Hello Calgary-Bow,
Spring is nearly here and soon our communities will be gathering for fun outdoor events and annual Community Clean-ups. If you are interested in participating or have some spare time to volunteer, connect with your local community association to find out how.
This month, I want to present you with an update on the community in relation to Flood Mitigation as we are actively working with our partners to present updated information.
Earlier this year, the City of Calgary presented information about their plans to implement community level flood resiliency projects in Bowness. The Ministry of Environment and Parks role in community-led flood resilience projects is to grant funding through the Alberta Community Resilience Program (ACRP). ACRP provides grants to Municipalities, First Nations, Métis Settlements, Improvement Districts, and Special Areas for the design and construction of projects that protect critical municipal infrastructure from flooding and drought and help to ensure public safety is protected.
The Bow River Water Management Project was announced in October of 2015 by the Honourable Minister Shannon Phillips and is jointly chaired by the City of Calgary. This project’s mandate was to provide the government with advice on opportunities to reduce flood damage, improve the reliability of water availability as well as protect the long-term health of the basin for communities like ours. The Bow River Working Group was established as a technical collaboration of water managers and experts and comprised of a wide range of stakeholders that interact with the Bow River watershed.
The report, ‘Advice to Government on Water Management in the Bow River Basin’, provides advice to the province on the most promising water management schemes for the Bow River Basin. The province has begun to explore some of the recommendations, including building on the current agreement with TransAlta to increase capacity of the Ghost Lake Reservoir, as well as, minor operating and infrastructure projects that could be implemented relatively quickly (if proven feasible), some within one year; some of these measures can help better protect our communities and ensure access to our rivers and surrounding parks safely and for all to enjoy. The Province is also looking at larger infrastructure projects on which feasibility studies could be completed within two years.
The Spring Session of the Alberta Legislature Starts in March until June. Although I will be in Edmonton, Monday – Thursday, representing our community, my office remains open and my staff are available Monday through Thursday, to hear your questions, comments and ideas for a better Alberta. If you plan to be in Edmonton over the next couple of months, inform my office and I would be happy to connect with you at the Alberta Legislature.
