CALGARY – The City of Calgary will get more than $12 million in funding for flood-protection projects as part of a $25-million package the provincial government is providing for communities in southern Alberta.
The grants, announced on Friday, will help fund mitigation projects in five municipalities and one First Nation after the biggest natural disaster in Alberta’s history.
The Calgary money is earmarked for construction of a berm along the eastern perimeter of the Bonnybrook Wastewater Treament Plant and construction of a flood barrier along the Bow River, downstream of Eau Claire to the Peace Bridge.
Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said the projects are vital for public safety.
“The two particular projects at the Bonnybrook waste treatment plant and the berm in the west Eau Claire area are vital to protecting our community, local businesses and all of downtown Calgary.”
“Flood resiliency remains the top priority for Calgary city council,” Nenshi said. “More than ever – particularly during this difficult fiscal climate – we need to move swiftly to keep people working, to build infrastructure that Albertans need and to move swiftly to protect our communities from future damages.”
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Calgary was among several communities in southern Alberta damaged by widespread flooding in June 2013.
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“It’s been two-and-a-half years since floodwaters swept across southern Alberta, devastating families and businesses and inflicting serious damage to our infrastructure and economy,” Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said.
During a news conference in Calgary on Friday, Notley renewed the government’s commitment to proceed with plans for the Springbank off-stream reservoir, which is still undergoing environmental assessments and landowner negotiations.
“As we move forward with the Springbank Reservoir project, it’s critical to also invest in our local flood defences to ensure people are safe, infrastructure is protected, and businesses continue to operate without interruption,” Notley said.
But, some concerned citizens groups say this upstream project is moving too slowly for their liking and won’t be finished until 2020.
”We need to see that environmental impact assessment now…and we need to see the detailed engineering drawings now,” Calgary River Communities Action Group’s Anthony Morris said. “And we need to see shovels in the soil as soon as possible.”
The projects receiving money on Friday will be completed by 2017.
Other communities receiving funding include Drumheller, Siksika Nation, Chestermere, Turner Valley and the Municipal District of Bighorn No. 8.
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