The Beaver River Watershed Alliance (BRWA) could find themselves at a standstill when it comes to the development of their Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP).
Last week, both the Town and MD of Bonnyville Councils received a request from the watershed alliance for $5,000 in funding to go towards the study.
“The Integrated Watershed Management Plan document, it's addressing what the issues are in the community. In order to understand those issues, we have to go out into the community and find out what people think and what their greatest concerns are. So, a lot of that money would be going to stakeholder engagement – addressing the issues and determining the next steps as to drafting a document on how to manage or mitigate the issues in the area,” explained Kellie Nichiporik of the BRWA.
The IWMP is a continuation of the State of the Watershed report that was completed by the group in 2012. As a member of the Watershed Planning and Advisory Council (WPAC), the BRWA is mandated to complete both documents by the Government of Alberta under the Water for Life program.
However, despite their operating funds coming from the provincial Ministry of Environment and Parks, their ask for the necessary funding to complete the IWMP was denied. This left the watershed alliance to turn to regional and municipal political groups to seek out the money needed.
In addition to the request from the MD and Town of Bonnyville Councils, an ask of $5,000 was also sent to Lac La Biche County, the City of Cold Lake, Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs, Fort McMurray – Cold Lake MP David Yurdiga, Bonnyville – Cold Lake MLA Scott Cyr, and the Lakeland Industry and Community Association. The estimated cost for the 2016-17 work on the IWMP is just over $36,000, with a good chunk of the money going towards two stakeholder workshops ($11,000) a new draft IWMP ($10,000), and a local government forum ($8,000).
When inquiring why the government wouldn't fund a project they made a requirement, Coun. Nestor Kunec told town council he believes it's to make municipalities more invested in the initiative.
“What I think they're doing, is that by asking the municipalities for funding, it makes the municipalities feel more a part of it. If they're making an integrated watershed management place, maybe the MD and the Town and the cities would have more of a vested interest in it.”
While agreeing the IWMP may be an important tool, many on council felt it wouldn't do any good in the long run to let the government feel they could pass what should be the province's responsibility to the municipalities.
“I don't mind providing input to make sure our interests are looked after, but I'm starting to draw the line. This is an Alberta Environment initiative, this is a Government of Canada initiative, and the request for funding from the municipality to make us feel like we're involved – I think that crosses the line for me,” exclaimed Bonnyville Mayor Gene Sobolewski.
MD Coun. Fred Bamber said, “I think this is a provincial responsibility and if we start assuming their responsibilities there's something wrong with the system.”
Both the town and MD voted to deny the BRWA request for funding. Nichiporik noted that if the funding doesn't come through, it will delay the IWMP until their next fiscal year, which begins April 2017, when they can ask for the funds from the Alberta Government again.
