Northern River Basins Study - Alberta Environment
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Northern River Basins Study - Alberta Environment Contact Us Search Location: Alberta Government > Environment > Water > Northern River Basins Study Air | Land | Water | Climate Change | Waste | About Us | Quick Links Advisories Online Reporting Last Review/Updated: February 28, 2007 Northern River Basins Study Following the closing of the Northern River Basins Study Office in June 1996, Alberta Environment is ensuring that the study findings from this publicly funded research program are made available to the general public through a wide range of avenues. This Web page is presented to communicate Northern River some basic information about the study and to display the Final Report. The departmental review is underway on this report and its recommendations as well as on other component reports of the Basins Study study. For additional information about the Northern River Basins Study, please contact the Alberta Final Report Environment Information Centre by e-mail at [email protected] , by phone at (780) 427- Table of Contents 22700 or by Fax at (780) 422-4086 or you can write to: (Report updated Alberta Environment, based on errata Information Centre, Main Floor to July 8, 1996) 9820 - 106 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2J6 What is the Northern River Basins Study? The Northern River Basins Study (NRBS) is a four-and-one-half year, $12-million project that examined the relationships between industrial, agricultural, municipal and other development, and the Peace, Athabasca and Slave River basins. Who funded the Study? The Study was co-funded by the governments of Canada and Alberta. The government of the Northwest Territories also participated in the Study. Who managed the Study? The Study was managed by a 25-member Study Board made up of aboriginal leaders, government officials, municipal representatives, along with members of the environmental, health, agricultural, industrial and public sectors. On a day-to-day basis, the Study was managed by a Study Office led by a Study Director and a Science Director. How did the NRBS complete its scientific work? The Northern River Basins Study divided its research into eight component areas. Work in each area was led by an expert component leader. Research groups included the following: contaminants, drinking water, food chain, hydrology/hydraulics, nutrients, other river uses, synthesis and modelling, and traditional knowledge. In total, 150 projects or "mini studies" were initiated. Who completed the work? http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/nrbs/ (1 of 2) [10/3/2012 10:00:27 AM] Northern River Basins Study - Alberta Environment Scientific work was completed by private companies, individuals, government agencies and educational institutions. Who oversaw the results? The Study Board appointed a seven-member Science Advisory Committee, a group of renowned independent scientists, to oversee the Study's scientific work. What role did members of the public play? Throughout the Study, community gatherings, public meetings, science forums and workshops were held to gather public comments, concerns and suggestions. Input from the public provided local perspectives to the Board and assisted in the formation of the science program and development of final recommendations. How was the Study's scientific work compiled? Leaders of each component group developed a synthesis report that summarized research and scientific findings. The Study Board reviewed all scientific findings and recommendations, along with public comments, and developed a series of recommendations regarding the future monitoring, study and management of the Peace, Athabasca and Slave Rivers. What will be done with the information collected? All information gathered by the Study, including data, reports and synthesis documents, is available to the public and to other interested parties. As well, this information has been provided to governments, organizations and educational institutions for public review. What has happened with the recommendations? The recommendations contained in the final report have been submitted to the governments of Canada, Alberta and the Northwest Territories. Ministers representing Environment Canada, Alberta Environmental Protection, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and the Northwest Territories Department of Renewable Resources are reviewing these recommendations for potential follow-up. Northern River Basins Study Final Report Table of Contents (Report updated based on errata to July 8, 1996) Environment Home | Search | Contact Us | Privacy Statement | Minister's Office Expenses Emergency Numbers The user agrees to the terms and conditions set out in the Copyright and Disclaimer statement. © 2009 Government of Alberta http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/nrbs/ (2 of 2) [10/3/2012 