After multiple years of dedicated planning with the Milk River community and stakeholders, the MRWCC’s Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP) Team is pleased to announce that the Plan is complete.  The IWMP makes recommendations to improve the management of surface water and groundwater supply and quality, riparian areas and wetlands, biodiversity, land use and economy in the watershed.  The Milk River IWMP was approved unanimously by the Milk River Watershed Council Canada on September 24, 2015.  

The outstanding support received for the Milk River IWMP is best reflected in the following notable quotes:

I congratulate the Milk River Watershed Council Canada for completing its Integrated Watershed Management Plan.  This work is a testament to your leadership in watershed planning and provides a valuable contribution to the Government of Alberta and the sustainable management of the Milk River watershed.

-       Robert Stokes, Executive Director, Strategic Relationships and Engagement Branch, Alberta Environment and Parks

Congratulations on completing Milk River Watershed Integrated Management Plan.  We appreciate the grassroots approach and landowner’s being responsible for the environment.

-       Joan Hughson, Deputy Reeve, County of Forty Mile No. 8

On behalf of the County of Warner Council, we congratulate the Milk River Watershed Council Canada on the completion of the Integrated Watershed Management Plan.  It was a significant undertaking and we were pleased to be involved in the development of the plan.  It is a bottom up approach for the management of our watershed and will be a valuable tool for planning and development of the region for many years to come.

-       Ross Ford, Reeve, County of Warner

The Town of Milk River relies on the Milk River and surrounding lands to sustain our community.  We appreciate the emphasis that the Milk River IWMP placed on the management of our water supplies and the protection of surface water and groundwater resources in our watershed. Thank you for helping to give our area a voice with the Government on decisions that affect our watershed.

-       Suzanne Liebelt, Councillor, Town of Milk River

Water is one of the most essential elements to health and life.  

All humans understand this.  So does the oil and gas industry.  That is why working to implement best practices and integrating with the IWMP is so important.

-       Ryan Hall, Granite Oil

The MRWCC is now shifting focus from planning to the implementation of the recommendations in the Plan.  A presentation of the Final Milk River IWMP was made on November 19, 2015 to the Milk River community at a Public Open House on November 19, 2015.  A discussion of the draft Terms of Reference for an Approved Water Management Plan initiative followed.  The drafting of an Approved Water Management Plan initiative is just one example of how recommendations made within the Milk River IWMP are being implemented. 

Governing jurisdictions in the watershed are encouraged to use the plan as a guidance document and planning tool (or reference) when making decisions regarding land and water resources.  Stakeholders will work together to achieve the outcomes highlighted in the Plan. 

Download the Milk River IWMP – Final Document (2015)