By WATER MATTERS — NOV 7, 2011
In our 2010 annual report, we provide highlights of Water Matters' work in 2010 and revisit the fundamental motivations behind what we do.
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By WATER MATTERS — MAR 3, 2009
Only seven percent of all the bitumen in oil sands can be reached through mining operations. The remainder is extracted in situ by injecting steam into drilled wells. This backgrounder provides an overview of the processes of extracting bitumen, the use of water in those processes, and the policies surrounding water use by thermal in situ oil sands operations. More...
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By ALAN GARDNER, SALTS — OCT 9, 2007
A compelling new report shows that maintaining the status quo in land-use planning in the Southern East Slopes of the Rocky Mountains will lead to slow but certain environmental degradation of the region — and we are not well-equipped to cope. More...
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By WATER MATTERS AND ECOJUSTICE — OCT 31, 2008
A letter to Dave McGee, Senior Policy & Implementation Manager with Alberta Environment with comments on a draft policy that addresses water licence transfers in which the purpose of water use would change as a result of the transfer. More...
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By DANIELLE DROITSCH, STEVEN A. KENNETT, DAN WOYNILLOWICZ — APR 16, 2008
This report discusses the challenges and offer solutions to integrated regional planning for Alberta. Government of Alberta lacks the regulatory ability to manage the cumulative environmental impacts of the industrial development and other human activities now occurring across Alberta's landscapes. A new approach to environmental decision-making is needed to avoid continued decline in key indicators of environmental quality and depletion of Alberta's natural capital. More...
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By JULIA KO AND WILLIAM F. DONAHUE (WATER MATTERS) — JUL 21, 2011
Drilling Down: Groundwater Risks Imposed by In Situ Oil Sands Development provides clear, achievable recommendations for improving groundwater management, assessment and monitoring in the oil sands region.
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By WILLIAM F. DONAHUE, PH.D., LL.B., SPECIAL ADVISOR ON WATER POLICY — MAR 8, 2011
In this report, we outline how federal monitoring and RAMP, upon which industry, Alberta, and Canada have largely relied, have failed to meet the standards of acceptable scientific practice in environmental monitoring, and provide recommendations for the creation of a scientifically defensible environmental monitoring program.
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By WATER MATTERS — OCT 7, 2008
This fact sheet discusses the importance of wetlands, the history of wetlands policy in Alberta and possible plans for new wetlands policy. More...
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By WATER MATTERS — OCT 30, 2008
No longer is water management simply about water allocation but about balancing ecological, social, and economic needs within watersheds. Complexity, multiple dimensions, and multiple players in watershed planning necessitate a shift from government to governance. More...
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By WATER MATTERS — OCT 15, 2008
Source water protection takes a preventative and comprehensive approach to water treatment for drinking water. It goes beyond the traditional water treatment option that treats water at the treatment plant. In very simple terms, protecting the ‘source’ of drinking water is the next major advancement to assuring safe drinking water. More...
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By WATER MATTERS — OCT 3, 2008
Westslope cutthroat trout (WCT) are an important part of Alberta's aquatic ecosystems and natural heritage. Alberta's WCT populations have declined dramatically since the early 1900s due primarily to human activities within watersheds. More...
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By BOW RIVERKEEPER AND ECOJUSTICE — APR 22, 2008
This report reviews Alberta's framework for dealing with water scarcity and examines some recent, highly controversial water supply schemes that may offer a glimpse into Alberta's future. Two case studies of water scarcity from 2007 in southern Alberta illustrate the troubling public policy issues to be addressed.
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By WATER MATTERS — JUL 15, 2008
This survey of watershed leaders in Alberta was conducted by Water Matters. It highlights the key concerns and perceived gaps in watershed protection. Respondents identified where Water Matters should put its energy and best contribute to watershed protection in Alberta. More...
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By WATER MATTERS — MAR 12, 2010
This report comprehensively
details the special role of watershed features, such as forests,
riparian areas, and wetlands, in an effort to further that
understanding. With a better awareness of the value of watersheds,
decision makers will understand how land use impacts water quality and
quantity.
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By BOW RIVER BASIN COUNCIL — MAY 1, 2005
This comprehensive report provides up-to-date information on the current state of the Bow (water quality, quantity), and the health of its ecosystem. The report examines the many water uses — hydroelectric generation, irrigation, municipal, etc. — and describes the impacts these uses are having on the river. More...
By WATER MATTERS — NOV 24, 2008
This report examines basin-to-basin and sub-basin-to-sub-basin water diversions in Alberta. It takes a brief look at current law, policy, and practice in Alberta and then turns to a discussion of the key considerations that need to be considered to mitigate the potentially harmful effects — namely, environmental considerations, considerations of scale, socio-economic considerations, and cumulative effects considerations. More...
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By COALITION OF CITIZEN-BASED ORGANIZATIONS — JAN 15, 2008
A coalition of citizen-based organizations came together and submitted a report to the Alberta Water Council outlining its analysis and review of the strategy. Issues addressed in this report include: funding, protection of drinking water sources, progress made on protecting healthy aquatic ecosystems, watershed planning, shared governance, and water conservation. More...
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By ROSENBERG INTERNATIONAL FORUM — FEB 15, 2007
This report comes from a Regional Rosenberg Workshop held at the request of the Minster of Environment. This report provides recommendations as to how Water for Life could be strengthened (strategically and in implementation). The report also examines how ground water management could be strengthened in Alberta.
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By WATER MATTERS AND ECOJUSTICE — OCT 7, 2009
For the first time in 12 years, the Alberta government is considering whether to update their water allocation system. Alberta's current system to allocate water among all users is no longer able to fully respond to population growth, opportunities for industrial growth, reduced water flows, and the coming challenges of climate change. This report outlines a proposed blueprint for addressing these water challenges, and aims to inspire Albertans to participate in the discussion about Alberta's water future.
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By WATER MATTERS — NOV 30, 2009
Source of Opportunity makes the case that
a vibrant social and economic landscape in southern Alberta is derived in large
part from the landscape's ability to maintain abundant, clean supplies of water
at their origin — the Southern East Slopes. The report
offers a new direction, a blueprint for source water protection.
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