Horsefly Regional Emergency Spillway Project — Participant Funding Available

November 10, 2021 — Funding provided by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) is now available to help the public and Indigenous groups participate in the impact assessment process for the proposed Horsefly Regional Emergency Spillway Project, located near Taber, Alberta.

Funding is available for eligible individuals and groups to assist their participation during the impact assessment's planning phase. During the current comment period, which ends November 28, 2021, the public and Indigenous groups are invited to review the summary of the initial project description and provide comments. The Agency will retroactively reimburse eligible participants for their participation in this first comment period.

Applications received by December 10, 2021, will be considered.

To apply for funding or receive an application form, please contact the Participant Funding Program by writing to FP-PAF@iaac-aeic.gc.ca, or by calling 1-866-582-1884.

As a next step, the Agency will determine whether a federal impact assessment is required for the project. If one is required, eligible applicants will receive additional funding to participate in a second comment period during which the public and Indigenous groups will be invited to provide feedback on the draft Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines and the draft Public Participation Plan.

For media inquiries, contact the Agency's media relations team by writing to media@iaac-aeic.gc.ca, or by calling 343-549-3870.

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The Proposed Project

The Municipal District of Taber is proposing the expansion of an existing emergency spillway to divert overland floodwaters and stormwater runoff within the St. Mary River Irrigation District to the Oldman River. The project would be located mostly on private lands near Taber, Alberta. The expansion would increase the diversion capacity of the existing spillway from approximately 7.6 m³/s to 40 m³/s.

More information on this project is available on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry website, reference number 83135.