Alberta Environment - Getting Involved: Initiatives

This section highlights current, future and past public and stakeholder involvement initiatives either being led by, or with significant involvement of, Alberta Environment. These initiatives include those Alberta Environment is involved in under the Sustainable Resource and Environmental Management (SREM) framework.

If you are interested in activities under the Environmental Assessment Process, visit http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/protenf/assessment/whatsnew.html or to view documentation for Approvals, Licences, Registrations and Permits issued under the Water Act and Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, visit http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/approvalviewer.html.

We recognize the benefits of involving the public and stakeholders and understand that the more informed they are, the better we will all be able to cooperatively and effectively manage the environment.

Southern Alberta Initiatives
*Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership* The Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership is a partnership whose mission is to protect and maintain the integrity of the natural environment while promoting the growth and prosperity of Alberta’s urban centers. The partnership is comprised of municipal and provincial governments, provincial agencies, and non-profit organizations that share an interest in promoting changes in land development practices so the degradation of the natural environment is prevented or reduced. The number one goal of the Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership is to facilitate the development of a made in Alberta low impact development strategy that is consistent with and achieves the desired outcomes of the province's Water for Life initiative. Recent work of the Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership includes: Making progress in defining how the Province's Water for Life vision will be translated into actions on the ground by educating and encouraging land developers to utilize low impact development practices; Continued collaboration with British Columbia regarding the elements of an inter-provincial partnership; and, Introduction of the Water Balance Model, which provides practitioners with a ‘runoff-based tool' for source control evaluation and stream health assessment. The ‘runoff-based approach' holds the key to assessing environmental impacts in watercourses and the effectiveness of mitigation techniques. If you would like more information on the Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership or wish to be involved, please contact Brian Chinery. Contact: Brian.Chinery@gov.ab.ca Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 2004 Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing Link: http://www.waterbalance.ca/waterbalance/home/wbnAB Index.asp
*Apportionment of the St. Mary and Milk River between Canada and the United States* The 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty and the 1921 Order of the International Joint Commission governs the sharing of the waters of the St. Mary and Milk Rivers. In 2003, the State of Montana requested that the International Joint Commission open the 1921 Order for review. Alberta’s objective is to ensure its rights to the waters of the St. Mary and Milk River, as defined by the 1921 Order, are not reduced. Alberta has represented its interests to the International Joint Commission and been working with local interest groups and stakeholders (such as the Alberta Irrigation Projects Association and municipalities) to assist them to prepare for and participate in International Joint Commission activities, if they decide to do so, at public meetings and submissions. Contact: Sal.Figliuzzi@gov.ab.ca Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: May 2004 and as required Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing Link: http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/GWSW/Quantity/Wate rinAlberta/Apportionment/TB_Transboundary/TB2_ boundary_waters_treaty.html
*Bow River Basin Council* The Bow River Basin Council was recognized by the Provincial Government as the Watershed Planning and Advisory Council for the Bow River Basin in December 2004. The mission of the Bow River Basin Council is to provide or support actions for the purposes of protecting and improving the waters of the Bow River Basin and with respect to any social, cultural, economic and environmental aspects. The Bow River Basin Council completed the Bow Basin Watershed Management Plan: Phase One Water Quality in September 2008. Goals for 2009/10 include: Implementation of the Bow Basin Watershed Management Plan recommendations via a multi-stakeholder Bow Basin Watershed Management Plan Implementation Committee. Concept development for future State of the Watershed reporting. Identification of future planning phases for the Bow Basin Watershed Management Plan. Successful delivery of the Bow River Basin Council quarterly forums utilizing enhanced networking and sharing of information. Timely completion of the Bow River Basin Council newsletters and updates to the Bow River Basin Council website. Contact: Mark.Bennett@brbc.ab.ca Contact: Rob.Wolfe@gov.ab.ca Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: There are no public involvement initiatives scheduled at this time. To learn more about the Bow River Basin Council and their projects, or if you wish to get involved, please visit the Bow River Basin Council website at the address shown below. Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: There are no public initiatives scheduled at this time. Link: http://www.brbc.ab.ca
