The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) has requested additional information be added to Alberta Transportation’s June 14 response to the Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir Project (SR1) information requests. In its July 16 letter to Alberta Transportation, CEAA cites five overarching issues that occur in the 8,000-page response. “not all of the information provided in response to our original requests are sufficient for the purpose of moving forward with the environmental assessment.” […]
A six year anniversary and a broken regulatory system
Canada’s regulatory system is broken. It’s what we’ve experienced the last six years, and it’s what former MLA for Calgary-Elbow Greg Clark discussed in his letter to the Calgary Herald this week. As we commemorate the sixth anniversary of the 2013 Southern Alberta Floods, we reflect on how far we’ve come but also on how far we’ve yet to go. “Both [previous] governments, and now the UCP, have followed the […]
Alberta Transportation submits responses to SR1 information requests
On Friday, Alberta Transportation announced that its responses to the Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir (SR1) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) information requests had been submitted. In the 8,000-page response, the ministry answers nearly 600 questions collected from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA), Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB), and Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP). The work to answer these questions has been ongoing since June 2018, when the first information requests were […]
Opponents continue to push McLean Creek Reservoir, but here’s why it was rejected
“Opponents believe the change in government will give them another shot at convincing politicians to reconsider.” That’s what CBC Calgary reported in their article Proposed Springbank reservoir faces renewed, invigorated opposition and in their news broadcast (video at 16:30) last week. But the facts haven’t changed. The Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir (SR1) was chosen as (and still is) the superior project for the Province to move forward with. “The Springbank project […]
SR1 in media, CRCAG asks Transportation Minister McIver to move swiftly on project
With flood season upon us, there is no shortage of media coverage on the issue of flood mitigation and, as usual, some of it is troubling. Last week, the Calgary Herald published an opinion article This is Ric McIver’s second shot at building the Springbank dam; good luck to him by Don Braid that highlighted MLA Banff-Kananaskis Miranda Rosin’s controversial stance on the Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir Project (SR1). “We need […]
Flood protection for Bragg Creek and Redwood Meadows
It is important to remember that the upstream communities of Bragg Creek and Redwood Meadows are not forgotten and will, in fact, have flood protections in place before Calgary will be protected by the Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir Project (SR1). Bragg Creek Flood Mitigation Project Project proponent: Rocky View CountyLevel of protection: 1:100 year flood eventProject status: unknownAnticipated completion: Fall 2019 Landscaped earthen berms and retention walls will be erected along […]
Expert regulatory lawyer appointed to expedite SR1 project
In one of his first moves as Alberta’s new Transportation Minister, MLA Calgary-Hays Ric McIver has appointed expert regulatory lawyer Martin Ignasiak to assess opportunities to expedite construction of the Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir. “We need an independent expert to evaluate the Springbank Reservoir project and determine what can be done to move this project forward. We are confident that Mr. Ignasiak will help us move quickly to protect the safety and […]
UCP finally announces its clear commitment to the completion of Springbank Off-stream Reservoir
It’s official. Yesterday, following Monday’s throne speech, Premier Rachel Notley dropped the writ and announced Alberta’s provincial election will take place on April 16. In recent weeks there has been a lot of media coverage on the issue of flood mitigation, with two stories gaining significant attention; first, the Federal government’s actual funding of $168.5 million funding for the Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir (SR1) and, subsequently, the Star Metro and Mayor Nenshi’s call-out of the UCP for their […]
Federal gov’t announces $168.5 million funding for Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir (SR1)
The federal government announced today that the Federal Treasury Board has approved $168.5 million to help fund the Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir Project (SR1). This is huge news. Coupled with the recent announcement of significant land acquisitions for the project, it seems inconceivable it will not be supported by political parties of all stripes. If only we had that certainty. The funding will be provided by Infrastructure Canada’s […]
BREAKING: Robinson family agrees to sell land needed for Springbank Project
This afternoon, the Government of Alberta announced that it has reached an agreement with the Robinson family to acquire 188 hectares (465 acres) of land required for the Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir (SR1). With this latest acquisition, the province has now purchased 20 percent of the total 1,566 hectares (3,870 acres) of land required for the project. As you know, the Robinsons have opposed the SR1 project since it was first announced by the […]