Safety

To   IAAC

Jan 21 2020
 

Subject  -  Springbank SR1 Project

As a long term resident of the Springbank area I have followed the proposed project since the beginning. As became evident early on the project quickly turned into a political/bureaucratic fast track project. As almost all fast track debacles previously done by government and bureaucrats SR1 has turned out over budget and behind schedule. SR1 will eventually turn out to be the mother of all debacles. And that does not include operating cost and post flood clean ups that will be way over forecast costs.

In following the proposed project, I was surprised there were no Federal or Provincial ministries responsible for the safety of dam design and/or oversite. And no regulation requiring post construction safety of people around the project other than a whole lot of requirements to monitor possible effects then mitigate adverse effects. I see no requirement to spell out or produce a plan that details this mitigation prior to the need. For instance, what if a monitor near the schools (over 2,000 students and staff) detects high levels of toxic dust during a windstorm, what is the mitigation plan that should be in place prior to this very real threat. Oh, right there is no plan. We are not even sure who should develop a plan for a school threat. Should we demand a plan from the School Board, Rocky View, the Provincial Govt, Fed Govt or who? Maybe we should ask the school kids to produce one. It would probably be superior to something from any Govt, bureaucrat or consultants.

An even more frightening situation would be leakage of the earth dam, overtopping or a breach of some kind. People’s lives would be at risk. Property damage would be huge – an order of magnitude larger that 2013. Most insurance will not cover overland flooding – it will be on Alberta taxpayers. Damage could extend to Glenmore Dam and possibly beyond. At an absolute minimum, and evacuation plan should be developed for the maybe 50,000 people that could be affected.  But wait – who will develop this plan. Not Rockyview County – they have already abandoned the people out here on the West side. Not the Alta Govt – SR1 was a short term political decision and they have demonstrated no interest in the longer term or the people possibly affected. Alta Govt has an emergency department but nothing from them in the last 7 years. Fed Govt possibly but nothing on safety – nothing. There is risk attached to SR1. It is definitely low but it is real.

When I read the Prov Govt submissions and the Fed Govt responses I see that for every page about effects on the people impacted by SR1 there are 15 pages(?) about fish and birds. Not the other way around. No level of govt has put people first. Disgraceful. A straight up political/bureaucratic decision by the Prov Govt aided by Rockyview councilors rolling over for 20 pieces of silver, leaves the people on the outside looking in.

 There are many very good submissions and comments made by individuals and community groups at NRCB and IAAC websites. I encourage people to read some.

Brian Hunter