*Calgary Regional Airshed Zone* Alberta Environment is working in partnership with the Calgary Health Region and the Clean Air Strategic Alliance to establish a multi-stakeholder group to develop the Calgary Region Airshed Zone. Calgary Region Airshed Zone will help to: Identify air quality issues specific to the region; Understand major factors affecting air quality in the region through improved air quality monitoring; Provide insight on possible impacts of air quality on human and environmental health; and, Develop an air quality management plan for the region by 2008 to address intermittent high levels of ozone and particulate matter. Airshed zones enable local stakeholders to design solutions to address regional or local air quality issues. Airshed zones are guided by local or regional multi-stakeholder non-profit societies who use the Clean Air Strategic Alliance consensus model to make decisions. Alberta Environment is an active member of Calgary Region Airshed Zone. If you would like more information or wish to be involved, please contact Heather Sinton. Contact: Heather.Sinton@gov.ab.ca Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: August 2003 Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing Link: http://www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/hecomm/envhealth /Ambient_Air_Quality/Ambient_Air_Quality_infor mation.htm
*Calgary Regional Partnership* The Calgary Regional Partnership is an incorporated association of nineteen municipalities and communities in the Calgary Region from Banff, to Crossfield, to Wheatland County, to Nanton. The Calgary Regional Partnership’s motto “thinking regionally and acting locally” applies to its many projects aimed at sustainable environments, sustainable prosperity and sustainable municipal services. The Calgary Regional Partnership is currently managing a variety of projects such as: Regional Water/Waste Water Servicing Project; Regional Geographic Information System Project; Organizational Capacity Project; Enhancement of Community Capacity Project; Opportunity Identification Project; Marketing of the Calgary region; Organic Waste Reduction Project; Specialized Transportation Demonstration Project; and, Emergency Communications Enhancement Project. Alberta Environment is an active member of the Calgary Regional Partnership. If you would like more information on the Calgary Regional Partnership or wish to be involved, please contact Jay Litke. Contact: Jay.Litke@gov.ab.ca Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 2002 Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing Link: http://www.calgaryregion.ca/
*Chestermere Lake Working Group* The Chestermere Lake Working Group was initiated by the City of Calgary to: Evaluate management options for dealing with water quality problems at Chestermere Lake; and, Recommend a plan of action. The Chestermere Lake Working Group is comprised of Alberta Environment, the City of Calgary, the MD of Rocky View, the Town of Chestermere and the Western Irrigation District. The key water quality problems in Chestermere Lake have included extensive growth of aquatic plants and sediment infilling due to urban run-off. Future work will include efforts to: Assess current and future nutrient and sediment loadings; Determine loadings targets; and Evaluate potential sites and costs for a settling basin. If you would like more information, please contact Al Sosiak. Contact: Al.Sosiak@gov.ab.ca Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 2002 Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing
*Crown Managers Partnership* The Crown Managers Partnership is a trans-boundary regional agency partnership focused on shared, place-based environmental outcomes. The partnership is comprised of federal, state, provincial and First Nations land and resource management agencies in Alberta, Montana and B.C. The Crown Managers Partnership objectives are to: Build understanding and awareness of the ecological health of the Crown of the Continent ecosystem; Address increasing human activity and pressures on environmental resources; and, Create effective collaboration among multiple agencies. The Crown Managers Partnership has adopted a strategic priority, the “Managing for Ecological Health" project. The project is intended to define an appropriate level of environmental quality for the Crown of the Continent ecosystem assured by the management actions of multiple agencies each exercising their own jurisdiction with common goals in mind. The project is proceeding through various logical steps: Defining what health means in the Crown context Describing the current state of the Crown Understanding the trajectories that have taken the region to this point and the likely future trajectories and their environmental implications Identifying with the broader community and stakeholders the desired state for the Crown. Collaborative and adaptive environmental and natural resource management to achieve the desired state. If you would like more information or wish to be involved, please contact Ian Dyson. Contact: Ian.Dyson@gov.ab.ca Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 2001 Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing Link: http://www.rockies.ca/cmp/
*Elbow River Watershed Partnership* The Elbow River Watershed Partnership was initiated in 2002 to provide recommendations for the protection, restoration, and maintenance of the Elbow River watershed. The Elbow River Watershed Partnership supports and encourages all stakeholders in the watershed to protect and enhance water quality and quantity. The goals of the Elbow River Watershed Partnership are to: Encourage individuals and communities to take responsibility to protect and enhance water quality and quantity in the Elbow River watershed; Encourage the use of new technologies for water conservation; Encourage best water management and land use practices; Encourage cooperation, coordination and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders; Minimize the negative impacts of land uses on water quality and quantity; and, Increase awareness and understanding of the watershed. Currently, the Elbow River Watershed Partnership is determining linkages with the Bow River Basin Council and its watershed management planning activities and has completed a draft Terms of Reference for an Elbow River Watershed Management Plan. Work will continue towards the development of the plan and the implementation of the annual operational plan. If you would like more information or wish to be involved, please contact Monique Dietrich. Contact: Monique.Dietrich@gov.ab.ca Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 2002 Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing Link: http://www.erwp.org/index.html
