Within 80 days of the hearing's end, we'll find out whether or not the Springbank Off-stream Reservoir (SR1) project will proceed. 

The Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) panel's public hearing on SR1 begins Monday and is expected to last 10 to 14 days.

Way back in 2014, Premier Jim Prentice announced the project, and the last seven years have been leading up to this moment.

Over the years, both the Notley and Kenney governments have reconfirmed their support of the project, seeing it as the answer to flood mitigation on the Elbow River to protect Calgary and downstream municipalities. In that time, the cost has mushroomed to $432 million and counting. It was thought to be a $372 million in 2017.

Opposition from Rocky View County, some first nations, and some residents has evaporated over recent years. A breakthrough came for the government when the Robinson family agreed to sell about 188 hectares of land to the province for the project back in October 2019. Up until that point, Ryan Robinson had been the spokesperson for Don't Damn Springbank.

The gauntlet has long since been picked up by groups like the SR1 Concerned Landowners Group, headed by Karin Hunter.

Hunter, also president of the Springbank Community Association, has committed thousands of hours of her time to convince the government to set aside the project and pursue other mitigation measures.

"It's not my house on the line, it's not my land on the line, but it is my community on the line," says Hunter. "And to the extent that if I can make this little bit of effort and make it count towards something that will have a positive impact over time, then it's time well spent."

The landowner group is scheduled to speak Tuesday afternoon followed by their experts addressing five major topics related to the project.

She says their experts have revealed how poor of a job the province has done on informing Albertans of the impact of the project.

"Frankly, I don't think the Government of Alberta, Alberta Transportation have done a good job of explaining the consequences of this project because now it is evident to us that there are serious design limitations with SR1 that wouldn't exist with an instream dam that may affect safety and properties and the lives of hundreds of thousands of people."

She seeks transparency on the payouts and promises made by the province to convince Rocky View County and several First Nations to withdraw their objections.

She maintains the payouts won't match the damage SR1 will cause.

"You know, you could do like Rocky View County did and roll over, suck on a big cheque, or you can try to stand up and do what's right and try to get the best outcome possible for your community and all the risks and downsides mitigated."

The NRCB's mandate is to determine whether the proposed project is in the public interest, taking into account the project’s social, economic, and environmental effects.

Six parties, plus Alberta Transportation, are expected to participate. Several of the parties registered are coalitions of people with common interests. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hearing will be held in a virtual format and live-streamed on YouTube for public viewing.

The NRCB is an independent, quasi-judicial board of the Government of Alberta, established by the Natural Resources Conservation Board Act. 

 

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