Frog Lake First Nation Source Water Protection Plan KENDRA QUINNEY & LEN QUINNEY FROG LAKE FIRST NATIONS 121 & 122 BOB PATRICK, University of Saskatchewan Frog Lake First Nations Frog Lake First Nation • Two Nations 121 & 122 Total ~ 19 000 ha or 55 000 acres • Plains Cree and Woodland Cree Language spoken is Cree • Home to Frog Lake National Historic Site Frog Lake First Nation • Approx. 3300 registered members • Approx. 2200 living on reserve • Predominate revenue is oil and gas Frog Lake • Frog Lake is the main water source 15 km X 5 km (10 mile X 3 miles) • Frog Lake is bordered by Fishing Lake Metis settlement, private lands, crown land and reserve land • Frog Lake historically was an important fishing location Frog Lake First Nations • Frog Lake is the source water for 90% of homes on reserve • Water is primarily delivered to houses via water trucks into household cisterns Why Source Water Protection Planning? • Frog Lake water levels have been dropping Why Source Water Why Source Water Protection Planning? Protection Planning? • Increased oil and gas activity on Nation and area Why Source Water Protection Planning? • Frog Lake First Nation is growing. New homes are being constructed, adding pressure to current infrastructure Why Source Water Protection Planning? • 2013 Frog Lake First Nation Lands and Economic Development Department decided that they needed a plan to help reduce the impact of land use activities on their source water • 2014 Nation partnered with First Nations Technical Services Advisory Group; Bob Patrick from the University of Saskatchewan; and Partners FOR the SK River Basin to create a Source Water Protection Plan • 2014 A draft copy of the plan was completed Planning Process at Frog Lake 1 STAGE 1 STAGE 5 Establish Review and Working Update SWPP Committee 5 2 STAGE 4 STAGE 2 Develop Complete Implementation Source Water Strategy Assessment 4 STAGE 3 3 Identify Risk Management Actions WWorkingorking CommitteeCommitte e Lands Department Technical Services Advisory Group Water Treatment Plant Operator Health Center Elder Youth RISK MATRIX Identified Risks to Source Water • HIGH RISK CONCERNS • Cisterns • Industry drilling; directional drilling • Hazardous goods transport • SAGD • Fishing Lake lagoon • Frog Lake north sewage lagoon • Frog lake Landfill • MEDIUM RISK CONCERNS • Pesticides/fertilizers • Private home shootouts • Cattle/livestock encroachment • Illegal dump sites • Commercial fuel tanks • Pipelines Planning Process at Frog Lake 1 STAGE 1 STAGE 5 Establish Review and Working Update SWPP Committee 5 2 STAGE 4 STAGE 2 Develop Complete Implementation Source Water Strategy Assessment 4 STAGE 3 3 Identify Risk Management Actions Management Actions Cisterns (for example) • Education program (schools, community) • Training for water truck drivers • Replacement w/better system. Eventually new collar covers • Proper grading/landscaping Benefits of SWPP • Will form part of the community infrastructure plan • Provides an inventory of risks to source water • Ability to focus resources based on priority Benefits of SWPP • Pro-active approach to potential contamination from oil and gas and agriculture • Brainstorming of who can be partnered with to work on challenges to source water E.g. Fishing Lake Metis settlement is collaborating with Frog Lake First Nation • Raises awareness within community Benefits of SWPP • Having a plan helps the Nation decide on what steps should be taken and when they should be taken • Lays out a strategy for accessing funding Limitations of SWPP • Not enough resources: • Time; Money • Human resources, Plan Champion, Implementation Coordinator • Limited control outside reserve boundaries • Do not know where all aquifers are located • Large SAGD project 5 km west of the reserve Limitations of SWPP • Lack of examples of what works • Second Nation in AB to follow this template • Lack of representation from a diverse number of Departments at Frog Lake • Small land base – Many Stakeholders • Resulting in less control over water bodies • It is a plan of recommended actions; it is not law Accom plishments • Completed copy of the Source Water Protection Plan • A 250 m buffer placed around the lake • Cleaned up large barrels dumped at landfill that are close to water sources • Survey of ground water resources available to Frog Lake First Nation • 3 test wells were drilled for new water supply Accom plishments • Involved the local school, hosted youth events to inform and engage Frog Lake First Nations’ youth in water and environmental issues • Survey of Frog Lake First Nations’ landfill to increase understanding of potential risks to source water i.e. potential seepage, grazing… • Plans for development of a waste transfer station now forms part of the community capital plan Next Steps • Working with Bonnyville Regional Water Commission on development of a water line to service Frog Lake from Cold Lake, with Assistance from INAC and Prov. of Alberta • Decommissioning of the landfill and replacing it with a waste transfer station • Continuing conversations with the Fishing Lake Metis Settlement and Local Farmers • Engage with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada on safe drinking water strategy Recommendations • Involve youth! They are the future leaders of the community • Do it! Source water protection planning is an important step in ensuring safe drinking water Take away message • Source water protection planning is important for ensuring healthy water bodies for future generations Questions? .