*Highwood Water Management Plan, Phase 1 Public Advisory Committee* The Phase 1 Public Advisory Committee was formed at the direction of the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB). The Public Advisory Committee was tasked with providing input to a revised plan for diversion of water from the Highwood River to the Little Bow River and Mosquito Creek. The diverted water would be used in the Little Bow project comprising the new Twin Valley Reservoir and water storage in Clear Lake. The Public Advisory Committee completed its recommendations in June 2006. The recommendations and a proposed diversion plan were submitted to the Natural Resources Conservation Board for review and final project approval. On April 14, 2008, the Natural Resources Conservation Board approved the diversion plan. In a separate but closely related initiative, Alberta Environment translated several of the Public Advisory Committee’s recommendations (those concerning broader water management policy) into the form of a statutory water management plan. Following a review by the the Public Advisory Committee management committee (the “Public Advisory Committee Core Group”) Alberta Environment finalized the plan in June 2008. There have been discussions with the Public Advisory Committee Core Group about future planning in the Highwood basin. One priority is to expand the water management plan to include the Sheep River basin. This would have the purpose of providing direction for water use and aquatic environment protection in that basin and the lower Highwood River downstream of its confluence with the Sheep. Monitoring the performance of the diversion plan is also a priority. Watershed management planning in the Highwood basin (including the Sheep sub-basin) will need to be coordinated with planning currently taking place for the Bow River basin as a whole, under the leadership of the Bow River Basin Council. Coordination will also be required with the Oldman Watershed Council concerning the Little Bow River watershed. If you would like more information or wish to be involved, please contact Andrea Czarnecki. Contact: Andrea.Czarnecki@gov.ab.ca Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 2001 Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing
*Milk River Watershed Council Canada* The Milk River Watershed Council Canada is a registered, non-profit society and Watershed Planning and Advisory Council under Alberta’s Water for Life Strategy. The Milk River Watershed Council Canada’s vision is: “a watershed where community well being is supported by a vibrant economy and sustained by a healthy environment that will endure as our legacy for future generations”. The goals of the Milk River Watershed Council Canada are to: Foster the sustainable use and integrated management of land and water resources; Monitor the quality of water in the Milk River and its tributaries, and promote quality domestic water supplies; Increase knowledge and awareness of conservation initiatives in the watershed and facilitate partnerships that will conserve wildlife and plant species diversity; Support and initiate programs that protect, maintain and improve riparian areas. Increase community awareness of the watershed; Maintain open and accurate dialogue between the Milk River Watershed Council Canada and the U.S. Milk River International Alliance; and, Pursue issues that will encourage economic development in the watershed. The Milk River Watershed Council Canada is currently preparing a State of the Watershed report, which will lead into a watershed management planning initiative. If you have comments or wish to get involved, please contact Sandi Riemersma, Project Coordinator for the Milk River Watershed Council Canada. Contact: sandi@milkriverwatershedcouncil.ca Contact: Terrence.Lazarus@gov.ab.ca Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 2005 Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing Link: http://www.milkriverwatershedcouncil.ca
*Nose Creek Watershed Partnership* The Nose Creek Watershed Partnership was initiated in 1998 to protect riparian areas and improve water quality in the Nose and west Nose Creeks. All partners involved work together to achieve these important objectives. The Nose Creek improvement strategy involves learning about the quality of water throughout the watershed, and identifying sources of contamination and initiating clean-up efforts and stewardship measures with all stakeholders. The Nose Creek Watershed Water Management Plan has now been adopted by the Municipal Councils of Calgary, Airdrie and the Municipal District of Rocky View to be used as a guidance document and planning tool. Current activities of the Nose Creek Watershed Partnership include: Implementing the Nose Creek Watershed Water Management Plan, Bioengineering projects, tree plantings, clean-up events and educational demonstrations, Workshops on Low Impact Development Practices towards reducing the impacts of storm water on the creek. If you would like more information or wish to be involved, please contact Mr. Jan Simonson. Contact: Jan.Simonson@gov.ab.ca Contact: erin@nosecreekpartnership.com Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 1998 Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing Link: http://www.nosecreekpartnership.com/index.html
