in support of our NRCB application last March. Everything has helped us help you.

If you have any questions or comments for us, please reach out at info@crcactiongroup.com.

Regards,

Your CRCAG Board