A long-delayed decision on appeals launched over a Gull Lake RV resort is expected within weeks.
The Gull Lake Water Quality Management Society and two individuals appealed Alberta Environment approvals related to Sandy Point RV Resort being developed by Delta Land Co. Inc.
A hearing wrapped up in May and a decision was expected within 30 days.
However, scheduling issues with the Alberta Environmental Appeals Board members and a heavy staff workload led to the “highly unusual” delay, said board general counsel and settlement officer Gilbert Van Nes.
The board’s request for Environment and Sustainable Resource Minister Diana McQueen to extend the 30-day deadline was the first of its kind in about a decade, he said.
The decision is now in McQueen’s hands and is expected to be released in about two weeks.
The appeals were launched after Alberta Environment approved two water licences allowing the resort to draw 62,000 cubic metres of water per year from three wells for the development on the west side of the lake just northeast of Bentley. Approvals were also granted last August for the construction of the inland marina and storm drainage system.
All but the storm drainage approval are under appeal.
A spokesman for the Gull Lake society said at the time that they are concerned the science hasn’t been done to prove that taking the large amounts of water required for the resort, which will also include a golf course, won’t affect lake water quality.
While the appeal was being dealt with, work has continued on the inland portion of the resort. A stay prevented work on construction involving the lake.
Delta co-owner Lance Dzaman said work has been going “full tilt” all summer at the resort site while they waited the results of the appeal.
The 68-lot first phase is 35 per cent pre-sold and interest has been high, said Dzaman.
“We plan to have people moving onto their lots in the spring.”
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com