The Government of Canada announced that the Springbank off-stream reservoir project is moving forward. Funded under the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF), this project will protect local residents from flooding, and help local communities adapt to climate change.
The project will see the construction of an off-stream storage reservoir in Rocky View County to divert extreme flood flow from the Elbow River to a reservoir until the flood peak has passed. The reservoir will help protect thousands of Albertans, as well as their homes, schools and local businesses, from future floods.
The Government of Canada committed $168.5 million in federal funding for this project in March 2019. Before construction could begin, it was vital that a thorough, science based environmental assessment be conducted, that Indigenous groups be consulted, and that legally-binding conditions be established to safeguard the environment. With the environmental assessment and the contribution agreement signed, the project can now move forward.
Budget 2021 provided the DMAF with an additional $1.375 billion to support projects such as wildfire mitigation activities, rehabilitation of storm water systems, and restoration of wetlands and shorelines. Through the DMAF, the Government of Canada is making sure Canadian communities are better able to withstand damage caused by climate change and extreme weather events, which is why Minister McKenna launched the next intake for the DMAF today. These investments help keep Canadians safe, protect local businesses, and support strong local economies.
The Government of Canada is committed to getting funding to communities when they need it the most in a way that achieves triple benefits: grow our economy and create jobs; tackle climate change; and build a more resilient and inclusive country for all Canadians.
“Today, we’re advancing almost $1.4 billion toward a new round of Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund projects, while moving forward with the Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir project as part of the initial DMAF allocation,” stated Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
“The Government of Alberta worked diligently to complete the regulatory requirements and is pleased that the federal review resulted in the approval of SR1,” added Alberta’s Minister of Transportaion Rajan Sawhney. “We also appreciate the federal funding contribution of approximately 39 per cent of SR1’s total cost. Our joint commitment to this project will reduce the risk of economic and personal impacts from flooding on the Elbow River. Alberta Transportation will continue to work to advance SR1 through to completion.”
Feature image: Artistic rendering of the Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir on the Elbow River. (Government