Town officials are trying to rally federal support to spend grant money targeted for fish habitat replacement on flood protection instead.
More than $132,000 was set aside from a provincial grant to increase fish habitat in the Bearberry Creek, but Coun. Myron Thompson believes it is a poor decision.
“I'm just looking at reality. Reality is this: we have never been closer to a major disaster in our lives,” said Thompson.
“Lord only knows what's going to happen next.”
Increasing fish habitat in the Sundre area is required as part of the $2.4-million Red Deer Riverbank Stabilization project completed in July of 2012.
Thompson made a motion during the meeting on April 7 for a letter to be written to three members of parliament (MPs), including Blake Richards, about the cause. He wants the three MPs to go to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans office and fight for it.
Officials had planned to complete the fish mitigation requirement by the end of 2013, but received the draft report from engineers earlier this year, which suggests the project be carried out in the Bearberry Creek.
Town officials have already been granted two extensions to complete the project. The deadline is September 2014.
