WHEREAS Alberta is a province fortunate to have an abundance of natural resources;AND WHEREAS fresh water is relatively scarce and therefore one of our most important and valuable natural resources;AND WHEREAS protection of fresh water quality and quantity requires strategic planning of development in our watersheds;AND WHEREAS watersheds are crucial to our economic and physical well-being;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties urge the provincial government to continue to and enhance bringing together representatives from the public and private sector, including government, industry, business, agricultural sector and environmental interests to develop Comprehensive Watershed Management Plans and to ensure the careful, efficient and effective use of this crucial natural resource, and to preserve its use for future generations.

It is suggested that the province initiate the formation of more organizations to develop comprehensive watershed management plans to develop a newly integrated approach to managing regional water resources for economic vitality, environmental health and sustainability. Dr. David Schindler, Professor of Ecology at the University of Alberta, Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science has stressed the importance of the development of Comprehensive Watershed Management Plans to protect our watersheds and water quality. In Water for Life Alberta’s Strategy for Sustainability, the province plans the development of some watershed plans. This goal needs to be supported, enhanced and made to happen as soon as possible. The better the quality of water in our watersheds, the healthier our citizens and other natural resources (plants, animals) will be for this generation and future generations.

Resolution 13-03F was endorsed at the Fall 2003 Convention. It calls on the province to take immediate action that will encourage and support municipalities to participate in watershed initiatives and take a leadership role in protecting watersheds. It also calls on the province to invest in watershed management by providing funding and/or technical support to ensure that a partnership involving municipal governments can be achieved.