*Oldman Watershed Council* The Oldman Watershed Council is a not-for-profit organization that is working in partnership with communities and residents to improve the Oldman River watershed. In 2004, the Oldman Watershed Council was officially recognized by the provincial government as a Watershed Planning and Advisory Council as identified under Alberta’s Water for Life Strategy. The Provincial Government is one of many partners that form the Oldman Watershed Council. All residents in the basin share their concern about the health of their watershed and are encouraged to discuss issues and share their input on what they would like to see happen in order to improve the watershed. This kind of participation allows residents to share and endorse, as well as take pride and ownership in creating a healthy functioning watershed. The goals of the Oldman Watershed Council are: We understand our watershed; Residents are well informed and actively engaged; Basin stakeholders have defined the desired outcomes for the Oldman Watershed that will form the basis for the Integrated Watershed Management Plan; The Oldman Watershed Council and stakeholders put into action the capacity and commitment to achieve defined outcomes; and, Practices that are beneficial to the health and function of the watershed are adopted. The Oldman Watershed Council is currently working on a State of the Watershed report, which will lead into a watershed management planning initiative. If you have comments or wish to get involved, please contact Stephanie Palechek, Executive Director of the Oldman Watershed Council. Contact: stephanie@oldmanbasin.org Contact: Cheryl.Dash@gov.ab.ca Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 2004 Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing Link: http://www.oldmanbasin.org/
*Prairie Conservation Forum* The Prairie Conservation Forum is a large voluntary coalition of organizations interested in the conservation of native prairie and parkland environments in Alberta. The Prairie Conservation Forum, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2009, is focused on the stewardship of native biodiversity in prairie and parkland Alberta through the current Alberta Prairie Conservation Action Plan (2006-2010). The goals of the Prairie Conservation Forum include: Research: enhance the information base for Alberta’s native prairie and parkland landscapes; Stewardship: conserve Alberta’s native prairie and landscapes; and, Education: increase awareness of the values and importance of Alberta’s native prairie and parkland ecosystems. The Prairie Conservation Forum has pioneered environmental partnerships, environmental cumulative effects and environmental inventories. It is currently aligning its efforts to provide decision support tools and processes in support of defining biodiversity outcomes nested within the framework of the Land Use Framework. If you would like more information or wish to be involved, please contact Cheryl Dash. Contact: Cheryl.Dash@gov.ab.ca Contact: info@albertapcf.org Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 1989 Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing Link: http://www.albertapcf.org
*Riparian Land Conservation and Management Project* Riparian land is the area adjacent to water bodies where the vegetation and soils are strongly influenced by water, both on the surface and below the ground. Healthy intact riparian lands deliver broad benefits to society, including: cleaner water due to decreased erosion and filtering; flood protection; maintenance of terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity and enhanced aesthetic and recreational opportunities. A variety of municipal governments and stewardship organizations have initiatives underway to conserve, manage and restore riparian land. The goals of this project are to: Develop provincial outcomes (goals) for riparian land conservation and management; Develop a riparian management framework for different natural regions and watersheds; Develop appropriate riparian monitoring tools; and, Target education and outreach activities to help private landowners, developers, communities and politicians understand the value of riparian lands. If you would like more information or wish to be involved, please contact Heather Sinton. Contact: Janet.McLean@gov.ab.ca Contact: Heather.Sinton@gov.ab.ca Contact: Jan.Simonson@gov.ab.ca Contact: Kim.Westcott@gov.ab.ca; Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 2005 Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing
*South East Alberta Watershed Alliance* The South East Alberta Watershed Alliance is a Watershed Planning and Advisory Council under Alberta’s Water for Life Strategy. Formed by stakeholders in 2007, the South East Alberta Watershed Alliance’s mission is to: provide a conduit to bring diverse partners together to advocate for the sustainable management of the South Saskatchewan River watershed; and to plan for the efficient, responsible use and ensure the integrity of our watershed for current and future generations. The goals of the South East Alberta Watershed Alliance are to: Improve water quality and quantity, and encourage vibrant natural habitats and ecosystems. Inform, educate and engage residents and other stakeholders with respect to watershed issues. Provide a forum as an opportunity for positive, informative and enjoyable interaction between stakeholders. Elicit relevant science and technology to foster a healthy, sustainable watershed. Initiate and maintain a current State of the Watershed report. Create an integrated Watershed Management Plan to address issues and desired outcomes. Promote, coordinate and support action to implement the Watershed Management Plan. Evaluate our actions to ensure they achieve defined outcomes. Provide liaison and cooperative action with the Alberta Water Council, other Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils, and Watershed Stewardship Groups. The South East Alberta Watershed Alliance is currently completing phase one of its State of the Watershed report. The report will be interactive and available online by 2010. Following the State of the Watershed report, the South East Alberta Watershed Alliance will begin preparing a Watershed Management Plan for the main stem of the South Saskatchewan River. If you have comments or wish to get involved, please contact Bob Philips, Executive Director for the South East Alberta Watershed Alliance. Contact: Audrey.Goodwin@gov.ab.ca Contact: Bob@seawa.ca Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 2007 Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing Link: http://www.seawa.ca

