Ted Morton got it right. On Friday, the Alberta government announced the regional land use plan for southern Alberta but said the plan was really about water. We couldn’t agree more.

Now, it’s up to Albertans to weigh in to provide input to that plan. That’s where you come in.

Morton, Alberta’s Minister for Sustainable Resource Development, said water is a key factor in southern Alberta’s land use planning process that kicks off officially today with public meetings. “Population growth and demand for water will change in the South Saskatchewan Region over the coming decades …[t]hese factors will shape the region’s economy, landscape and biodiversity” he said.

Our new report, Source of Opportunity: A Blueprint for Security Source Water in Southern Alberta, looks into how protecting certain lands will protect our water quality and supply. Where can we start? Start with the most important land — the southern East Slopes.

Eighty percent of Alberta’s water comes from its eastern slopes. These are the lands in what scientists call the alpine, montane, and foothills regions that make up only 17 percent of Alberta. That’s right — 80 percent of the water comes from 17 percent of the land base.

Over 60 years ago in 1947, the Alberta government tried to protect this landscape by creating the Eastern Rockies Forest Conservation Board (ERFB) for watershed management. Efforts to protect this vital area resurfaced again in the 1970s creating A Policy for Resource Management of the Eastern Slopes. Again, watershed management for supply and quality was a stated priority.

But these policies weren’t successful in part because they didn’t have legal status. Another problem has been that the region is effectively management by over 10 provincial ministries all with their own agendas, and little coordination. Our southern East Slopes haven’t had much of a chance with all those chefs in the kitchen.

One study looking at future land-use in this region says land development whether by roads, house building, industry and the like will increase 82.6 percent by 2055. If we pursue this trajectory, the same study says water supply and quality will decrease.

Our mountains and foothills are more than pretty landscapes. They provide us with the water we use for every day life, agriculture, energy, and business. Literally, these landscapes are the source of our opportunities — without plentiful, clean water we would not have the quality of life we’ve come to expect.

Appreciating the water and opportunity the East Slopes is the duty of every Albertan. The opportunity to safeguard our source waters has come in the shape the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan. If you care about water please attend these open houses. Remind the planners that intact Eastern Slopes landscapes are the best approach to producing clean and plentiful water. Ted Morton got it right, now it’s your turn.