Until September 20, you can have your say about whether scarce water should be transferred to an entertainment complex under construction near Balzac, Alberta. The mega-entertainment complex under construction a few miles north of Calgary, near Balzac, is one step closer to procuring water. The Western Irrigation District (WID), with the approval of 57% of its membership who voted, agreed to transfer 2000 acre-feet a year, or about 6700 m³ per day, to the MD of Rocky View. To gain the water, the MD would apply water conservation measures to 50 km of the WID's irrigation canals (D'Aliesio 2007). This deal, however, hinges on further public input and Alberta Environment's approval of this water allocation licence transfer—the first in the Calgary area watershed.

The MD of Rocky View held a public hearing on September 6, 2007 in Langdon to address concerns raised by those who attended. The public has until September 20, 2007 to submit a Statement of Concern to Alberta Environment (click for more information). These statements help Alberta Environment understand the public's views as it makes licensing decisions.

Emerging Water Market

The proposed agreement between the MD of Rocky View and WID would utilize the emerging water market in Alberta that allows for the transfer of licensed water to new users. The water transferred to Balzac would be the same amount of water conserved in a water conservation project transitioning 50 km of open canals to a pipeline, which would save at least 2000 acre-feet (roughly 2,450,000 m³) per year. The $15 million obtained by the WID would be used to make these conservation improvements. Rocky View plans to recover their cost of $15 million cost through levies and fees passed onto developers (RVMD 2007).

Access to a transfer from WID's licence, which dates back to 1921, provides significant priority to the MD of Rocky View for water supply in water-short periods. This licence and WID's water system supplies water to 400 farmers, acreage owners, and industrial customers, as well as the communities of Strathmore, Standard, Rockyford, Gleichen, and Cluny (WID 2007).

WID's membership voted narrowly in favour of the transfer—with 57% of the 328 members assenting. Some voters see that part of the WID lies within the MD of Rocky View and is part of the same jurisdiction and the transfer is thus a "neighbourly thing to do" (Mervin Falkenberg quoted by D'Aliesio 2007). Others felt that the transfer is not a huge portion of their licence; indeed, the transfer is not taking water away from members of WID because the water is gained through conservation measures rather than redistribution of water. Concerns linger about the effect of this transfer on farmers during future water shortages. The vote's result highlights the tension between urban and rural demands when it comes to water.

Questions Remain

But the deal isn't done. Alberta Environment has yet to approve the transfer.

Public input is expected during Alberta Environment's process to approve the water allocation transfer from WID to MD of Rocky View. During public input a number of questions could arise. Is the mega-entertainment complex's use of water an appropriate use in a region short on water? Because 6700 m³ per day (the amount of the transfer from WID) is only part of the 15 000 m³ anticipated to be required at final build out, from where will the rest of the water come?

Should Alberta Environment approve this water allocation transfer, we strongly encourage the application of the full 10% conservation holdback. This holdback is a tool under the Water Act to return (or maintain, in the case of unused portions of water allocation licences) water flow to natural flow for ecosystems. Currently Alberta Environment may choose whether or not to apply the conservation holdback. Alberta Environment may also choose whether to apply the full 10% or a smaller percentage of the holdback.

Should environmental protection be optional?

The discretionary nature of the conservation holdback is in contrast to other jurisdictions. To promote efficient use of water in Oregon, US, water licence holders can use unused water on additional lands, lease or sell the unused water, or dedicate that water to the river's flow (instream flow). In exchange for the right to share that water with new uses, 25% of that water must be dedicated to instream flow (OWRD 2007; Stefano 2007). Australia's state of Victoria has policy that mandates 20% of the water traded to another user (i.e. water transfer) be allocated to the environment (DSE 2004). While the ability to transfer water provides significant economic benefit, the Government of Victoria feels this reform to their system "should be accompanied by some benefit to the environment" and will contribute to the Environmental Water Reserve (DSE 2004, 49).

In Alberta, the South Saskatchewan River Basin Water Management Plan, which the Alberta government approved in August 2006, authorizes the Director (of Alberta Environment) to withhold up to 10% of the volume of water being transferred (AENV 2006, vi). It goes further to recommend that "the Director withhold 10%, unless there is a compelling reason to withhold less" (AENV 2006, 12).

We recommend that this 10% conservation holdback become mandatory across the SSRB and the province, holding back at least 10% in every case to contribute to natural instream flow for ecosystems.

Sources

Alberta Environment (AENV). 2006. Approved Water Management Plan for the South Saskatchewan River Basin.

Municipal District of Rockyview #44. 2006. Application for water license. Alberta Environment.

Burchi, Stefano. 2007. Balancing Development and Environmental Conservation and Protection of the Water Resource Base-the "Greening" of Water Laws. Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations. FAO Legal Papers Online #66. June 2007.

D'Aliesio, Renata. August 3, 2007. Balzac gets its water: Western Irrigation District members OK the deal. Calgary Herald.

D'Aliesio, Renata. August 30, 2007. Water deal for mall to get public hearing. Calgary Herald .

Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE). 2004. Securing Our Water Future Together. White Paper Victoria Government Department of Sustainability and Environment: Melbourne.

Municipal District of Rocky View (RVMD). June 15, 2007. Western Irrigation District/ Rocky View agreement fosters regional development.

Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD). 2007. Allocation of conserved water.

Western Irrigation District (WID). 2007.