Andy Ridge describes what Albertans said at "Water Conversations", the public consultations on water policy for Alberta, conducted in the spring of 2013. As the Calgary Flood happened the day of his presentation, Andy Ridge talked about Alberta's emerging challenges in water policy. He discusses integrated resource management as a cornerstone and the development of management frameworks to address cumulative effects through regional thresholds. Agriculture, Alberta's development of unconventional energy (oilsands and shale gas and oil) and growth of its communities are increasing pressure on water.
Water Conversations was about talking to Albertans about how Alberta moves forward. Water Conversations covered four topics:
- healthy lakes
- hydraulic fracturing
- drinking water and wastewater treatment
- water management.
Water Conservations involved 44 sessions in 20 locations attended by 1300 Albertans. Using a world café format, this is what they heard from Albertans: education and access to information, increased enforcement, more action, less talk, more accountability. Water conservation in resource development was a strong message from Albertans. Andy Ridge concludes with a summary what will come back from the consultations and how that links to work in progress (the wetland policy) and items that require more work (water allocations (water licencing)). Since he was speaking to a Watershed Planning Advisory Council (WPAC), he emphasized short-term directions that may involve WPACs (items in bold).
Andy Ridge is Director of Water Policy, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. His presentation was the keynote address at the Red Deer River Watershed Alliance's AGM, June 20, 2013.
