By Alice McFarlane

New Water Advisory Committee will help prepare Alberta’s for drought

Feb 14, 2024 | 4:55 PM

After several dry years, Alberta’s winter snowpack is well below average, many rivers are at record low levels and multiple reservoirs remain well below capacity.

Alberta is taking action to prepare for a potential drought and to find ways to help maximize the province’s water supplies with the creation of a Water Advisory Committee.

Environment and Protected Areas Minister Rebecca Schulz said El Niño is producing a warm and dry winter across Western Canada and more than 70 per cent of the country is experiencing drought conditions. Alberta is at risk of a severe drought in parts of the province this year.

Schulz said when it comes to water, we are all in it together.

“This committee will provide me with ideas and perspectives from leaders across the province,” she said. “They’ll share what they are hearing and seeing and help identify new or better ways to support families, farms, ranches and businesses if we face a severe drought this year.”

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The six-person advisory committee consists of leaders with experience in agriculture, irrigation, Indigenous, industry, rural and urban issues.

The committee includes Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright, Rural Municipalities of Alberta president Paul McLauchlin, former Trans Mountain CEO Ian Anderson, Alberta Irrigation Districts Association chair Alex Ostrop, Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal CEO Jack Royal, and Okotoks mayor Tanya Thorn.

In the coming months, the committee will meet regularly to discuss and debate ideas on how best to prepare for and respond to drought, give feedback on work already underway and suggest new ways to help manage water as fairly and efficiently as possible. The members will also help identify long-term solutions to benefit future generations.

Along with the advisory committee, Alberta’s government will continue working with municipalities, water users, farmers, industry, First Nations and others to help prepare for the risk of severe drought this year.

The Water Advisory Committee will operate for one year. Committee members will not be paid other than reimbursement for travel expenses.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

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