Table Of Content

ISBN No. 0-7/85-1737-3 (printed edition) ISBN No. 0-7785-1738-1 (online edition) I1M integrated resource management As our economy continues to f lourish and our population explodes, effective water management will be essential for e nsuring reliable water quantity and q uality. The Alberta Advantage has always been about striking the right b alance between a s ustainable environment and the economic and social well being of Albertans. There is a bsolutely no doubt that we face some major challenges in t he y ears to come as the uses and users of w ater are often at odds. These inter-relationships must be recognized in p lanning. It i s a t ask for a ll o f u s to ensure a s uitable water management system is i n p lace for t he p rotection and benefit of a ll A lbertans. The Framework for Water Management Planning outlines the p lanning direction for w ater throughout the province. It i s i ntended to p rovide consistent direction, while at the same time allowing for e nough flexibility to address different situations. The Framework for Water Management Planning supports sustainable resource and environmental management, recognizes both short- and long-term needs and values for w ater, and considers local and regional perspectives. Central to it i s t he Strategy for t he Protection of t he Aquatic Environment. This Strategy affirms government's commitment to not only m aintaining and restoring the aquatic ecosystem but also enhancing it. The Government of A lberta is c ommitted to making resource decisions within the context of t his Strategy. All Albertans share the responsibility to ensure that a resilient and healthy aquatic environment is s ustained for present and future generations. This framework is t he cornerstone for w ater management planning that will ensure Alberta continues to b e the very b est p lace to l ive, w ork and p lay w ell into the century. Lome Taylor Minister of E nvironment Table of C ontents 1.0 1.1 Background 1 1. 2 Intent of t he Framework for W ater Management Planning 1 1. 3 Sustainable Resource and Environmental Management 2 1. 4 Strategy for t he Protection of t he Aquatic Environment 4 2.0 2.1 Vision and Principles 7 2.2 Integration, Responsibility and Roles 9 2.3 Scope of P lanning for W ater Management 10 2.4 Planning Priorities 11 3.0 3.1 Water Management Plans 13 3.2 Approved Water Management Plans 14 3.3 Water Conservation Objectives 15 3.4 Guidance for R esource Management Decisions 16 ii Framework 4.1 Issue Identification 19 4.2 Terms of R eference 19 4.3 Public Consultation 20 4.4 Planning Area 20 4.5 Collection of I nformation 21 4.6 Recommendations for A ddressing the Issues 21 4.7 Performance Monitoring 22 4.8 Documentation 22 4.9 Approval 23 4.1 0 Review ond Amendment 23 Strategy for the Protection of the Aquatic 5.0 Environment 5.1 Introduction 25 5.2 The Aquatic Environment 26 5.3 Protection of t he Aquatic Environment 27 ■ A lberta's Commitment to the Protection of t he Aquatic Environment 27 ■ S etting Priorities for t he Protection of t he Aquatic Environment 29 5.4 Implementation of t he Strategy 29 ■ O bjectives for P rotection 29 ■ K nowledge and Understanding 30 ■ A chieving Protection 32 Table 1 Implementation of t he Strategy for t he Protection of t he Aquatic Environment 34 Framework FOR WATER MANAGEMENT PLANNING 1.0 Setting the Stage Background 1.1 During the 19 90s, guided by e xtensive public consultation, Alberta Environment reviewed water management policies and legislation. The g oal w as to establish a b lueprint for t he sustainable management of w ater in A lberta. By l istening to A lbertans, a v ision and p rinciples for s ustainable water management were developed. New policies to g uide water management were adopted by g overnment. A c omprehensive new statute, the Water Act, w as created and is n ow in e ffect, providing legislative authority for t he implementation of t hese policies. Throughout the review process, Albertans made it c lear that g overnment needed to ensure sustainable water management and a h ealthy aquatic environment. The g overnment agreed that effective and efficient water management planning is e ssential and made a c ommitment through Part 2, D ivision 1 o f t he Water Act to develop a d ocument to g uide such planning called Ihe Framework for Water Management Planning (Framework). A m ajor component of t he Framework and a requirement of t he Water Act is t he Strategy for t he Protection of t he Aquatic Environment (Strategy). The Strategy details the g overnment's commitment to maintaining, restoring or enhancing the condition of t he aquatic environment. Both the Framework and Strategy are presented in t his document. Intent of the Framework for Water Management Planning 1.2 Water management planning has been practiced in t he p rovince for m any years. However, after listening to Albertans, it w as clear g overnment needed to f ormalize the p rocess. The Framework for Water Management Planning tries not to reinvent the wheel but reflects successes from past experience while introducing innovative requirements based on an increased understanding of t he complexity of t he environment and the challenges of the future. The Framework outlines the p rocess for w ater management planning and the components required for water management plans in t he p rovince. It a pplies to all t ypes of w aterbodies, including streams, rivers, lakes, aquifers and wetlands, and takes a h olistic approach. The Framework recognizes that no two situations are exactly