A CALL TO ACTION

WE NEED YOUR IMMEDIATE SUPPORT FOR THE SPRINGBANK OFF-STREAM RESERVOIR

http://www.alberta.ca/springbank-road.cfm

Dear CRCAG Members,
 
It has come to our attention that a public rally at Calgary’s McDougall Center is being organized for this Thursday, March 5, 11 am to 1 pm, in support of a proposed upstream mitigation project on the Elbow River, the McLean Creek Dam (“MC1”) and against the Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir (“SR1”) option.
 
Go to http://www.dammclean.org for additional information.
 
While CRCAG has publically supported the completion of all three upstream mitigation projects (SR1, MC1 and the Glenmore Reservoir Diversion Tunnel), we’ve always known that fiscal and political realities may prompt the Alberta Government to make priority choices. We’re also aware that as more time passes between the 2013 floods, regardless of their devastation, and the commencement of construction of meaningful upstream mitigation projects, the greater the risk that such projects won’t be started at all. Calgary simply can not see that happen.
 
Given all the information available to us, we have for some time supported the completion of SR1 as soon as possible, not to the exclusion of MC1 or the Tunnel, but as a critically important, feasible and effective mitigation strategy that can be expedited. Through its work, the Alberta Government reached the same conclusion. Last week’s release of IBI’s independent cost-benefit financial analysis on all three projects only reinforced this (http://alberta.ca/flood-mitigation-studies.cfm).
 
If priority choices have to be made, our clear view is that SR1 is superior to MC1: it can be constructed years earlier than MC1 and without as many fundamental contingencies to its completion. We also understand that additional mitigation plans for Bragg Creek and Redwood Meadows are projected to be effective and cost approximately $9M, and that details should soon be released publically by the Government.
 
At this time we are not suggesting that CRCAG Members attend Thursday’s rally in opposition. But we do wish to have our many voices heard clearly by our Premier and this Government. We ask you to send TODAY the following letter, supplemented or amended as you see fit, to Premier Prentice at: premier@gov.ab.ca

Dear Premier Prentice,
 
I am writing to you to express my strong support for the proposed Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir (SR1) as the first key flood mitigation infrastructure to be built on the Elbow River following the devastating 2013 floods in Calgary.
 
I understand that the Provincial Government’s consideration of the other two mitigation infrastructure projects, being the McLean Creek Dam (MC1) and the Glenmore Reservoir Diversion Tunnel, is ongoing. This is necessary as our City requires and deserves upstream mitigation in excess of the 1:100 year standard, given its historical experience and the tremendous risk to Alberta’s citizens and economy when, and not if, Calgary’s downtown suffers its next flood event.
 
But in this current period of fiscal restraint faced by all Albertans, if first project priorities must be made, I support SR1 wholeheartedly given its relative projected effectiveness, cost and timeline for completion. In fact, I urge you to optimize the SR1 project to its maximum capacity to exceed the 1:100 year standard, given the reduced marginal costs to do so.
 
Thank you for your ongoing support of this City.
 
Yours Sincerely,
 
 
___________________________________
 
Please take a moment RIGHT NOW to send our Premier and this Government our clear message of support for SR1.
 
As always, our thanks,
 
Your CRCAG Team