An alpine report proposal in Kananaskis Country {Wilderness area} has been exempted from an environmental impact assessment, even though conservationists say the Project threatens the area's water and wildlife.
"That's a farce," said Vivian Pharis, past-president of the Alberta Wilderness Association. "An EIA should be automatically be required for any large tourism proposal in K-country."
But Alberta Environment contends the planned resort and health spa does not require an EIA because the site, at the southern tip of Spray Lakes, is not environmentally sensitive.
Airdie-based developer Rudi Schmidt confirmed Monday the province informed him by letter on July 24 that an impact assessment wouldn't be required on the 50 room, multi-million dollar facility.
Pharis said AWA concerns are for the area's wildlife - including moose and bear - and for the resort's impact on nearby streams and the lake itself.
Schimdt, who lobbied the province for five years before unveiling his plans this spring, has a 25-year renewable Crown lease and development permit to build the resort.
However, he acknowledged final approval and a building awaited the go-ahead from K-Country officials who are now reviewing changes to the original architectural drawings.
Alberta Environment public affairs officer Wayne Grainger said the exemption was granted because development on the site won't harm the environment. "There are no visible adverse consequences, " Grainger explained, adding the proposal is largely on an old logging site and consistent with the general area plan.
The exemption also enables the proposal to bypass a review by the new Natural Resources Conservation Board.
Schmidt has received considerable support from the Alberta Tories {for Americans Tory means Conservative} since the project's inception, including Tourism Minister Don Sparrow, Forestry, Lands and Wildlife Minister Leroy Fjordbotten and Premier Don Getty
{Premier is like Governor}.
PS. I include the {} for Americans cause one of my pet peeves is when great e-mails come through from the US and I have no idea what certain americanisms or localisms mean.
