Six years ago, Bragg Creek and Red Meadows were among communities hit by one of the worst floods in Canadian history.
Today, many of their residents remain miffed by the Alberta Government's support of the Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir (SR1). As time has gone on, they're becoming more vocal about how this solution will do nothing to protect them against flood, let alone drought and wildfire.
Over 200 people attended a presentation Monday night lead by the Springbank Community Association (SCA) at the Bragg Creek Community Centre that examined what they believe are shortfallings of SR1. The focus was on providing science-backed reasons for why McLean Creek would be a better choice for the project.
SCA president Karin Hunter says people have come to realize this is not just a fight between 20 landowners and the Alberta Government.
"I'm so pleased as western communities we've come together to talk about this important project because it impacts us all," says Hunter, who is not one of the landowners affected. "It impacts us in Springbank in so many negative ways and it's such a lost opportunity for these upstream communities to get true flood and drought mitigation and fire protection for everyone."
"What we're asking the government to do is broaden the lens of how they're looking at this project. It's more than just flood mitigation. If they start to look at drought and fire and water security then maybe there's a huge opportunity for a big win and a legacy piece for this government.".
Lee Drewry, of Don't Damn Springbank who was present in the audience, is pleased the Springbank Community Association has stepped up their opposition.
The next step is bringing the conversation to Calgary, says Hunter.
"They need to hear there's more to this than a sound bite. We need to make it more than that. We need to show that there are true issues here. We're not just concerned because it affects our community. We're concerns about it because it's not a great project. It's not a great outcome for anyone."
Rocky View Councillor Mark Kamachi believes the battle is as important as ever and he remains concerned about the lack of consultation with both Rocky View County and the Tsuu T'ina Nation.
"You hear about how Tsuu T'ina was never consulted," says Kamachi. "We were never really consulted. There was all this pressure from Calgary and our government went along with it."
"I think It's important we keep reminding people so we don't get complacent. New facts are being brought to the table and we needed the update. I would have really been pissed off if the room was empty tonight. I'm glad to see it was a full house and people are on top of the issue."
The parking lot of Kamachi's office was used as a rescue staging area the day of the flood. The restaurant right next door was destroyed and it's owner lost a business he had spent five years establishing.
Kamachi's remembers well being up to his hips in the flood water.
"I remember going in to help grab bottles of wines and food that was in the restaurant. From my office, I was watching the water go up. If you were sitting in the restaurant you would have had water up to your chest."
Yet he says there's more to the issue than flooding.
"Right now, there is more chance of wildfire than another flood. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. Ghost Lake is 20 minutes away, so right now if there's a fire it's not a matter of protecting homes, it's a matter of getting out."
Dr. Karen Massey, of Redwood Meadows, was at her office in Calgary when she got the call.
"I jumped in my car and raced home. They actually didn't want to let me through the roundabout because the water was already going over the top and it was very scary. I arrived in Redwood and it was like a ghost town."
Massey became active with Don't Damn Springbank about three years ago and has held meetings even longer at her Redwood Meadows home. She says support continues to grow.
"We are definitely in it for the long term because this is the wrong decision. We need upstream protection that doesn't just favour Calgary, it needs to include the rest of us.
"We're planting the seeds now. It's all about our kids and grandkids and, as the Tsuu T'ina view it, it's seven generations that we have to try and protect going forward. When it's a wrong decision we need to stand up against it and get more protection going forward."
It was lifetime Bragg Creek resident Barb Tetmeyer, of the Trading Post, who gave the call to action at the end of the presentation.
"It needs to accommodate everybody," she says. "Nobody should be left out and this Springbank dam accommodates one purpose for one community. I don't think that is right when all Albertans are paying the bill."
Another flood isn't necessarily her biggest fear right now. She's also concerned about drought and fire.
"In 1962, my dad wrote in a neighbour's journal that the Elbow River was going to dry up. My dad hasn't let me down yet."
Other speakers included Tsuu T'ina spokesman Kevin Littlelight, Dave Klepacki, Bragg Creek FireSmart chair Gary Nikiforuk and meeting chair David Rupert.
Scoffing at 8,000 pages of answers
Don't Damn Springbank is reviewing in detail the 8,000 pages of answers provided to regulators by the Alberta Government.
"We've had a quick look at them and there are still a lot of questions remaining," says Drewry.
The biggest question is his mind is why it took 8,000 pages to justify the project.
"Why would take 8,000 pages to try and rationale this project? If it's a good project it should take 800 pages or less. It just tells you how bad of project this is when it takes that much to effort to try and convince regulators that it's actually benign when it's actually a malignant project."
Fri, May 3, 3:30 PM
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