A Gull Lake water management group has lost its appeal of water licence approvals for a proposed Gull Lake RV Resort.
However, the resort developer will be required to undertake additional environmental studies to ensure the project doesn’t harm the lake, wildlife and fisheries.
Gull Lake Water Quality Management Society and a pair of private landowners appealed Water Act approvals from Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development for the Sandy Point RV Resort being developed by Delta Land Co.
The society argued not enough research had been done to determine the impacts on the lake from the licences allowing the resort to draw the water it needs from three area wells.
Two water licences had been approved allowing the resort to draw 62,000 cubic metres of water per year for the development, which will include a golf course, on the west side of the lake near Bentley.
In its decision, the Alberta Environmental Appeals Board determined there will be “no significant impact” to the lake from the well that is connected to the lake. Two other wells are likely not connected to the lake and will not have any impact, the board determined.
The board did recognize that a 175-slip marina being developed for the resort is being built on the most environmentally sensitive portion of the lake and called for additional studies.
It says the amount of land disturbed by a 600-metre berm between the marina and the lake is greater than the developer and the Environment Department had originally estimated. A revised impact assessment is required.
A water depth study is also required for the area where the inland marina channel will be dug out.
Delta must also collect baseline data and submit a plan to Alberta Environment to monitor for any negative impacts to fisheries, wildlife, vegetation and soils.
Society president Craig McLeod was pleased that the board saw the need for more study.
“In some ways I think we’re really pleased that both the Alberta Environmental Appeals Board and (Environment Minister Diana McQueen) found that more work was required here and additional conditions are needed for the development,” said McLeod.
“This would have never happened had this process not been engaged. I believe it’s created a new level of accountability for this project.”
McLeod said the society expects that a higher benchmark has been created for the kinds of background study required before similar projects are allowed to proceed.
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, but that will be lifted.
Co-developer Lance Dzaman has no problem with the additional monitoring required by the province.
“It’s a good thing, It’s just a monitoring of what’s going on around the lake and Sandy Point will just take on its portion of it,” said Dzaman.
The protection of the lake is “guaranteed” through the numerous environmental measures that have been adopted, such as the berms, which will prevent storm water from running off the resort into the lake, he added.
The 68-lot first phase is already 40 per cent pre-sold and Dzaman is expecting a surge in sales now that the appeal decision has come down. When fully developed, the resort could have more then 1,100 lots.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com