Springbank reservoir in the public interest, according to Alberta regulatory board

The Springbank reservoir, designed to protect Calgary from another devastating flood, has cleared a significant regulatory hurdle.

The project, to be built just west of the city limits, would divert water from the Elbow River into a dry reservoir in the case of high water flows.

On Tuesday, the the Natural Resources Conservation Board, a provincial body, determined the project was in the public interest despite some vociferous opposition from area landowners. It assessed environmental, social and economic impacts.

The nearby Tsuut'ina First Nation was opposed to the project but dropped its critiques last year after receiving a $32-million provincial grant for its own flood mitigation measures.

Landowners in the area have been arguing the dam should be placed in another location. They have argued the sediment left behind by floodwaters would result in air and groundwater contamination.

The NRCB determined the project would be effective in preventing loss of life and property in the case of another flood and said the environmental impacts would be "low to negligible."

The decision is contingent on several conditions.

The Alberta government must:

• Work with the Stoney Nakoda First Nation and implement some of its recommendations related to traditional land use.

• Establish a joint land use advisory committee with members of the local community and First Nations.

• Implement environmental monitoring and make the results public.

• Allow access for Indigenous groups prior to construction for collection of traditional-use plants and to conduct ceremonies.

• Allow access for Indigenous groups during construction to demonstrate mitigation work and listen to recommendations.

The project, estimated to cost $480 million for construction and land acquisition, was first submitted to the NRCB in 2017.

The reservoir still requires approval from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, provincial Water Act and Fisheries Act approvals and a determination from the provincial government that consultation with First Nations was adequate.