Balzac Gets The Water

[Harps]

Fri, August 3, 2007

 

Balzac mall taps Western water

UPDATED: 2007-08-03 01:25:28 MST

 

 

By DOUG MCINTYRE, SUN MEDIA

 

 

The Municipal District of Rocky View received the necessary trickle of support yesterday to end its search for water service to a megamall construction project just north of Calgary.

 

Water users from the Western Irrigation District voted in Strathmore on shifting a portion of their water licence to Rocky View, with 57% of the 328 plebiscite participants giving thumbs-up to the transfer.

 

In exchange for water for the massive Balzac development, the M.D. will spend $15 million to replace a 50-km section of the WID canal with a closed pipeline.

 

Rocky View Reeve Al Schule said the conversion will conserve 11,400 cubic metres of water a day by reducing seepage and evaporation.

 

"It's clear from the outcome of this plebiscite that the water users understand this agreement maximizes the use of a provincial resource and is mutually beneficial to the WID, the M.D., the public interest and the environment," said Schule.

 

Rocky View must now apply to the province to transfer the portion of the WID licence.

 

Just great, eh. Look where our Province has gone... not only will agriculture Never get that water back in times of drought, it won't be in the river for the aquatic environment.

And than to top it off... they pipe the irrigation canals, which means no water for ducks, deer, muskrats, etc (and fish in canals). Plus with less leakage, the wetlands around the canals dry up even further eliminating wet habitats.

 

Hope they didn't like duck hunting.

 

WTF were those WID members thinking!?!

 

Idiots

[admin]

Is this the location of the new Bass Pro as well?

[Taco]

Oh come on Paul tell us what you really think

 

Money Paul its all about money... money talks and bullshit walks. A billion dollar development, tax dollars for the MD, someone getting wealthier, what did you think was gonna happen? I like the quote from the old farmer in todays Herald "Water's gonna be the next oil" and you know...he's right. 300 million people south of us are gonna demand it!

[cheeler]

Is this the location of the new Bass Pro as well?

 

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/c...ff-579d100683af

 

One potential anchor store at the proposed mall project north of Calgary is Springfield, Mo. based Bass Pro Shops.

 

"Alberta truly will have landed the big one if Bass Pro enters the market," said Kehoe. "Typical Bass stores are 130,000 square feet and contain not just fishing, hunting and camping gear, but also freshwater aquariums, an indoor archery range, wildlife displays and replica trout ponds, streams and waterfalls.

 

"All I can say is: The fish of Alberta should be scared," quipped Kehoe.

 

They might wanna change the name though.

[Castuserraticus]

I think this is a very creative solution. They get their water by reducing evaporation and leakage from the irrigation canals. The animals are mobile and will adapt just as they did when the canals were put into previously dry areas.

[jimbow]

was very surprised that the water users agreed to this. never thought the irrigators would give up their water for that kind of development. there must have been more to it than the pipeline issue. why would they give up their water for nothing (there must be grease in there somewhere)? they will regret this decision.