Critics appeal for ring road redesign
Environmentalists appealing approval of plan as they fear wetlands’ destruction
Environmentalists and community activists are spending three days before the Environmental Appeals Board arguing against what they call a reckless, irresponsible design of the southwest ring road that will destroy up to 24 wetlands.
Although the province already approved the plan as the most environmentally sound option, appellants say that without the wetlands, communities around the Glenmore Reservoir will be at higher risk of flooding, the ecosystem will be negatively impacted and Calgary’s drinking water will no longer benefit from natural filtration.
“It is 2017, and to destroy wetlands and forgo flood mitigation and efforts to preserve the filtration of our drinking water is just unacceptable,” said Allie Tulick, a Lakeview resident and environmental advocate with YYC Cares, a local lobby group asking the province to scale back on what they call an unnecessary overbuild.
“We understand that we need a ring road. We just want to see it designed properly and we want the Weaselhead protected.”
The $1.4-billion southwest ring road has been under discussion for decades but only was able to move forward once the government reached a land deal with the Tsuut’ina First Nation in 2013.
At issue at the EAB hearing is a permit issued by the provincial Environment Ministry to the project contractors — KGL Constructors — under the Water Act allowing for the fill of 24 wetlands.
Gilbert Van Nes, counsel and settlement co-ordinator for the appeals board, explained that when the approved design cannot preserve certain wetlands sights, a compensation plan is put in place. In this case, he said, Ducks Unlimited will be provided with funding to construct wetlands in other areas to replace those that would be lost.
Rizwan Hussain, Alberta Transportation’s construction manager for the ring road project, added that after consultation with various stakeholders, the existing design was deemed to be the most environmentally responsible and cost efficient option for taxpayers. He added that while the design may seem large, it will be necessary to accommodate further population growth by 2021, when the road opens.
“By the time this road is finished in four years, there will be 1.5 million people living in Calgary,” said Hussain.
“This is a transportation corridor that we will need. There is no other southwest corridor. There is no other option and we have to upgrade our transportation infrastructure.”
But Barry Lester of Discovery Ridge argues the project has turned into a massive overbuild in which the original six- to eightlane project has doubled in size to 16 lanes.
“Right now, the Weaselhead is one of the most beautiful valleys in the city and they are destroying it. They are making a mess of everything,” said Lester.
Oakridge resident Janice Fraser agreed, adding several communities are concerned about the cumulative effects of overland flooding which are becoming more common as climate change takes effect across the planet.
“In terms of climate change, this is reckless, especially for the southwest end of the city and the communities south of the reservoir,” Fraser said.
YYC Cares is also expected to argue for a reconfiguration of the bridge design — which currently calls for three bridges over the Elbow River as part of the ring road — in favour of a single bridge that would be higher and longer, causing less disruption to wetlands and the river valley.
But the government has already rejected that option, saying it would be more expensive and have issues with icing and drainage.
EAB officials said that once the hearing ends Wednesday, the board will make a recommendation to the Environment Minister as soon as possible.
Timing is critical because ring road construction involves a deadline under the agreement with the Tsuut’ina signed by the former Progressive Conservative government.
The province faces a May 2022 deadline for completion of the roadway, running from Highway 22X to Glenmore Trail.