Lake stabilization project approved

Lake stabilization project approved By BRENDA KOSSOWAN of The Advocate An Alberta Environment panel has given its approval to a $ 13- million water stabilization project at Buffalo Lake. Citing recommendations of a government- appointed review panel, Environment Minister Ralph Klein said Tuesday he is satisfied the benefits of the project would outweigh the costs, and that environmental impact will be minimal. The project will improve drinking water in nearby vil­lages, but will have a minor negative effect on waterfowl and birds, the panel's report says. Panel chair- 1 man Don Thorne, former mayor of La-combe, said overwhelming public support and potential economic bene­fits were be­hind the panel's decision to recommend in favor of the project. It was clearly supported by a strong majority of the 56 people and groups which made presen­tations to the board during hear­ings in Alix last month, said Mr. Thorne. Roy Willard, vice- president of the Pelican Point Community Association, said he was happy to learn the province would be going ahead. " I've been looking forward to that quite a while. The sooner they get it done, the happier I'll be," he said. Mr. Willard, who owns a small general store on the north side of the lake, said business has been extremely poor. His group was among the many to submit arguments in favor of the project, saying it would increase tourism and property values around the lake. Stabilizing the lake would es­tablish a predictable shoreline, increasing the lake's visitor ap­peal, said Mr. Willard. Low water levels have also caused severe winterkill among fish species in Buffalo Lake, which in turn adversely af­fected local tourism, he said. But enviromentalist Martha Kostuch said Environment Canada, still stinging from back­lash of the Rafferty, Alameda and Oldman dam projects, would probably never approve Buffalo Lake stabilization. The Parlby Creek- Buffalo Lake project is " frivolous, fool­ish," and an " expensive fix" for a problem which has better al­ternatives, said the Rocky Mountain House veterinarian. Dr. Kostuch slammed the project for being " economically, politically and environmentally irresponsible," saying the net effect of lake stabilization would endanger waterfowl species, in­cluding the rare piping plover. The new report contradicts and earlier envronmental im­pact study done for the prov­ince, which concluded that the water diversion would destroy waterfowl habitat and produce only $ 11 million in economic benefits to be enjoyed mostly by cabin owner. Mr. Klein said the author of that report has admitted his cal­culations were wrong. The project, considered for at least 20 years, would divert water from the Red Deer River through Parlby Creek to Buf­falo Lake. For years it was re­jected as too costly and environ­mentally damaging.