Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. Agency Report to the Mackenzie River Basin Board. Meeting No. 49. November 24-25, 2014

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1 Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Agency Report to the Mackenzie River Basin Board Meeting No. 49 November 24-25, 2014 Edmonton, Alberta

2 Table of Contents Alberta Wetland Policy... 2 Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program... 4 Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program... 6 Surface Water Quantity Management Framework for the Lower Athabasca River Fish Sustainability Index (FSI) Results... 8 Mighty Peace Watershed Alliance Alberta Agency Report to the MRBB, November 24-25, 2014 Page 1 of 11

3 Alberta Wetland Policy Background To date, wetland management in Alberta has been governed by Wetland Management in the Settled Areas of Alberta: An Interim Policy (1993). This policy is limited to the White Area (settled areas) of the Province and does not apply to wetland management within the Green Area (Crown Lands). Green Area wetlands have been managed through other mechanisms, including the Public Lands Act, the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, and other regulatory approval processes. Pressures from increasing economic development and population growth have emphasized the need for a new policy that will ensure consistent wetland management across the province. In recognition of this, and as part of its ongoing commitment to environmental management and responsible stewardship, the Government of Alberta released the Alberta Wetland Policy in This Policy provides the strategic direction and tools to enable informed wetland management decisions in the long-term interest of Albertans. The goal of the Alberta Wetland Policy is to conserve, restore, protect, and manage Alberta s wetlands to sustain the benefits they provide to the environment, society, and the economy. To achieve this goal, the Policy focuses on the following outcomes: Wetlands of the highest value are protected for the long-term benefit of all Albertans. Wetlands and their benefits are conserved and restored in areas where losses have been high. Wetlands are managed by avoiding, minimizing, and if necessary, replacing lost wetland value. Wetland management considers regional context. Alberta s wetlands are highly diverse in form, function, use, and distribution across the Province. Under the Alberta Wetland Policy, wetland value will be assessed on the basis of supported biodiversity, ability to improve water quality, importance to flood reduction, various direct human uses, and relative abundance on the landscape. Individual wetlands will be evaluated against these key criteria and assigned an overall wetland value. This information will be used to inform regulation where development activities have the potential to negatively impact wetlands. The emphasis of the Alberta Wetland Policy is on avoiding and minimizing potential impacts on wetlands. Where permanent loss of wetland value occurs after all possible avoidance and minimization measures have been exercised, wetland replacement will be required. Higher value wetlands will require a greater proportion of replacement than those of lower value. Wetland replacement will prioritize restorative replacement measures but may also include nonrestorative measures. Potential restorative measures include wetland restoration, enhancement, and creation, while non-restorative measures include wetland research, securement of wetlands, and education programs. The use of non-restorative measures will be based on strictly defined criteria and parameters. Status The Alberta Wetland Policy was publicly released on September 10, Since that time, ESRD has been working to develop and refine the detailed systems and tools that will enable policy implementation. Policy implementation was initiated for the province s White (settled) Alberta Agency Report to the MRBB, November 24-25, 2014 Page 2 of 11

4 Area on September 1, Between September 2014 and May 2015, ESRD will publicly and sequentially introduce a series of directives, guides, and tools that will enable implementation in the White Area. This approach will permit Albertans to begin preliminary application of the tools and systems enabled under the new policy, and to assess how the new policy will affect their respective activities. A list of directives, guides, and tools, in conjunction with expected public release dates will be posted and regularly updated on the ESRD website. Education and outreach programs, and training opportunities for various stakeholder groups across the province, will accompany the implementation process. This will help ensure that Albertans understand the various aspects of the new policy, as well as any potential implications for their respective sectors and activities. As of June 1, 2015, White Area proponents will be expected to submit wetland-related Water Act applications in accordance with new requirements established under the Alberta Wetland Policy. This coincides with the beginning of the field season for conducting wetland field assessments. A similar implementation approach will begin for the Province s Green Area (Crown Lands) in September Further information Additional detail on the new Alberta Wetland Policy, including an electronic copy of the policy document, may be obtained at: Contact Thorsten Hebben, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development thorsten.hebben@gov.ab.ca Tel Alberta Agency Report to the MRBB, November 24-25, 2014 Page 3 of 11

