Environmentalists may appeal approval of Buffalo Lake project

Environmentalists * may appeal approval of Buffalo Lake project The Canadian Press Red Deer A $ 13- million project to raise the level of Buffalo Lake near Alberta Premier Don Getty's home was granted approval by the federal and provincial governments Friday. " There is very strong local sup­port for the pro­ject. It has recre­ational and economic benefits," said Alberta Environ­ment spokeswoman Donna Bab­chishin. However, envi­ronmentalists say that raising the level of the lake about half a metre is a waste of money and could destroy habitat for animals such as the piping plover, an endangered bird. Burton Ayles, regional director of the federal Fisheries Department, said it was decided this summer that a full environ­mental assessment of the project was not necessary. He added, however, that he could not go into details on the de- Kostuch In another ruling that cleared the way for the plan, the federal Transportation Department has al­lowed the project to proceed with­out a permit under the Navigable Waters Protection Act. Environmental activist Martha Kostuch of Rocky Mountain House said an environmental assessment may have been required under law, and added she will seek legal advice on challenging the decision in court. " It ( the approval) certainly indi­cates how low government depart­ments will fall to pay off the con­stituents of Premier Don Getty's riding," she charged. " I think approving the project was a political decision," said Mi­chael McNaughton, head of the Red Deer River Naturalists. " The feds don't want to rock the boat. It's Premier Getty's riding and the project is nearly finished," McNaughton said Project supporters lauded the government for proceeding with the project, which they believe will boost tourism and help struggling farm communities in the Stettler area.