Resurrection of lake a coincidence: Klein

A8 CALGARY HERALD Thurs., September 21, 1989 Resurrection of lake a coincidence: Klein By Jim Cunningham ( Herald Edmonton bureau) EDMONTON - Ralph Klein says it's just a coincidence that his department resurrected plans to stabilize Buffalo Lake right after Premier Don Getty became the area's MLA. " It really hasn't got anything to do with Mr. Getty." Klein told reporters Wednesday when ques­tioned about Environment De­partment plans to do an environ­mental impact assessment of the $ 14- million, scheme to pump wa­ter from the Red Deer River into the lake. The lake is 19 kilo­metres northwest of Stettler. " Something would have been done with that lake whether or not the premier was the MLA," Klein said. " The problem isn't with Mr. Getty. He didn't create the prob­lem,. God created the problem. And Environment can fix the problem." The Environment Department unveiled plans for an impact as­sessment of the diversion after getting a report earlier this year which claims the scheme won't cause algae growth to choke the lake water. KLEIN: Plan defended Three earlier studies by the government had concluded that water from the river, which con­tains phosphorous, would pro­mote the growth of algae and effectively destroy the lake as a recreational area despite stabili­zation of the water level. Getty was elected Stettler MLA last May in a byelection after losing his home riding of Edmonton Whit em ud in the March general election. He is currently in the process of buying land for a home overlook­ing Buffalo Lake. In July, the Transportation Department announced plans to pave the Secondary Highway near the land Getty is buying. Klein admitted there is " still some doubt" about the effect of river water on the lake. " That's why we have to do the environ­mental impact assessment and go through the public hearing pro­cess." But the minister said action to stablize the lake is likely, despite the concerns, Klein said angry cottage own­ers have swamped his office with demands for action to curb fluctu­ations in the lake level. Buffalo Lake is " a mess. It's diminishing," he said, adding that $ 14 million isn't too much to pay to correct the problem. " In fact, l think that's cheap at twice the price."