For the first time since 2001, the Alberta Government has authorized the Drought Command Team, which will begin negotiating water agreements with water-license holders. The negotiations have been overseen by the Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, the Honourable Rebecca Schultz, to secure significant and prompt reduction in water use.
As many Albertans know, due to El Niño Alberta is currently experiencing one of its warmest and driest winters on record, resulting in the province being at a significant risk of experiencing drought. The government is swiftly responding and will begin meeting with major water users, with the goal of developing voluntary agreements to share water if there is a severe drought. This will include meetings with municipalities, irrigation districts, industry, and other major users to develop voluntary water-sharing agreements. At least one water-sharing agreement will be developed for each of the Red Deer River, Bow River, and Oldman River Basin.
The government is currently monitoring the snowbanks, rainfall, river levels, and water uses levels throughout the province, to help understand how much water will be available this year. Alberta has five stages in its water management plan, ranging from Stage One, which is a minor drought, up to Stage Five, which is a province-wide emergency. We are at a Stage Four right now.
In addition, the Alberta government is committed to improving both Alberta’s drought resiliency and water management for Albertans now and for future generations. That is why through Budget 2024, the government will be investing over $251 million in multi-year funding for new flood and drought mitigation projects concerning Alberta’s berms, dams, reservoirs, and flood walls. The funding will also help launch new projects that will protect homes, businesses, and lives.
I wish all the constituents in Calgary-Fish Creek a wonderful May!
If you have any questions or input, please feel free to reach out to my office at [email protected].
MLA – Calgary Fishcreek Myles McDougall
proudly serves the following Communities: Bonavista Downs, Deer Ridge, Deer Run, Diamond Cove, Lake Bonavista, Midnapore , Parkland, Queensland , Sundance