Southern Alberta Initiatives

Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership

The Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership is a partnership whose mission is to protect and maintain the integrity of the natural environment while promoting the growth and prosperity of Alberta’s urban centers. The partnership is comprised of municipal and provincial governments, provincial agencies, and non-profit organizations that share an interest in promoting changes in land development practices so the degradation of the natural environment is prevented or reduced. The number one goal of the Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership is to facilitate the development of a made in Alberta low impact development strategy that is consistent with and achieves the desired outcomes of the province's Water for Life initiative.

Recent work of the Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership includes:

Making progress in defining how the Province's Water for Life vision will be translated into actions on the ground by educating and encouraging land developers to utilize low impact development practices;
Continued collaboration with British Columbia regarding the elements of an inter-provincial partnership; and,
Introduction of the Water Balance Model, which provides practitioners with a ‘runoff-based tool' for source control evaluation and stream health assessment. The ‘runoff-based approach' holds the key to assessing environmental impacts in watercourses and the effectiveness of mitigation techniques.

If you would like more information on the Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership or wish to be involved, please contact Brian Chinery.

Contact: Brian.Chinery@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 2004
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing

Link: http://www.waterbalance.ca/waterbalance/home/wbnAB
Index.asp

Apportionment of the St. Mary and Milk River between Canada and the United States

The 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty and the 1921 Order of the International Joint Commission governs the sharing of the waters of the St. Mary and Milk Rivers. In 2003, the State of Montana requested that the International Joint Commission open the 1921 Order for review. Alberta’s objective is to ensure its rights to the waters of the St. Mary and Milk River, as defined by the 1921 Order, are not reduced. Alberta has represented its interests to the International Joint Commission and been working with local interest groups and stakeholders (such as the Alberta Irrigation Projects Association and municipalities) to assist them to prepare for and participate in International Joint Commission activities, if they decide to do so, at public meetings and submissions.

Contact: Sal.Figliuzzi@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: May 2004 and as required
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing

Link: http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/GWSW/Quantity/Wate
rinAlberta/Apportionment/TB_Transboundary/TB2_
boundary_waters_treaty.html

Bow River Basin Council

The Bow River Basin Council was recognized by the Provincial Government as the Watershed Planning and Advisory Council for the Bow River Basin in December 2004. The mission of the Bow River Basin Council is to provide or support actions for the purposes of protecting and improving the waters of the Bow River Basin and with respect to any social, cultural, economic and environmental aspects.

The Bow River Basin Council completed the Bow Basin Watershed Management Plan: Phase One Water Quality in September 2008.

Goals for 2009/10 include:

Implementation of the Bow Basin Watershed Management Plan recommendations via a multi-stakeholder Bow Basin Watershed Management Plan Implementation Committee.
Concept development for future State of the Watershed reporting.
Identification of future planning phases for the Bow Basin Watershed Management Plan.
Successful delivery of the Bow River Basin Council quarterly forums utilizing enhanced networking and sharing of information.
Timely completion of the Bow River Basin Council newsletters and updates to the Bow River Basin Council website.

Contact: Mark.Bennett@brbc.ab.ca
Contact: Rob.Wolfe@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: There are no public involvement initiatives scheduled at this time. To learn more about the Bow River Basin Council and their projects, or if you wish to get involved, please visit the Bow River Basin Council website at the address shown below.
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: There are no public initiatives scheduled at this time.

Link: http://www.brbc.ab.ca

Calgary Regional Airshed Zone

Alberta Environment is working in partnership with the Calgary Health Region and the Clean Air Strategic Alliance to establish a multi-stakeholder group to develop the Calgary Region Airshed Zone.

Calgary Region Airshed Zone will help to:

Identify air quality issues specific to the region;
Understand major factors affecting air quality in the region through improved air quality monitoring;
Provide insight on possible impacts of air quality on human and environmental health; and,
Develop an air quality management plan for the region by 2008 to address intermittent high levels of ozone and particulate matter.

Airshed zones enable local stakeholders to design solutions to address regional or local air quality issues. Airshed zones are guided by local or regional multi-stakeholder non-profit societies who use the Clean Air Strategic Alliance consensus model to make decisions.

Alberta Environment is an active member of Calgary Region Airshed Zone. If you would like more information or wish to be involved, please contact Heather Sinton.

