1. Understanding Alberta's Emerging "Water Market"

Prior to the enactment of the current Water Act, it was virtually impossible to transfer provincially licenced water rights in Alberta. However, as the shortcomings of current water management regimes have become more apparent, water rights transfers are being promoted as one of the solutions. The debate over water rights trading is an important one for the Alberta public, but it begins with understanding the current system.

The following article includes adapted sections from a report authored by Water Matters' Executive Director, Danielle Droitsch, and Ecojustice Canada's Randy Christensen. The 2008 report, Fight to the Last Drop: A Glimpse into Alberta's Water Future provides an overview of a number of water allocation challenges in Alberta with case studies on the controversial Balzac water rights transfer. Selected portions from the report include excerpts related to Alberta's emerging water rights transfer system.

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2. Water Trusts: Keeping Water in Rivers

There is new and exciting discussion in Alberta about whether the fundamental concepts of a ‘land trust' can be extended to protect water resources — a ‘water trust.' A water trust ‘purchases' the right to keep water in the river so as to meet aquatic ecosystem needs. Because much of southern Alberta's surface water has been allocated to water licences, a water trust could be a useful (if not an essential) complement to Alberta's tradable water rights system as a way to ensure water flows for environmental and public water needs (e.g. drinking water) remain in the system.

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3. Protecting Private Land to Protect Water

A key component to protecting water quality and quantity — both for human needs and aquatic ecosystem needs — is protection of land. What we do on the land affects water by impacts such as erosion, soil and water pollution, and water-intensive developments. Mechanisms to protect the land are crucial to protect water resources for drinking supply and to maintain healthy aquatic ecosystems. The emerging Land-use Framework presents a significant opportunity to shape how appropriate land use can protect Alberta's water wealth for our current and future generations.

One way to ‘protect land to protect water' is to create parks and protected areas around significant headwater areas, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and even groundwater recharge areas. This approach is often the most possible on public lands because government has the authority to set aside land for protection. But how do we protect land to protect water on private land? One approach is regulation; another is use of incentives. Regulation to control what happens on private land often happens at the municipal level, using such mechanisms as environmental reserve setbacks and zoning land for specific uses. Incentives can include the conservation easement system.

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4. Registration is open! Attend a workshop on protecting Alberta's headwaters, the Eastern Slopes

Our Place in the Headwaters — Managing the Commons will be of interest to decision-makers and planners in municipal and provincial governments, Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils (WPACS), Watershed Stewardship Groups, industry, and non-profit organizations.

November 5 (evening) — 6 (all day), 2008
Cochrane, AB
Register at: www.ourplaceintheheadwaters.ca

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5. One-day Conference Focused on Improving Watershed Stewardship through Improved Collaboration

Working Together to Protect Our Watersheds is a one-day conference focused on improving watershed stewardship through improved collaboration. Enhance your efforts for watershed stewardship and protection in Alberta through improved collaboration.

November 7, 2008 — 9:30am - 4:30pm
Fort Edmonton Park — Edmonton, Alberta
Early Bird (until Oct 29): $15

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6. Who is Water Matters?

Many people ask us about the staff of Water Matters. So, who are the faces behind Water Matters? Water Matters' diverse team of five staff members works actively on water and land policy issues, informing the public, engaging other organizations and decision makers, and keeping us organized to allow us to do what we do. Read about Danielle, Carla, Meghan, Monica, Dave...

7. Corrected link!! CBC's The Current interviews our Executive Director on water rights trading

We are re-posting this story from last month - with corrected links to the online radio shows. Hear CBC's The Current's take of the Bow River and water rights trading with Danielle Droitsch, Water Matters' Executive Director.

Click here for links to podcasts and show information