Buffalo Lake scheme too costly, study says

A12 CALGARY HERALD Thurs., March 28,1991 Buffalo Lake scheme too costly, study says By Ashley Geddes ( Herald Edmonton bureau) EDMONTON — A plan to boost the water level in Buffalo Lake near Premier Don Getty's country estate will cost more than it's worth, a study shows. A consultant's study released Wednesday estimates the econom­ic benefits at $ 2 million less than the $ 13.1 million project's cost. The cost- benefit analysis in the study by Environmental Manage­ment Associates shows that most of the quantifiable benefits of the project would accrue to existing and future cottage owners near the lake. Getty, who built a home over­looking the lake after winning a byelection in the Stettler riding, shrugged off opposition criticism of the project, saying it's still be­ing reviewed and no final decision has been made. But New Democrat environ­ment critic John Mclnnis ques­tioned why the government is pushing ahead with a project that's a loser from an economic point of view. Mclnnis noted the study shows nearly all of the $ 11 million in economic benefits will go to prop­erty owners in the vicinity of the lake. Mclnnis asked Getty in the legislature to justify why taxpay­ers' money is going " to support a project which is an economic los­er and benefits only the property owners in the area." But Speaker David Carter pre­vented Getty from answering the question, saying: " That's not within your responsibility to answer." Later, Mclnnis said it's clear the only reason the government is pursuing the project is because the premier lives on the lake. Mclnnis noted that numerous previous studies showed the proj­ect wasn't advisable, and could cause algae growth on the lake. The government only resurrect­ed the project after Getty moved into the area, Mclnnis said. Environment Minister Ralph Klein announced Wednesday a three- man panel will conduct pub­lic environmental hearings on the project. But Mclnnis argued the proj­ect should be reviewed by the province's new Natural Resources Conservation Board, established to review the environmental im­pact of development projects. Getty said the NRCB is not ready to proceed with its man­date, adding " this item has all the documents and all the informa­tion to go ahead."