Contact: Heather.Sinton@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: August 2003
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing

Link: http://www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/hecomm/envhealth
/Ambient_Air_Quality/Ambient_Air_Quality_infor
mation.htm

Calgary Regional Partnership

The Calgary Regional Partnership is an incorporated association of nineteen municipalities and communities in the Calgary Region from Banff, to Crossfield, to Wheatland County, to Nanton. The Calgary Regional Partnership’s motto “thinking regionally and acting locally” applies to its many projects aimed at sustainable environments, sustainable prosperity and sustainable municipal services.

The Calgary Regional Partnership is currently managing a variety of projects such as:

Regional Water/Waste Water Servicing Project;
Regional Geographic Information System Project;
Organizational Capacity Project;
Enhancement of Community Capacity Project;
Opportunity Identification Project;
Marketing of the Calgary region;
Organic Waste Reduction Project;
Specialized Transportation Demonstration Project; and,
Emergency Communications Enhancement Project.

Alberta Environment is an active member of the Calgary Regional Partnership. If you would like more information on the Calgary Regional Partnership or wish to be involved, please contact Jay Litke.

Contact: Jay.Litke@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 2002
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing

Link: http://www.calgaryregion.ca/

Chestermere Lake Working Group

The Chestermere Lake Working Group was initiated by the City of Calgary to:

Evaluate management options for dealing with water quality problems at Chestermere Lake; and,
Recommend a plan of action.

The Chestermere Lake Working Group is comprised of Alberta Environment, the City of Calgary, the MD of Rocky View, the Town of Chestermere and the Western Irrigation District.

The key water quality problems in Chestermere Lake have included extensive growth of aquatic plants and sediment infilling due to urban run-off.

Future work will include efforts to:

Assess current and future nutrient and sediment loadings;
Determine loadings targets; and
Evaluate potential sites and costs for a settling basin.

If you would like more information, please contact Al Sosiak.

Contact: Al.Sosiak@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 2002
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing

Crown Managers Partnership

The Crown Managers Partnership is a trans-boundary regional agency partnership focused on shared, place-based environmental outcomes. The partnership is comprised of federal, state, provincial and First Nations land and resource management agencies in Alberta, Montana and B.C.

The Crown Managers Partnership objectives are to:

Build understanding and awareness of the ecological health of the Crown of the Continent ecosystem;
Address increasing human activity and pressures on environmental resources; and,
Create effective collaboration among multiple agencies.

The Crown Managers Partnership has adopted a strategic priority, the “Managing for Ecological Health" project. The project is intended to define an appropriate level of environmental quality for the Crown of the Continent ecosystem assured by the management actions of multiple agencies each exercising their own jurisdiction with common goals in mind. The project is proceeding through various logical steps:

Defining what health means in the Crown context
Describing the current state of the Crown
Understanding the trajectories that have taken the region to this point and the likely future trajectories and their environmental implications
Identifying with the broader community and stakeholders the desired state for the Crown.
Collaborative and adaptive environmental and natural resource management to achieve the desired state.

If you would like more information or wish to be involved, please contact Ian Dyson.

Contact: Ian.Dyson@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 2001
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing

Link: http://www.rockies.ca/cmp/

Elbow River Watershed Partnership

The Elbow River Watershed Partnership was initiated in 2002 to provide recommendations for the protection, restoration, and maintenance of the Elbow River watershed. The Elbow River Watershed Partnership supports and encourages all stakeholders in the watershed to protect and enhance water quality and quantity.

The goals of the Elbow River Watershed Partnership are to:

Encourage individuals and communities to take responsibility to protect and enhance water quality and quantity in the Elbow River watershed;
Encourage the use of new technologies for water conservation;
Encourage best water management and land use practices;
Encourage cooperation, coordination and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders;
Minimize the negative impacts of land uses on water quality and quantity; and,
Increase awareness and understanding of the watershed.

Currently, the Elbow River Watershed Partnership is determining linkages with the Bow River Basin Council and its watershed management planning activities and has completed a draft Terms of Reference for an Elbow River Watershed Management Plan. Work will continue towards the development of the plan and the implementation of the annual operational plan.

If you would like more information or wish to be involved, please contact Monique Dietrich.

Contact: Monique.Dietrich@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 2002
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing

Link: http://www.erwp.org/index.html

Highwood Water Management Plan, Phase 1 Public Advisory Committee

The Phase 1 Public Advisory Committee was formed at the direction of the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB). The Public Advisory Committee was tasked with providing input to a revised plan for diversion of water from the Highwood River to the Little Bow River and Mosquito Creek. The diverted water would be used in the Little Bow project comprising the new Twin Valley Reservoir and water storage in Clear Lake.

