The recently re-formed Red Deer River Quality Control Committee is concerned that heavy snow in the region this winter has significantly increased the risk of spring flooding, says chairman Myron Thompson.
"It is definitely a concern right now,î said Thompson. "It is piling up and it all has to go somewhere in the spring. It gives us some real urgency.î
The Sundre-based committee has been trying to get the provincial government to move forward with flood mitigation efforts.
Last year the committee spearheaded a petition calling for action. That petition was later presented to the provincial government.
The committee has been working with Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre Wildrose MLA Joe Anglin and with Mountain View County.
The committee is trying to arrange a second visit to Edmonton in the near future to meet with provincial officials to reiterate flooding concerns, said Thompson, who is a sitting Sundre town councillor.
"Nothing has moved forward so it is time we put the pressure on again to try and get something done,î he said. "We want to see some berms built, some cleaning and maintenance on that river, gravel removed, dredging take place, debris cleaned up. There are a ton of things that need to happen or we're in serious trouble.
"Our objective is to encourage the province to consider us in its mitigation process. We've had flood practically every year since 2005. When you don't do anything it is only going to get worse.î
Committee members met with government officials at the recent Alberta Urban Municipalities Association annual general meeting, where they voiced flooding concerns.
"They are well aware of our concerns and the need to do something,î said Thompson.
The committee includes representatives from the Mountain View County councillors, the Town of Sundre, and members at large, including from Coal Camp west of Sundre, Coyote Creek, business owners, property owners and others.
The original committee was instrumental in getting the province to come up with money to build a series of berms on the Red Deer River in Sundre, barriers officials say helped prevent flooding in town in June 2013.
"It is definitely a concern right now."- Myron Thompson, chairman.