5 Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program Background Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development s (ESRD) Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program (WRRP) aims to improve natural watershed functions in order to build greater long-term resiliency to droughts and floods through restoration, conservation, education and stewardship, and research and data. The primary objective of the program is to increase the natural ability of Alberta s watersheds to reduce the intensity, magnitude, duration and effects of flooding and drought through watershed mitigation measures. Additionally, the program aims to address impacts of past flooding and/or droughts through the restoration of degraded priority areas of watersheds which will enhance communities ability to withstand future flooding or droughts. Finally, the program seeks to promote the ongoing stewardship and preservation of key components of Alberta s watersheds. Accepting the desire to increase the natural ability of the province s watersheds to reduce the intensity, magnitude, duration and effects of flooding and drought to the benefit of Albertans, the WRRP will focus on the following outcomes: identify and rank priority areas for wetland and riparian restoration and conservation, advance flood and drought resiliency in priority areas within watersheds in Alberta to enhance communities and improve environments, restore and enhance ecological connectivity and function in critical areas, increase knowledge, awareness, and participation by program participants and the public in activities that restore and sustain watershed functions, and enhance community capacity to restore and maintain critical watershed features for future generations. The WRRP is limited to watershed mitigation efforts that promote the long-term ability of watersheds to mitigate the effects of future floods and droughts. Examples of eligible projects include: wetland enhancements (e.g. wetland creation, conservation or restoration, etc.), floodplain/river improvements (e.g., channel naturalization, removal of old structures, removal of flow impediments, re-vegetation, floodplain storage capacity enhancements, etc.), irrigation and drainage district enhancements, data collection efforts for research, evaluation and assessment related to a specific project(s) for watershed resiliency, and education and outreach associated with a specific project(s) for watershed resiliency. Status Twenty-one million dollars in funding is available under the WRRP to be distributed over three years. Funding will be focused on areas of highest priority for flood or drought mitigation. Consideration will be given to the relative equitable distribution of funds across the province s watersheds. The primary selection criteria are the degree to which the project mitigates the impacts from flood or droughts, and impact on community safety and health (i.e., headwaters and floodplains where individuals could be affected). Secondary criteria such as biodiversity impacts and Alberta Agency Report to the MRBB, November 24-25, 2014 Page 4 of 11

6 additional environmental benefits, and complimentary criteria including data gathering, capacity building, and outreach, education and stewardship, will also be considered. Further Information Contact Rob Simieritsch, Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Alberta Agency Report to the MRBB, November 24-25, 2014 Page 5 of 11

7 Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program Background Alberta is in its second season of aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention for Dreissenid mussels. Zebra and Quagga mussels pose a very real and very expensive potential threat to Alberta. An economic impact assessment estimates that the cost could be $75 million annually to the province, should an introduction occur. At present, Alberta is considered mussel free. Status ESRD s prevention program consists of six areas of focus: Inspections: Voluntary inspection stations opened on June 9, 2014 and remained open until the end of September, targeting the four major highways entering Alberta. Due to mussels having been detected in Lake Winnipeg, Alberta chose to focus the majority of inspections on the border with Saskatchewan. Commercial Vehicle Weigh Stations were used as inspection sites, and two roving crews were located at provincial park boat launches. As of August 30, 2014, two mussel-fouled boats were intercepted at the Saskatchewan border. Canines: The Alberta Government and Alberta Irrigation Projects Association in cooperation with Montana Department of Natural Resources co-led a canine mussel detection pilot this summer. Through the organization, Working Dogs for Conservation, four dogs were trained in zebra and quagga scent detection with the California Fish and Wildlife canine unit. The pilot was held for 10 days on each side of the Canada USA border to test the dog s efficacy and speed in doing inspections. Due to the success of this pilot, Alberta is exploring the possibility of including canines in the inspection program for Monitoring: 73 waterbodies are being monitored for Dreissenid mussels. At present all sites monitored in 2013 and 2014 have tested negative for mussels. Response: Water managers (from both government and industry) are in the process of drafting a response plan for Alberta should a waterbody test positive for mussels. The plan will focus on verification and treatment/containment options. Waterbodies will be priority ranked by calcium levels, number of boat launches, number of boats inspected destined for the waterbody, endangered species present, waterbody type, etc. Education and Awareness: Alberta s CLEAN DRAIN DRY campaign included radio and TV spots, billboards, boat launch signs and ads and articles in boating/angling magazines. Legislation: Amendments to Fisheries (Alberta) Act will be introduced in the spring 2015 Legislature session. Highlights of amendments include: Provide for mandatory inspections of AIS vectors (boat, shipments of live fish, aquarium plants, etc.), Create a schedule of prohibited species that can be modified by the Minister of ESRD, and Enhance authority provided to provincial Fishery Officers. Further information Contact Cindy Sawchuk, Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Cindy.Sawchuk@gov.ab.ca Alberta Agency Report to the MRBB, November 24-25, 2014 Page 6 of 11