The Public Advisory Committee completed its recommendations in June 2006. The recommendations and a proposed diversion plan were submitted to the Natural Resources Conservation Board for review and final project approval. On April 14, 2008, the Natural Resources Conservation Board approved the diversion plan.

In a separate but closely related initiative, Alberta Environment translated several of the Public Advisory Committee’s recommendations (those concerning broader water management policy) into the form of a statutory water management plan. Following a review by the the Public Advisory Committee management committee (the “Public Advisory Committee Core Group”) Alberta Environment finalized the plan in June 2008.

There have been discussions with the Public Advisory Committee Core Group about future planning in the Highwood basin. One priority is to expand the water management plan to include the Sheep River basin. This would have the purpose of providing direction for water use and aquatic environment protection in that basin and the lower Highwood River downstream of its confluence with the Sheep. Monitoring the performance of the diversion plan is also a priority.

Watershed management planning in the Highwood basin (including the Sheep sub-basin) will need to be coordinated with planning currently taking place for the Bow River basin as a whole, under the leadership of the Bow River Basin Council. Coordination will also be required with the Oldman Watershed Council concerning the Little Bow River watershed.

If you would like more information or wish to be involved, please contact Andrea Czarnecki.

Contact: Andrea.Czarnecki@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 2001
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing

Milk River Watershed Council Canada

The Milk River Watershed Council Canada is a registered, non-profit society and Watershed Planning and Advisory Council under Alberta’s Water for Life Strategy. The Milk River Watershed Council Canada’s vision is: “a watershed where community well being is supported by a vibrant economy and sustained by a healthy environment that will endure as our legacy for future generations”.

The goals of the Milk River Watershed Council Canada are to:

Foster the sustainable use and integrated management of land and water resources;
Monitor the quality of water in the Milk River and its tributaries, and promote quality domestic water supplies;
Increase knowledge and awareness of conservation initiatives in the watershed and facilitate partnerships that will conserve wildlife and plant species diversity;
Support and initiate programs that protect, maintain and improve riparian areas.
Increase community awareness of the watershed;
Maintain open and accurate dialogue between the Milk River Watershed Council Canada and the U.S. Milk River International Alliance; and,
Pursue issues that will encourage economic development in the watershed.

The Milk River Watershed Council Canada is currently preparing a State of the Watershed report, which will lead into a watershed management planning initiative.

If you have comments or wish to get involved, please contact Sandi Riemersma, Project Coordinator for the Milk River Watershed Council Canada.

Contact: sandi@milkriverwatershedcouncil.ca
Contact: Terrence.Lazarus@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 2005
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing

Link: http://www.milkriverwatershedcouncil.ca

Nose Creek Watershed Partnership

The Nose Creek Watershed Partnership was initiated in 1998 to protect riparian areas and improve water quality in the Nose and west Nose Creeks. All partners involved work together to achieve these important objectives.

The Nose Creek improvement strategy involves learning about the quality of water throughout the watershed, and identifying sources of contamination and initiating clean-up efforts and stewardship measures with all stakeholders. The Nose Creek Watershed Water Management Plan has now been adopted by the Municipal Councils of Calgary, Airdrie and the Municipal District of Rocky View to be used as a guidance document and planning tool.

Current activities of the Nose Creek Watershed Partnership include:

Implementing the Nose Creek Watershed Water Management Plan,
Bioengineering projects, tree plantings, clean-up events and educational demonstrations,
Workshops on Low Impact Development Practices towards reducing the impacts of storm water on the creek.

If you would like more information or wish to be involved, please contact Mr. Jan Simonson.

Contact: Jan.Simonson@gov.ab.ca
Contact: erin@nosecreekpartnership.com

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 1998
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing

Link: http://www.nosecreekpartnership.com/index.html

Oldman Watershed Council

The Oldman Watershed Council is a not-for-profit organization that is working in partnership with communities and residents to improve the Oldman River watershed. In 2004, the Oldman Watershed Council was officially recognized by the provincial government as a Watershed Planning and Advisory Council as identified under Alberta’s Water for Life Strategy. The Provincial Government is one of many partners that form the Oldman Watershed Council.

