Integrated Watershed Management Plan
As a designated Watershed Planning and Advisory Council in Alberta, the Milk River Watershed Council Canada is responsible for developing the Milk River Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP) in partnership with all levels of government, non-government organizations, industry, landowners and residents.
An integrated watershed management plan (IWMP) is a document that provides recommendations on natural resource management. The IWMP is developed co-operatively, so that the recommendations consider the needs of everyone.
Ultimately, the Integrated Watershed Management Plan will provide guidance in the management of water, land/water interactions, aquatic life and aquatic resources within the watershed to maintain healthy ecosystems as land use changes. It recommends how water (and land) should be managed for the benefit of humans while maintaining a functioning envrironment.
The MRWCC recently completed the Milk River State of the Watershed Report (2008) which will be used to guide the development of the IWMP. The following prioirty concerns, identified by members of the Milk River Watershed Council Canada, will be addressed:
- Limited, secure water supply,
- Augmentation of natural flow by the St. Mary River diversion (particularly timing and volume),
- Ablilty to maintain surface and groundwater quality,
- Ability to maintain wildlife and biodiversity,
- Potential loss/degradation of wetlands and riparian areas,
- Impact of land use (e.g. recreation, oil and gas, and agriculture) on watershed resources, and
- Limited economic development opportunities due, in part, to the limited, secure supply of water resources.
These priority concerns will be considered within the framework of an informed community and the preservation and enhancement of the international relationships.
The IWMP process rquires public input and collaboration. A draft Terms of Reference is now available for stakeholder and community input. Your feedback is important to us. Please take time to read the draft Terms of Reference and provide your comments by March 25, 2010. A Public Open House is scheduled for March 4, 2021 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Heritage Hall in Milk River to present the draft Terms of Reference and receive stakeholder and community input.
Comment sheets can be faxed to: 403-647-3808
Or mailed to:
Sandi Riemersma, Milk River Watershed Council Canada
Box 313, Milk River, AB T0K 1M0
Draft Milk River Integrated Watershed Management Plan Terms of Reference (2.4 MB)
Milk River Integrated Watershed Management Plan Terms of Reference Fact Sheet