Dear Editor, On Dec. 11, 2018, Rocky View County (RVC) council voted unanimously to ask Alberta Environment (AE) to halt a controversial flood mitigation project west of the City of Calgary. So, what did the County do this time – as the blame always falls on the County – that Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi finds so “deeply offensive?” Council voted to ask the province not to expropriate almost 700 acres of County land to benefit the City of Calgary. This is not the first time these two municipalities have clashed in a development quarrel. Whether having to ask the Municipal Government Board to intervene in annexation negotiations (the City could be accused of being a mite greedy when taking land for future development) or the hullabaloo over CrossIron Mills shopping centre and water rights, the City and the County have rarely gotten along. So, why would AE halt the project? Anyone living near the banks of the Bow and Elbow rivers in June 2013 will remember the devastation from the flood. Both the County and the City were inundated with several feet of flood waters, resulting in millions of dollars in damage to infrastructure. The Alberta Government stepped up and promised millions of dollars for flood mitigation along the rivers in both municipalities. One of those projects is the Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir (SR1). Was SR1 the only mitigation project considered? Was RVC part of the decision-making process? Was the Tsuut’ina Nation properly consulted, considering the proximity of Redwood Meadows? According to the report discussed at the RVC council meeting Dec. 11, 2018, the answer to those questions is no. Disturbing 700 acres of natural pasture land, causing the possible shut-down of the Kiwanis camp for underprivileged kids, impacting 87 homes and removing the agricultural livelihood of county landowners – all for a city more than 15 kilometres away; it seems RVC council and the residents have more right to be offended than Nenshi and Calgary council. There was another option – one that would not impact landowners, Tsuut’ina Nation lands, or remove 700 acres of viable agricultural land. McLean Creek (MC1) would be constructed on provincially-owned land situated upstream of SR1 and would offer protection to Bragg Creek, Redwood Meadows, Kamp Kiwanis, Springbank and Calgary. While Nenshi’s concern for future flooding within Calgary city limits is certainly appropriate, and no one wants a repeat of the 2013 inundation, RVC should not have to bear the burden of the consequences of the project. It is now up to the province to revisit whether McLean Creek may be a better option. Scrapping SR1 was a promise of the Notley government, and 2019 is an election year. Maybe it’s time for RVC council and residents to contact their MLA. Kari Major Former RVC planner
