The Red Deer River bank stabilization project near Riverside RV Park is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects, according to a federal authority.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans says it made the conclusion and issued its approval for the project after taking into account planned mitigation measures.
Construction has begun on extending seven 20 to 40 metre long rock structures out into dry portions of Red Deer River bed, and in places into the water, from its west bank, says Ron Baker, Sundre's director of operations.
“We're going to try and minimize our footprint,” said Baker.
A DFO environmental screening of the project identified the potential for disruption or destruction of fish habitat as well as fish mortality.
There is also the potential for disturbance to migratory nesting birds or their young and the potential for the introduction of harmful substances into the river because of the work, the screening noted.
“Anything we do on the land we try to put back,” explained Baker.
Consultants have identified 13 fish species that are known or likely to occur within 10 kilometres of the area studied and none are listed under the federal Species at Risk Act.
Two of the species though - cutthroat trout and bull trout - are provincially classified as “secure” and “sensitive,” respectively.
At places where the plan calls for the engineered rock structures to actually be built into the river's water, Baker said crews will isolate the area using large concrete barriers.
And before dewatering of the isolated area begins so crews can work there, Baker said whatever fish are found would be relocated.
This may involve electrofishing, he said, where an electric pulse is sent into the water to stun fish so they can be moved to a safer location.
Every reasonable effort is expected to be made to minimize duration of in-stream work.
That doesn't mean though that there won't be detrimental effects, said Baker.
“We know we will be wrecking fish habitat,” he said.
That's why the town has agreed to set aside about $100,000 from the $2.4 million grant it received to pay for the project, for a fish habitat compensation plan.
“We'll be trying to make it better for fish somewhere else, maybe the Bearberry Creek, or the Burnt or the Panther,” said Baker.
With no “set formula” for what must be done, Baker said the compensation plan hasn't been developed yet.
To help minimize effects on the environment, machinery will operate from outside the waterbody or from within the isolated areas.
As well, effective short and long-term sediment and erosion control measures will be implemented on disturbed areas to prevent other substances from entering the waterbody.
The measures will be inspected and upgraded until compete re-vegetation of all disturbed areas is achieved
"We know we will be wrecking fish habitat."Ron BakerDirector of operations
