The Town of Blackfalds received approval by one of their key stakeholders in their Northwest Area Master Stormwater Management Plan, the City of Lacombe.

The City said they are satisfied Blackfalds has addressed all potential impacts of this plan, which would carry stormwater from the area being developed in northwest Blackfalds, through the Wolf Creek and Whelp Brook Watersheds into Lacombe Lake.

Director of Infrastructure and Property Services for Town of Blackfalds Preston Weran says any contaminants in the storm water will be treated naturally.

“We’re going to utilize nature’s own ability to treat those types of pollutants. They’ll be constructed wetlands, so essentially they’ll look like a wetland but they’ll be constructed so that we can make sure that they meet or exceed Alberta Environments guidelines for stormwater.”

Groups who are opposed to the project are worried about the potential impact this plan will have on the natural wetlands.

But as Weran points out, they are going above and beyond the environmental protection standards that are put in place to protect delicate watersheds.

“There’s always going to be stakeholders that are for or against change, and what we are doing is we’re going to be following the provincial guidelines, and ultimately Alberta Environment and Parks is going to make the decision as to whether this is an acceptable plan or not. It’s a positive project, the Town of Blackfalds has spent a considerable amount of effort and money to engage the stakeholders, as well as… meet or exceed Alberta Environment guidelines.”

Blackfalds has been working on this project for over two years.

Once they hear back from the Director of Environment and Parks for provincial approval, they are hoping to get this project moving forward in a couple of years.