All residents in the basin share their concern about the health of their watershed and are encouraged to discuss issues and share their input on what they would like to see happen in order to improve the watershed. This kind of participation allows residents to share and endorse, as well as take pride and ownership in creating a healthy functioning watershed. The goals of the Oldman Watershed Council are:

We understand our watershed;
Residents are well informed and actively engaged;
Basin stakeholders have defined the desired outcomes for the Oldman Watershed that will form the basis for the Integrated Watershed Management Plan;
The Oldman Watershed Council and stakeholders put into action the capacity and commitment to achieve defined outcomes; and,
Practices that are beneficial to the health and function of the watershed are adopted.

The Oldman Watershed Council is currently working on a State of the Watershed report, which will lead into a watershed management planning initiative.

If you have comments or wish to get involved, please contact Stephanie Palechek, Executive Director of the Oldman Watershed Council.

Contact: stephanie@oldmanbasin.org
Contact: Cheryl.Dash@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 2004
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing

Link: http://www.oldmanbasin.org/

Prairie Conservation Forum

The Prairie Conservation Forum is a large voluntary coalition of organizations interested in the conservation of native prairie and parkland environments in Alberta. The Prairie Conservation Forum, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2009, is focused on the stewardship of native biodiversity in prairie and parkland Alberta through the current Alberta Prairie Conservation Action Plan (2006-2010).

The goals of the Prairie Conservation Forum include:

Research: enhance the information base for Alberta’s native prairie and parkland landscapes;
Stewardship: conserve Alberta’s native prairie and landscapes; and,
Education: increase awareness of the values and importance of Alberta’s native prairie and parkland ecosystems.

The Prairie Conservation Forum has pioneered environmental partnerships, environmental cumulative effects and environmental inventories. It is currently aligning its efforts to provide decision support tools and processes in support of defining biodiversity outcomes nested within the framework of the Land Use Framework.

If you would like more information or wish to be involved, please contact Cheryl Dash.

Contact: Cheryl.Dash@gov.ab.ca
Contact: info@albertapcf.org

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 1989
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing

Link: http://www.albertapcf.org

Riparian Land Conservation and Management Project

Riparian land is the area adjacent to water bodies where the vegetation and soils are strongly influenced by water, both on the surface and below the ground. Healthy intact riparian lands deliver broad benefits to society, including: cleaner water due to decreased erosion and filtering; flood protection; maintenance of terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity and enhanced aesthetic and recreational opportunities. A variety of municipal governments and stewardship organizations have initiatives underway to conserve, manage and restore riparian land.

The goals of this project are to:

Develop provincial outcomes (goals) for riparian land conservation and management;
Develop a riparian management framework for different natural regions and watersheds;
Develop appropriate riparian monitoring tools; and,
Target education and outreach activities to help private landowners, developers, communities and politicians understand the value of riparian lands.

If you would like more information or wish to be involved, please contact Heather Sinton.

Contact: Janet.McLean@gov.ab.ca
Contact: Heather.Sinton@gov.ab.ca
Contact: Jan.Simonson@gov.ab.ca
Contact: Kim.Westcott@gov.ab.ca;

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 2005
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing

South East Alberta Watershed Alliance

The South East Alberta Watershed Alliance is a Watershed Planning and Advisory Council under Alberta’s Water for Life Strategy. Formed by stakeholders in 2007, the South East Alberta Watershed Alliance’s mission is to: provide a conduit to bring diverse partners together to advocate for the sustainable management of the South Saskatchewan River watershed; and to plan for the efficient, responsible use and ensure the integrity of our watershed for current and future generations.

The goals of the South East Alberta Watershed Alliance are to:

Improve water quality and quantity, and encourage vibrant natural habitats and ecosystems.
Inform, educate and engage residents and other stakeholders with respect to watershed issues.
Provide a forum as an opportunity for positive, informative and enjoyable interaction between stakeholders.
Elicit relevant science and technology to foster a healthy, sustainable watershed.
Initiate and maintain a current State of the Watershed report.
Create an integrated Watershed Management Plan to address issues and desired outcomes.
Promote, coordinate and support action to implement the Watershed Management Plan.
Evaluate our actions to ensure they achieve defined outcomes.
Provide liaison and cooperative action with the Alberta Water Council, other Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils, and Watershed Stewardship Groups.

The South East Alberta Watershed Alliance is currently completing phase one of its State of the Watershed report. The report will be interactive and available online by 2010. Following the State of the Watershed report, the South East Alberta Watershed Alliance will begin preparing a Watershed Management Plan for the main stem of the South Saskatchewan River.

If you have comments or wish to get involved, please contact Bob Philips, Executive Director for the South East Alberta Watershed Alliance.

Contact: Audrey.Goodwin@gov.ab.ca
Contact: Bob@seawa.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 2007
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing

Link: http://www.seawa.ca