A8

CALGARY HERALD

Thurs., September 21, 1989

Resurrection of lake
a coincidence: Klein
By J i m C u n n i n g h a m
(Herald Edmonton bureau)

E D M O N T O N - Ralph Klein
says it's just a coincidence that
his department resurrected plans
to stabilize Buffalo Lake right
after Premier Don Getty became
the area's M L A .
"It really hasn't got anything
to do with M r . Getty." Klein told
reporters Wednesday when ques­
tioned about Environment De­
partment plans to do an environ­
mental impact assessment of the
$14-million,scheme to pump wa­
ter from the Red Deer River into
the lake. The lake is 19 kilo­
metres northwest of Stettler.
"Something would have been
done with that lake whether or
not the premier was the M L A , "
Klein said.
"The problem isn't with M r .
Getty. He didn't create the prob­
lem,. God created the problem.
And Environment can fix the
problem."
The Environment Department
unveiled plans for an impact as­
sessment of the diversion after
getting a report earlier this year
which claims the scheme won't
cause algae growth to choke the
lake water.

KLEIN: Plan defended
Three earlier studies by the
government had concluded that
water from the river, which con­
tains phosphorous, would pro­
mote the growth of algae and
effectively destroy the lake as a

recreational area despite stabili­
zation of the water level.
Getty was elected Stettler
M L A last May in a byelection
after losing his home riding of
Edmonton W h i t em ud in the
March general election. He is
currently i n the process of
buying land for a home overlook­
ing Buffalo Lake.
In July, the Transportation
Department announced plans to
pave the Secondary Highway
near the land Getty is buying.
Klein admitted there is "still
some doubt" about the effect of
river water on the lake. "That's
why we have to do the environ­
mental impact assessment and go
through the public hearing pro­
cess."
But the minister said action to
stablize the lake is likely, despite
the concerns,
Klein said angry cottage own­
ers have swamped his office with
demands for action to curb fluctu­
ations in the lake level.
Buffalo Lake is "a mess. It's
diminishing," he said, adding
that $14 million isn't too much
to pay to correct the problem.
"In fact,l think that's cheap at
twice the price."