OTTAWA (CP) - The construction of the Rafferty-Alameda project on the Souris River in Saskatchewan will create strong pressure for a water diversion from Canada to the United States, says an Ottawa research group, the Rawson Academy of Aquatic Science.
Canada won't be able to meeting its international water-sharing commitments, while satisfying local expectations for recreation and irrigation from Rafferty/Alameda unless water is diverted, says the report issued WEdnesday.
The only plausible source for additional water is the South Saskatchewan River via the Qu'Appelle River said Andrew Hamilton, the author of the report.
Such a diversion would diminish the water available to Saskatoon and other centres.
The federal licence for the project clearly allows for the export to occur, says the report.
"There is a clear need to alter the language of the present license to ensure that diversion of water from outside the basin does not contribute to the transfer of Canadian waters to the United States."
A similar recommendation was made by the federal panel set up to review the environmental impact of the Rafferty/Alameda project, in its recent report.
The Souris River, on which the $154-million Rafferty/Alameda complex is located flows from Saskatchewan into North Dakota, then Back up into Manitoba.
The Rafferty/Alameda was completed this spring but, despite some of the heaviest rains on record, remains virtually empty. Government brochures say it will create a lake 57 kilometres long.
"As soon as you've got an empty, or near empty reservoir sitting there, that is going to be a 57 kilometre long lake ... there's going to be pressure on to fill it," said Hamilton in the interview.
The Saskatchewan government has promised that the Rafferty project will provide water for irrigation and recreation, and for cooling of a power station.
Under normal conditions, Saskatchewan is required to pass on 50% of the flow of the natural flow of the Souris river to the United States.
However, the Rafferty reservoir will aCT LIKE A LARGE EVAPORATION POND, SO THAT MUCH OF SASKATCHEWAN'S SHARE OF THE NATURAL FLOW WILL DISAPPEAR INTO THE AIR, says the Rawson report.
The report says the 1989 Canada-US agreement which cleared the way for the Rafferty/Alameda project gives the United States a substantial say in the operation of the dams for the next 100 years at no cost.
It will not pay anything for the maintenance or operation of the complex, or for getting water released during the times most beneficial to North Dakota, says the report.
The agreement "will prejudice the future uses of water in the Canadian portion of the Souris River Basin," it says.
The United States has contributed about one third of the projects cost in order to obtain flood protection for the city of Minot, N.D.
Date: Thu, 19 Sep 1991 21:02:40 PDT
MEASURES URGED TO SAVE PARKS
- Calgary Herald
OTTAWA (CP) - Canada's national parks - the "CROWN JEWELS OF THE NATION" - are under threat, says the report by the Canadian Environmental Advisory Council.
Logging, acid rain, pulp mill pollution, and underfunding are contributing to the degradation of the parks systems, says the report tabled Wednesday by the Environmental Minister Jean Charest.
The report calls for urgent action, over the next 10 years, to create 18 new terrestrial parks, so as to represent all of Canada's natural regions, while the goal is still achievable.
"After the year 2000, human activities will have significantly altered many important natural areas, and our ability to establish a comprehensive network of protected areas will be compromised.
Only 3.4 per cent of Canada's land is currently protected in parks, and 18 of Canada's 39 natural regions are not represented in the system.
Wood Buffalo National Park, the country's second biggest wilderness preserve, is threatened by changing water levels caused by the W.A.C. Bennett Dam in British Columbia and by pulp mill pollution.
"Areas within the park have been systematically violated by logging activities and the park is now one of our most threatened protected areas," says the report.
In Banff National Park, "crowded streets and urban traffic tie-ups create an urban atmosphere." Many visitors "become preoccupied with artificial attractions" such as souvenir shops and golf courses without appreciating the natural setting.
