Province extends feedback on Bow River reservoir proposal facing pushback – Calgary | 24CA News
As the Government of Alberta gathers suggestions on two upstream reservoir proposals on the Bow River, opposition round one of many choices continues to develop.
The Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation held an replace Wednesday to debate its ongoing dialogue with the provincial authorities over its issues round impacts to the world.
“It would completely destroy the brand-new Haskayne Legacy Park that opened not even a year ago,” mentioned Jeromy Farkas, former Calgary metropolis councillor and mayoral candidate, and present CEO of the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation.
“It would also have an impact on about half of the 3,000 acres at Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park.”
The newest spherical of engagement on the positioning of the long run upstream reservoir on April 15, which asks for suggestions on two of the three potential choices studied by the province.
The three upstream reservoir proposals being studied by the provincial authorities.
Courtesy: Government of Alberta
The first possibility is the Glenbow East Dam, which might begin within the western fringe of Calgary, which might require the relocation of the present Canadian Pacific Kansas City Southern rail line and probably the flooding of a big selection of park area.
The second possibility is decommissioning the present Ghost Dam and relocating it additional downstream.
A 3rd choice to create a dam close to Morley on the Stoney Nakoda First Nation can also be being studied, however a provincial spokesperson mentioned the proposal “is not ready for public engagement at this time.”
A 2020 evaluation of the potential websites categorized the downstream effectiveness of the Glenbow East Dam as “very good,” whereas the opposite two choices’ effectiveness was listed as “good.”
The report famous that whereas every of the proposals would have environmental impacts, essentially the most pronounced can be on the big selection of park area close to the Glenbow East website.
Farkas instructed Global News the Glenbow East Dam wouldn’t defend close by Cochrane within the occasion of a flood or drought, which is among the explanation why he’s advocating for the Ghost Dam possibility.
His perception is the relocation of the Ghost Dam would have the least impression to individuals and space wildlife as its increasing on an present reservoir.
“It’s relatively narrow but relatively deep, which enables it to hold an equivalent amount of water but also allow for less evaporation to happen,” Farkas added.
The report additionally estimated the prices for the Glenbow East possibility at $992 million, adopted by the Morley possibility at $922 million and the Ghost Dam relocation at $917 million.
A spokesperson for the minister of Environment and Parks mentioned public engagement over the course of three years has been “extensive and far-reaching.”
“Engagement conducted from 2021-23 included virtual live sessions, in-person meetings with property owners, online webinars and dozens of meetings with stakeholder groups, including the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation,” Ryan Fournier mentioned in a press release to Global News. “The current public engagement is a follow-up to that important work.”
Consultations proceed on two proposals to construct an upstream reservoir on the Bow River.
Global News
Fournier famous Minister Rebecca Schulz has directed division officers to increase the present spherical of engagement one other week to May 13.
Jean Woeller, a Calgary resident and president of the Bowness Responsible Flood Mitigation Society, mentioned one other upstream reservoir on the Bow River is important for each flood and drought safety.
“If we can get more reservoir capacity upstream of Calgary, it benefits us in Bowness from flooding from groundwater and overland by slowing the rate of the river flow, it also offers more water for irrigation,” she instructed Global News.
A choice from the province is anticipated someday subsequent yr, nevertheless, an upstream reservoir isn’t prone to be operational earlier than 2034, in line with the newest provincial timelines.
Woeller mentioned she hopes the province picks the proposal with the very best capability to sluggish the river movement price.
“We’re not tied to one particular option,” she mentioned. “But, we’re looking for protection.”
© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