10:00:27 AM] Northern River Basins Study Final Report - Table of Contents - Alberta Environment Contact Us Search Location: Alberta Government > Environment > Water > Northern River Basin Study - Home > Table of Contents Air | Land | Water | Climate Change | Waste | About Us | Quick Links Advisories Online Reporting Last Review/Updated: July 3, 2002 Northern River Basins Study Final Report Table of Contents Dedication Transmittal Letter Key Findings and Recommendations Preamble 1.0 Background 1.1 Introduction to the Northern River Basins NRBS - Home 1.2 The Peace River 1.3 The Athabasca River 1.4 The Peace - Athabasca Delta 1.5 The Slave River and Delta 1.6 The People of the Basins and the Genesis of the Study Relevant Documents for Section 1 2.0 Study Organization 2.1 Overview 2.2 The Science Program 2.3 Human Health 2.4 Community Participation 3.0 Major Findings 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Environmental Overview 3.3 Use of Aquatic Resources 3.4 Traditional Knowledge 3.5 Flow Regulation 3.6 Fish Distribution, Movement and Habitat 3.7 Nutrients 3.8 Dissolved Oxygen 3.9 Contaminants 3.10 Drinking Water 3.11 Ecosystem Health 3.12 Modelling 3.13 Human Health 3.14 Cumulative Effects 4.0 Study Board Recommendations 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Basin Management 4.3 Reach Specific Issues 4.4 Monitoring 4.5 Research 4.6 Public Participation http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/nrbs/toc.html (1 of 2) [10/3/2012 10:00:32 AM] Northern River Basins Study Final Report - Table of Contents - Alberta Environment 4.7 Successor Organization 5.0 First Nations / Métis Recommendations 5.1 Background and Board Position 5.2 First Nations / Métis Issues: Recommendations to the NRBS Board 6.0 Workshop Comments 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Post NRBS / Interjurisdictional Bodies 6.3 Discharge / River Health 6.4 Regulations and Monitoring 6.5 Future Studies 6.6 Traditional Knowledge 6.7 Citizen Involvement 6.8 First Nations 6.9 Education / Communication 6.10 Human Health 6.11 Other Recommendations 7.0 Appendices 7.1 Laying the Groundwork: The Intergovernmental Steering Committee 7.2 Northern River Basins Study Agreement 7.3 NRBS Organization 7.4 NRBS Membership 7.5 The Evolution of the Science Program 7.6 Concurrent Investigations and Companion Studies 7.7 Science Component Recommendations 7.8 Possible Successor Structures Considered Glossary Units of Measure Guide to Abbreviations NRBS Documents Go to NRBS Fact Sheet Go to Governments' Response to NRBS Environment Home | Search | Contact Us | Privacy Statement | Minister's Office Expenses Emergency Numbers The user agrees to the terms and conditions set out in the Copyright and Disclaimer statement. © 2009 Government of Alberta http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/nrbs/toc.html (2 of 2) [10/3/2012 10:00:32 AM] Dedication - Northern River Basin Study Final Report - Alberta Environment Contact Us Search Location: Alberta Government > Environment > Water > Northern River Basin Study - Home > Table of Contents > Dedication Air | Land | Water | Climate Change | Waste | About Us | Quick Links Advisories Online Reporting Last Review/Updated: July 3, 2002 Northern River Basins Study Final Report Dedication This report is dedicated to the memory of Mr. Bev Burns who served as co-chair to the Northern River Basins Study Board from 1991 to 1994. Bev was a man of vision and wisdom who articulated the concept of the NRBS as a social experiment as well as a scientific study. Bev also played a major role in shaping the course of the NRBS. His dedication to the environment and the people of the north will be remembered. In his honour, Study members established a scholarship at the University of Alberta for deserving students in the field of environmental studies. NRBS - Home Table of Contents ...PREVIOUS NEXT... Environment Home | Search | Contact Us | Privacy Statement | Minister's Office Expenses Emergency Numbers The user agrees to the terms and conditions set out in the Copyright and Disclaimer statement. © 2009 Government of Alberta http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/nrbs/misc/dedication.html [10/3/2012 10:00:34 AM] Transmittal Letter - Northern River Basin Study Final Report - Alberta Environment Contact Us Search Location: Alberta Government > Environment > Water > Northern River Basin Study - Home > Table of Contents > Transmittal Letter Air | Land | Water | Climate Change | Waste | About Us | Quick Links Advisories Online Reporting Last Review/Updated: September 4, 2002 NRBS - Home Table of Contents Transmittal Letter June 5, 1996 The Honourable Sergio Marchi Minister of Environment Government of Canada The Honourable Ty Lund Minister of Environmental Protection Government of Alberta The Honourable Ron Irwin Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Government of Canada The Honourable Stephen Kakfwi Minister of Renewable Resources