alike and therefore is n ot intended to b e a d etailed user's manual on how to p repare water management plans. Rather, it i s m eant to p rovide general guidance for t he p lanning process. A w ater management plan c an be developed by a nyone. It c an be a s ingle issue such as a l ake cleanup or involve multiple issues in a major river basin. However, any person developing a w ater management plan m ust follow the Framework for Water Management Planning. The Framework for Water Management Planning will be reviewed every five y ears to make sure it r emains current and continues to support sustainable water management. I Framework FOR WATER MANAGEMENT PLANNING Sustainable Resource 1.3 and Environmental Management . The Framework for Water Management Planning has been designed to b e consistent with the document Alberta's Commitment to S ustainable Resource and Environmental Management. This commitment to sustainable development outlines a s hared vision, provides provincial direction and highlights the importance of e ffective and up-to-date decision-making and regulatory processes. Integrated Resource Management (IRM), the interdisciplinary and comprehensive approach to d ecision-making, is the method by w hich this commitment will be achieved. The Framework is c onsistent with these principles. IRM incorporates decisions, legislation, policies, programs and activities across resource sectors to g ain the best overall long-term benefits for s ociety and the environment and to minimize conflicts. This approach recognizes the inter-relationships between resources. For example, one can't contemplate agricultural land use without also considering its e ffects on water quality. A w ater management plan m ust also consider its e ffects on present and future agricultural use such as irrigation in t he p lanning area. The Framework recognizes the linkages between water management planning and planning that occurs for o ther resources. It i s c ritical that water management planning and decision-making be integrated with other planning initiatives and decision-making for o ther resources such as f orests, fish, w ildlife, petroleum, minerals and public and private lands. Where appropriate, water management plans will support existing Regional Strategies. Such Regional Strategies will define goals and address issues that cover the full r ange of a ir, w ater and public land resources. Regional Strategies, developed in c ollaboration with stakeholders and affected communities, will guide planning within each region. Partnerships between resource managers will p rovide for t he exchange of information and a b etter understanding of h ow decisions made for o ne resource can impact others. 2 Framework FOR WATER MANAGEMENT PLANNSNG Integrated resource management is based on the following principles: Natural resource management decision-making will consider the full r ange of e nvironmental, social, health and economic interests and values and integrate their management into an effective whole. IRM will be f uture oriented. It w ill attempt to anticipate natural resource management issues and needs to provide a more predictable context for t hose who wish to use or enjoy Alberta's natural resources. Management will also be adaptive, responding to experience, new information, shifts in s ocial preference, technological innovations and unexpected situations. Those affected by d ecisions will be consulted before action is t aken. Open communication will be s upported. Decision-making processes will be f air a nd will p rovide public access to relevant information. Decision-making will be based on understanding the p otential consequences of c hoices. Decision-making processes will strive for e fficient use of t ime and financial resources. Decisions should contribute to achieving the g overnment's goals and objectives. Lines of a ccountability for p rocesses, products and implementation must be clear. Decision-makers will be accountable for t heir decisions. Products and processes will be straightforward, not open to a w ide range of i nterpretations. Roles and responsibilities will be w ell defined. 3 Framework Strategy for the Protection of the Aquatic Environment The Water Act requires that a S trategy for t he Protection of t he Aquatic Environment (Strategy) be established as part of t he Framework for Water Management Planning for t he p rovince. The Strategy is a n intrinsic part of w ater management planning and must be considered within all r esource planning activities that may affect the aquatic environment. The aquatic environment can be defined in t erms of w ater quantity, water quality, habitat and aquatic species. Protection of t he aquatic environment will be achieved through the active management and regulation of activities and water uses that affect these four elements. Objectives for t he p rotection of t he aquatic environment must be understood and considered in t he development of a ny water management plans or other resource planning activities. The aquatic environment is p art of a c omplex and interconnected natural system. Cooperation between water managers and users and managers of o ther natural resources is t herefore essential for t he p rotection of t he aquatic environment. Alberta Environment works cooperatively with other provincial government departments, other governments and the p ublic to ensure an integrated resource management approach that supports the protection of t he aquatic environment. Framework FOR WATER MANAGEMENT PLANNING