The Province of Alberta is reviewing statements of concern submitted in relation to the highly controversial Bingham Crossing development.
According to Alberta Environment, the department has received 43 submissions.
“(Of the 43 submissions) 23 statements of concern were accepted,” explained Sarah Jackson, public affairs officer with Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD). “All (those that) filed (notices) were notified in mid-February whether or not their submission was accepted or denied. The parties were provided with rationale to support ESRD’s decision on their standing.”
Jackson explained some examples of the accepted concerns dealt with effluent drift, runoff from the site, noise, groundwater contamination and odours.
“The rational for rejecting some of the submissions (were those whose concerns) were global in nature, concerns pertained to aesthetics, parties were not deemed to be directly impacted (lived outside of the area), among others,” Jackson said.
The renewed interest in the development came after Springbank councillor Jerry Arshinoff requested an independent review of the project late in 2013.
Calgary’s ISL Engineering and Land Services conducted a third-party review of the development project and any potential effects it could have on the surrounding environment, in particular water and wastewater discharge.
The report – submitted to Alberta Environment Feb. 20 – outlines comments regarding the development’s affect on the area.
It is recommended that final “Bingham Crossing Development” design and installation of the wastewater treatment process be checked by an independent third party, the report stated.
The report also recommended that “Bingham Crossing development” be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the water treatment plant system for a minimum probation period of five years under the supervision of Rocky View County. The County shall take possession of the plant provided the developer proves the system is operating with no issues raised. The proposed wastewater treatment system is situated in the vicinity of an existing residential area.
“Consequently, system failures that might impact others could be considered as potential risk. It is recommended that the County investigates the option of requesting the developer to furnish a bond covering the mitigation cost of any system failures. A risk assessment to define probable failures, along with associated cost of repairs could be prepared in this regard.”
Potential flooding was also raised as an area of concern in the report.
During the wet season, the report states, the top soil is saturated and is unable to absorb extra irrigation water.
In case the applied irrigation rate at that time exceeds the effective soil water-holding capacity, surface runoff will occur towards other properties located at the northeast of the irrigation field and towards the Bearspaw reservoir area. This is a valid concern… the design should address and assess this risk in more detail.”
“Potential contamination of the groundwater will impact the source of drinking water supplied by the North Springbank Water Co-op’s aquifers and other wells/sump pumps,” the report stated.
“This is a valid concern.”
Alberta Environment received ISL’s review of the Bingham Crossing wastewater application assessment on March 17.
“The submitted ISL review considers the project from the perspective of Rocky View County’s subdivision requirements, and includes questions that should be directed to the applicant and the applicant’s consultant,” Jackson said.
“ISL did not review the Bingham Crossing project for its adherence to the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) requirements. This (report) was not considered a Statement-of-Concern, but rather as information only.”
As part of the EPEA process, Alberta Environment is reviewing the submitted Statements-of-Concern for the Bingham wastewater system to determine who is directly affected.
“(Alberta Environment) has said that its not their mandate (the changes),” Arshinoff said.
“I would think (then) it would be our (the County’s) mandate.”
Arshinoff referred to an upcoming subdivision application for Bingham Crossing that is set to come before council soon, and he feels the reports’ findings should halt the proceedings.
“Council cannot approve an application if there are doubts about the water and wastewater,” he said.
Bingham’s subdivision application will go before RVC council on May 13.
