The controversial Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir (SR1) project received a boost with the March 13 announcement of federal funding. Joined by dignitaries including Alberta Transportation Minister Brian Mason and Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi at Sweetgrass Lodge in Calgary’s ENMAX Park, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities François-Philippe Champagne announced the federal government would contribute up to $168.5 million for SR1. “It’s not every day, whether you’re a mayor, you’re a minister of provincial government or you’re a federal minister, that you get to impact the lives of 80,000 residents – not only for a generation, but for generations to come,” Champagne said. “That gives me great pleasure.” By planning ahead, Champagne said, the costs associated with natural disasters can be avoided and families can be protected. Across the country, he added, the consequences of climate change are undeniable, and the impacts of extreme weather events like the 2013 floods don’t go away by themselves. “With support of projects like the one we’re announcing today, we will make sure entire communities withstand future natural disasters and thrive for generations to come,” Champagne said. Not everyone, however, was pleased with the announcement. Lee Drewry, a landowner who will be impacted by the SR1 project and a member of the grassroots organization Don’t Damn Springbank, remains opposed to the project and the provincial government’s firm stance. “They do seem to be very committed,” Drewry said. “The bureaucrats are definitely dug in on it.” Despite recent developments, including the announcement of federal funding and the acquisition of 12 per cent of the required lands in January, Drewry said he has not swayed in his commitment to oppose what he called “a bad project.” According to the press release, SR1 continues to undergo a federal environmental assessment led by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, and construction will not begin until the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Canada have issued a decision statement. Additionally, aboriginal consultations continue, and the federal government must be satisfied that legal duty has been met before the reservoir can be built. Still, Mason noted, both the current and previous governments, “selected this as the best option to protect the homes of Calgarians, to protect the downtown of this city [and] to protect vital facilities.” He described the funding as “a very significant contribution” that demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to deal with impacts of climate change. “Our government is committed to building the Springbank Dam to protect Calgarians and businesses from a devastating flood like the one we saw in 2013,” Mason said in a press release. “I am happy to see this significant investment from the federal government as we continue to move forward with this critical project.” Don’t Damn Springbank, however, will be watching the regulatory process closely, according to Drewry. “We’ve got to be prepared for whatever comes out of that, whether the regulators says it’s a good project and proceed,” he said. “Then, we have to get ready for the provincial regulatory process and get all our ducks in order as to why this project shouldn’t be done. In the meantime, I think we’ve got to keep trying to convince those who are in power or will be in power that it’s just a bad project.”
