SR1 (Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir): The Void of Transparency, Accountability and Good Governance
Request: Join with us in the NRCB hearing process by completing the 4 minute survey at springbankcommunity. com. We are stronger together.
Refresher: SR1 is a massive earthen dike project between Redwood Meadows and RR33 in Springbank. 6800 acres and millions of tons of silt that will permanently reside behind an 8-story earthen berm that will retain warm, highly sedimented water in flood years.
The Government of Alberta (GoA) seems to think that buying out opponents is now the best approach to get the Springbank Dike Project (SR1) approved. Transportation Minister McIver has found a nice stash of taxpayer dollars to pay Rocky View County to sign a “Statement of Non-Objection” to SR1: $10 million in cash along with a commitment to various transportation improvements, including the new roundabout in Bragg Creek. Earlier this spring, McIver found $32 million to convince Tsuut’ina Nation to withdraw opposition to the project. What happens to resolving the objections raised by these past opponents of SR1? Do the Nation’s concerns about wildlife get scratched? Water quality? Scratched? Rocky View County’s concerns about the decision process, the environment and air quality? Scratched?
In 2018, RVC unanimously passed a motion to request GoA to halt SR1 on the basis of well-researched health, environmental and process concerns. Fast forward to 2020 and talks held behind closed doors. Carrots dangled? Sticks waggled? Conflicting accounts of what convinced RVC to stay quiet have emerged, but, other than a cursory press release, the exact details have not been released. The RVC Council decision raises many questions about RVC fulfilling its mandate and responsibilities to protect the environment along with the health and safety of its residents. The sudden withdrawal of RVC from the ongoing regulatory process sets an inexplicable and troubling dynamic. What this means for our western communities is anyone’s guess. It appears that concerned West Rocky View residents and organizations must now stand alone against a proponent with unlimited money, power and will. Not your typical regulatory process. Nonetheless, the stakes are high for everyone involved and we aren’t going anywhere. Our communities deserve representation. The abysmal process used to advance this project needs accountability.
Volunteers in Springbank, Bragg Creek, West Bragg Creek, and Redwood Meadows along with heritage landowners have invested thousands of hours since 2014 researching and understanding the problems with SR1. We have dug into government submissions, held community meetings and information sessions, prepared submissions to regulators and gathered letters of opposition. It was volunteers that convinced RVC to take a position on SR1 to begin with and, since the start, we have been laser focused on increasing transparency on SR1. So, when deals are struck but the details are not released, we are justifiably disappointed with our elected officials. When the expert report commissioned by Premier Kenney takes a year to be released, despite FOIP requests, we are mystified. When large scale mail-outs are commissioned by Alberta Transportation touting the theoretical benefits of SR1, we are frustrated, but resolute. We are working on a response to the mail-out. Stay tuned.
We will leave you with the words of the government’s own expert, Martin Ignasiak: “The issuance of 593 first round information requests, with several sub- questions, by provincial regulators…is unprecedented for a major project. I have worked on large-scale mining projects (which include processing facilities and engage far more environmental disciplines than SR1) that were subject to less than half this many information requests…”
Issues with SR1 are real. Help us fight for the future of our community. You can do three things:
- Learn more and read our submissions to regulators: visit springbankcommunity.com.
- Please immediately email CEAA (CEAA.Springbank.ACEE@ceaa-acee.gc.ca) and the NRCB (laura.friend@ nrcb.ca) with your concerns about SR1 along with the County and Tsuut’ina “Statements of Non-Objection”.
- Visit springbankcommunity.com to complete a quick survey that allows you to join with us in the regulatory process. Share the link with your friends and neighbors.
Karin Hunter
President, Springbank Community Association, on behalf of the Elbow River Sustainability Alliance
