Water diversion
project 'cheap'
at $14 million
Lake 'mess' in Getty's riding
deserves cleanup-minister
LYNDA SHORTEN
Journal Staff Writer

will bloom, it will not be in levels
as unacceptable asfirstpredicted.
Klein acknowledged his depart­
ment remains concerned about the
A $14-million water diversion environmental impact of the pro­
project to improve the fishing near posed diversion.
the premiers Stettler home is
"There is still some doubt right
"cheap at twice the price," says now. That's why we have to do the
Alberta Environment Minister environmental impact assessment
Ralph Klein.
and go through the public hearing
Klein told reporters Wednesday process and see if it works out."
Buffalo Lake is "a mess," and de­
Klein said Getty did nothing
serves a $14-million fix-up. The more than any other Stettler MLA
lake is "a resource in Central has done to draw attention to the
Alberta."
Buffalo Lake problem.
"It's an area that has very, very
"He acted no differently than
few lakes," Klein said. "In my any other MLA who might have a
mind, yes, it's worth $14 million. problem in their constituency. Just
As a matter of fact I think it's because he is the premier, is he
cheap at twice the price if we can not then entitled to addresss a
do something and do something problem in his constituency?"
right."
Klein added: "The fact is some­
Premier Don Getty's planned thing would have been done with
new Stettler home overlooks the that lake whether or not the pre­
lake. An Alberta Environment re­ mier was the MLA."
port commissioned just months af­
Cabin owners on the lake, 19 km
ter Getty won the Stettler northwest of Stettler, have com­
byelection contradicts all earlier plained since 1978 that fluctuating
studies by saying the lake won't be water levels interfere with their
harmed by the diversion.
boating,fishingand swimming.
Government studies in 1982,
The diversion was mothballed in
1984 and again in 1987 all con­ 1984. Klein said the assessment
cluded that diverting Red Deer process should be complete in
River water into the lake would about six months.
cause algae to choke the waters.
The environment minister's cost
Recreation would be hurt, and not estimate for the diversion is $1
helped.
million lower than the estimate
The new study, released earlier given
out
by
department
this week, said that while algae spokesmen earlier in the week.
Edmonton