1. Learning from Balzac: report highlights need for new policy on intrabasin water diversions
Two years after a water controversy erupted
over a proposal to pipe water from the Red Deer to the Bow River sub-basin for
a mega-entertainment complex in Balzac, a community north of Calgary, the province
has yet to develop specific policy for dealing with similar types of water
diversions.
New realities around water availability in southern Alberta suggest we need to consider the negative impacts of water diversions between sub-basins such as the one that was proposed for Balzac. As population and economic growth and dwindling water due to climate change drive up water scarcity in southern Alberta, the potential is on the rise for more proposals like the one proposed for the Balzac entertainment complex. A new approach is needed to keep pace with southern Alberta's growing water challenges.
A new report by Water Matters, Piping Water Between Watersheds, recommends the Alberta government modify current policy to specifically deal with diversions between watersheds within Alberta's river basins.
On December 3, 2008 the Government of Alberta released the long-awaited
final Land-use Framework (LUF) for Alberta. The LUF lays the policy groundwork for legislation and regional planning
across Alberta. The final framework acknowledges
that rapid growth and development in many parts of Alberta cannot continue at
the same pace in the future. To
adequately protect water resources, spatial and
density thresholds for development within critical watershed protection areas
(e.g., source water supply zones) will be needed. Consequently, there are now opportunities to
promote source water protection strategies for key areas in Alberta including
the southeastern slopes.
Citizens in southern Alberta continue to raise questions about the impacts
of oil and gas development on Alberta's southeastern slopes. The Energy Resources Conservation Board
(ERCB) is currently in the midst of deciding on whether to allow two
Petro-Canada pipelines to be built through a relatively pristine area of the southeastern
slopes of the Rocky Mountains. This pipeline would not only traverse
undeveloped land but it would also create a complementary network of access
roads.
Twenty years ago, passion to conserve nature, protect wild creatures,
and inspire young minds helped solve a community's flooding problems. Coaldale
resident Colin Weir's commitment and ideas inspired local politicians and the
community of Coaldale in southern Alberta to address the chronic problem of
stormwater flooding in a unique way that restored a drained wetland. Today, the Town of Coaldale now has a
multi-functional wetland area that keeps its streets free of stormwater
flooding. Every summer, daily sights can include pelicans soaring overhead,
mallard ducklings wiggling through the cattails after their mothers,
yellow-headed blackbirds busily constructing nests, and black-crowned night
herons prowling the shoreline in search of small fish.
On November 13, 2008 Government of Alberta announced it would ban sales
of what is known as "weed and feed" from stores—but not until January 1,
2010. This ban will be a good step to improving water quality in Alberta's
waterways. The ban does not apply to spot-application pesticides.