8 Surface Water Quantity Management Framework for the Lower Athabasca River Background Management of cumulative water withdrawals from the lower Athabasca River is currently enabled through the Water Management Framework: Instream Flow Needs and Water Management System for the Lower Athabasca River (2007). This framework provides shortterm guidance based on a set of weekly flow triggers and withdrawal limits; it is recognized as Phase One of a two-phased approach to manage withdrawals. Since 2007, Alberta and the federal government have continued working with stakeholders and Aboriginal communities to clarify issues and discuss interests, conduct and review detailed technical assessments, and develop and evaluate alternatives for the next phase of the Water Management Framework. Collaborating with the Cumulative Environmental Management Association, the Phase 2 Framework Committee, and First Nations has been instrumental in developing Phase 2 of the Water Management Framework, now called the Surface Water Quantity Management Framework for the Lower Athabasca River (SWQMF). The Phase 2 framework will update and replace the 2007 Water Management Framework. The SWQMF for the Lower Athabasca River will use a range of scientific and traditional knowledge of the lower Athabasca basin to evaluate and enable improvements to the limits established during Phase 1. Status Water quantity requirements were examined through a multi-stakeholder process (Phase 2 Framework Committee), which provided recommendations in Additional science and information, including projected oil sands mining water demands and various climate change scenarios, were used in the development of rule sets for oil sands water withdrawals. These rule sets formed the basis for the draft SWQMF for the Lower Athabasca River. In late 2013 through to mid-2014, First Nations, Métis, and various stakeholder organizations were consulted on the draft SWQMF for the Lower Athabasca River. Based on the feedback received through this process, the draft framework was revised considerably. The finalized draft has been circulated to previously consulted First Nations, Métis, and stakeholders for final input; it is currently within the government approval process. Once approved, the SWQMF for the Lower Athabasca River will be implemented by ESRD and the Alberta Energy Regulator, within the context of the Water Act and the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP). Further Information Contact Thorsten Hebben, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Thorsten.Hebben@gov.ab.ca Alberta Agency Report to the MRBB, November 24-25, 2014 Page 7 of 11

9 2013 Fish Sustainability Index (FSI) Results Background A top priority of fisheries managers is to determine the effect of human activities on fish populations and to quantify the effectiveness of recovery and maintenance actions. These results are important because they can be used to plot the course of natural resource management by providing direction to provincial strategies such as the Land Use Framework, Water for Life, or the Fish Conservation and Management Strategy. A basic building block for evaluating human impacts is the assessment of individual fish stocks. These assessments must be conducted in a consistent fashion to use the results to evaluate human impacts at a provincial scale. The Alberta Fish Sustainability Index (FSI) is a tool used to conduct individual fish stock assessments consistently across the province. The index provides a standardized approach for evaluating existing data and assists in identifying the types of field data that should subsequently be collected to allow for more robust assessments. To provide the ability to report integrated FSI status for multiple focal fish species: Lotic (river ecosystem) results are scaled to an appropriate watershed level (e.g., hierarchical unit code (HUC) watersheds). Lentic (lake ecosystem) results are reported for an individual lake or for a grouping of lakes that contain one breeding population. Populations are evaluated in four groups of metrics: 1. population integrity 2. population productivity 3. threats and the ability to mitigate them, and 4. reliability (quantity, quality, and timeliness) of the data used for each metric. Status FSI assessments of fish species in Alberta will be conducted in accordance with provincial objectives and priorities. The following are priority FSI species: 1) Bull Trout 8) Lake Trout 2) Lentic and Lotic Walleye 9) Lentic and Lotic Northern Pike 3) West Slope Cutthroat Trout 10) Yellow Perch 4) Lake Sturgeon 11) Mountain Whitefish 5) Athabasca Rainbow Trout 12) Sauger 6) Artic Grayling 13) Burbot 7) Goldeye and Mooneye To date, FSI assessments have been finalized for Arctic Grayling, Bull Trout, Goldeye, Mooneye, Lake Trout, and Lake Sturgeon. Lentic Walleye and Northern Pike are currently under review. In the 2014/2015 fiscal year, biologists will be performing FSI assessments on West Slope Cutthroat Trout, Athabasca Rainbow Trout and Mountain Whitefish. Alberta Agency Report to the MRBB, November 24-25, 2014 Page 8 of 11

