Guidebook to Water Management Background Information on Organizations, Policies, Legislation, Programs, and Projects in the Bow River Basin Prepared for: The Bow Basin Plan A Water Management Strategy for the Future of the Bow River Basin March 2002 Caveat and Limitations This document summarizes a wide variety of complex policies, legal arrangements, practices, and procedures. Although care was taken to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the material contained in this document should only be used for general guidance. Prior to engaging in an activity that could affect the use or management of water, a person should consult the original documents (e.g., policy, law), the relevant government agency or other organization, and appropriate experts (e.g., lawyers, engineers). Questions or Comments about the Guidebook Please contact: E-mail: [email protected] Bow River Basin Council 300, Atrium VII, 340 Midpark Way SE Tel: (403) 254-3419 Calgary, AB Fax: (403) 254-3333 T2X 1P1 Internet: www.brbc.ab.ca For copies of this report, contact: Information Centre Alberta Environment Main floor, Great West Life Bldg. 9920-108 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2M4 Pub. No: I/909 ISBN: 0-7785-2147-8 Web Site: http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/ Guidebook to Water Management Table of Contents Table of Contents Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................... 1 Figures, Maps & Tables................................................................................................................ 7 A. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 9 A.1 A Key Ingredient in Working Together .......................................................................... 9 A.2 A Partnership................................................................................................................... 9 A.3 Limitations .................................................................................................................... 10 A.4 Meeting the Needs of the Basin .................................................................................... 10 A.5 Who Can Benefit from the Guidebook ......................................................................... 12 A.6 How to Use the Guidebook ........................................................................................... 12 A.7 Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................... 13 B. Organizations Involved in Water Use and Management ............................................29 B.1 Organizations and Key Activities ................................................................................. 29 B.2 Commercial Water Users .............................................................................................. 31 B.2.1 Bow River Irrigation District (BRID) ................................................................... 31 B.2.2 Eastern Irrigation District (EID) ........................................................................... 31 B.2.3 TransAlta Utilities Corporation (TAU)................................................................. 32 B.2.4 Western Irrigation District (WID)......................................................................... 32 B.3 Federal Government...................................................................................................... 33 B.3.1 Department of Canadian Heritage, Parks Canada................................................. 33 B.3.2 Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canadian Coast Guard.................... 35 B.4 Municipalities................................................................................................................ 36 B.4.1 City of Calgary...................................................................................................... 36 B.5 Non-Government Organizations ................................................................................... 37 B.5.1 Alberta Conservation Association (ACA)............................................................. 37 B.5.2 Alberta Ecotrust Foundation ................................................................................. 38 B.5.3 Alberta Fish and Game Association (AFGA) ....................................................... 39 B.5.4 Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA)............................................................... 39 B.5.5 Bow River Basin Council...................................................................................... 40 B.5.6 Bow Valley Naturalists ......................................................................................... 41 B.5.7 Bow Waters Canoe Club....................................................................................... 42 B.5.8 Calgary Area Outdoor Council (CAOC)............................................................... 42 B.5.9 Calgary River Valleys Committee (RVC) ............................................................ 43 B.5.10 Ducks Unlimited Canada ...................................................................................... 43 B.5.11 Fisheries and Recreation Enhancement Working Group (FREWG) .................... 44 B.5.12 Partners FOR the Saskatchewan River Basin ....................................................... 44 B.5.13 Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC) ............................................................................ 45 B.6 Provincial Government................................................................................................. 45 B.6.1 Environmental Protection Advisory Committee (EPAC) ..................................... 49 B.6.2 Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.............................................. 49 B.6.3 Alberta Community Development ........................................................................ 52 Page 1 Table of Contents Guidebook to Water Management B.6.4 Alberta Environment............................................................................................. 53 B.6.5 Alberta Sustainable Resource Development......................................................... 56 B.6.6 Calgary Health Region.......................................................................................... 58 C. Jurisdictional Responsibilities........................................................................................61 C.1 Fisheries ........................................................................................................................ 62 C.2 Navigation ..................................................................................................................... 62 C.3 Interprovincial Waters................................................................................................... 62 C.3.1 Residual Power...................................................................................................... 62 C.3.2 Common Law Limitations .................................................................................... 63 D. Policies, Principles, and Objectives ............................................................................... 65 D.1 Federal Government...................................................................................................... 65 D.1.1 Federal Water Policy............................................................................................. 65 D.1.2 Fish Habitat Management Policy.......................................................................... 70 D.1.3 Wildlife Policy for Canada.................................................................................... 74 D.2 Provincial Government................................................................................................. 75 MAJOR PROVINCIAL POLICIES ..................................................................................... 75 D.2.1 Alberta’s Commitment to Sustainable Resource and Environmental Management.......................................................................................................... 75 D.2.2 Water Management – Vision and Principles......................................................... 77 D.2.3 The Framework for Water Management Planning................................................ 79 REGIONAL POLICIES........................................................................................................ 81 D.2.4 Eastern Slopes Policy............................................................................................ 81 D.2.5 Water Management Policy for the South Saskatchewan River Basin .................. 84 OTHER PROVINCIAL POLICIES...................................................................................... 87 D.2.6 Ground Water Allocation Policy for Oilfield Injection Purposes......................... 87 D.2.7 Wetland Management Interim Policy ................................................................... 88 D.2.8 A Fish Conservation Strategy for Alberta, 2000-2005 ......................................... 92 D.3 Municipalities................................................................................................................ 94 D.3.1 City of Calgary Water Management Policies........................................................ 94 D.3.2 Land Use Policies, Municipal Government Act.................................................... 97 E. Laws and Regulations...................................................................................................101