Ducks Unlimited wants a say

S t f T ' 2 7 , 199/ Ducks Unlimited wants a say By ADRIENNE TANNER of The Advocate Despite verbal assurances, a representative from Ducks Unlimited has still not been added to the Buffalo Lake stabilization project manage­ment team. Kim Schmitt, south- central manager for Ducks Unlimited Canada, said he was practically as­sured a spot on the team by Alberta Environment over one month ago. " We wrote a letter . . . and we haven't heard back yet," Mr. Schmitt said. After introducing the idea of a management team at the Buffalo Lake public hearings in May, Ducks Unlimited was surprised to be left off the list. At the time, Mr. Schmitt was convinced the omission had to be an oversight. Buffalo Lake and the surrounding wetlands is one of the top three waterfowl areas in the prov­ince. Ducks Unlimited has spent $ 3 million to maintain and protect waterfowl habitat in the area. The $ 13 million stabilization project will shift water levels in the area by diverting water from the Red Deer River to Alix Lake and then through Parlby Creek to Buffalo Lake. Concern about the project's effects on prime waterfowl habitat fueled Ducks Unlimited's push for a management team. Alberta Environment adopted the group's idea but failed to include it on the team. Mr. Schmitt says he still hasn't given up mak­ing the team. " We're poised and ready to go to work — if they give us a chance." Rod Love, executive assistant to Environment Minister Ralph Klein who initially spoke to Mr. Schmitt, was unavailable for comment. Bob Hill, spokesman for water resources at Al­berta Environment, said Ducks Unlimited will soon get an answer from Mr. Klein.