10 Further information The Alberta FSI webpage provides general information and species specific results Contact Laura MacPherson, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Alberta Agency Report to the MRBB, November 24-25, 2014 Page 9 of 11

11 Mighty Peace Watershed Alliance Background The Mighty Peace Watershed Alliance (MPWA) was designated an official Watershed Planning and Advisory Council (WPAC) in April 2011, under Alberta s Water for Life Strategy. The MPWA s working boundaries originate at the British Columbia border, encompassing the Wapiti R. / Smoky R. and upper Peace R. sub-basins, and terminate at the Northwest Territories border in the Slave River basin. The MPWA is mandated to provide advice to government, municipalities, industry and local communities on watershed health and ecological integrity of the Peace River Watershed. Its specific tasks are to report on the state of the watershed, lead watershed planning activities, promote best management practices and develop education programs, all while working within the context of the existing land and resource management planning processes. Status Projects for 2014: 1. Public\Aboriginal Validation of the State of the Watershed Report The MPWA has recently completed a draft State of the Watershed (SOW) report. The MPWA is currently seeking feedback and input from the local communities, stakeholders, Aboriginal communities and the public about the key finding of the SOW report. 2. Draft Terms of Reference for Integrated Watershed Management Plan The MPWA is developing a draft terms of reference for an Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP). This plan will address effective and sustainable management and use of the water resources. It will also address the maintenance of other benefits provided by the ecological functioning of the watershed. Ensuring that cumulative effects are understood and communicated among all users of the watershed is necessary to improve decision-making about human activity in the watershed. This plan will identify the areas with the greatest need for coordinated management, create a roadmap of how to fill critical data gaps and lay the foundation for ongoing watershed management in the Peace and Slave Watersheds. This plan is the beginning of a systematic and prioritized adaptive management process at the watershed scale. The purpose of this process is to coordinate the efforts of governments, residents, stakeholders, and communities in the Peace and Slave watersheds regarding watershed management. 3. Support for Wapiti River Water Management Initiative A planning initiative led by ESRD, the MPWA is leading the public consultation component of this project. The MPWA is also responsible for public outreach and communication component of this initiative. 4. Watershed Restoration Projects (Beaverlodge & Redwillow Sub-watersheds) These projects are funded through Environmental Damage Funds and are intended to promote best management practices for the agriculture and farming community including nutrient management, livestock restriction, alternative watering system and stream-crossing, and wetland and habitat restoration. The projects are also intended to build the capacity and raise awareness for local stewardship groups in the watershed. Alberta Agency Report to the MRBB, November 24-25, 2014 Page 10 of 11

12 Further Information Contact Bob Cameron, Chairperson, Might Peace Watershed Alliance Abdi Siad-Omar, Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Alberta Agency Report to the MRBB, November 24-25, 2014 Page 11 of 11

Integrated Watershed Management Plan

Integrated Watershed Management Plan mighty peace watershed alliance Integrated Plan SUMMARY What is the Plan? The Mighty Peace Alliance (MPWA) supports the three goals of Alberta s Water for Life Strategy: safe secure drinking water, healthy