Buffalo diversion gets passing grade

Buffalo diversion gets passing grade RICHARD HELM . ' A ^ ' Journal Staff Writer i f< 5 c Edmonton A $ 15- million plan to pump riv­er- water into Buffalo Lake will have little impact on its water-quality or aquatic life, a report concludes. That finding in a draft summary of a government- comissioned re­port contradicts three earlier stud­ies that warned the diversion of water from the Red Deer River could choke the lake with algae growth. " The use of Red Deer River wa­ter to stabilize lake levels would have little impact on the water quality of Buffalo Lake," says the report by Environmental Manage­ment Associates of Calgary. The report also concludes the water diversion will cause a slight improvement to the area's fisher­ies habitat and boost the lake's population of northern pike and muskrat. New Democrat Environment critic John Mclnnis said Wednes­day there may be merit to the re­port's passing grade for the lake's water quality but he still questions the need for the project " It's contrary to the general pol­icy of Alberta Environment which these days is to try and leave these prairie lakes well enough alone," Mclnnis said. He said he still suspects Alberta Environment was ordered by the area's MLA, Premier Don Getty, to take the project " off the back shelf where it's been for several years. The lake is located 19 km northwest of Stettler and provides part of the panoramic view from Getty's new country home. Both Getty and Environment Minister Ralph Klein have dismiss­ed the suggestion. But Liberal environment critic Grant Mitchell remains skeptical. " The question remains, why are we doing it?" Mitchell said Wednesday.