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By rdnewsNOW Staff

PROVINCIAL POLITICS

Government announces new drought advisory committee for Alberta

Feb 8, 2024 | 3:10 PM

Alberta’s new Water Advisory Committee will help prepare for drought and work to make every drop count in 2024.

That according to the provincial government which says 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.

Government officials say 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. Officials say Alberta is at risk of a severe drought in parts of the province this year.

Provincial officials say the six-person advisory committee includes leaders with experience in agriculture, irrigation, Indigenous, industry, rural and urban issues. It will act as an independent sounding board to help the government support communities, farmers and ranchers, and businesses share, conserve, and manage water during a potential drought, officials point out. Officials say the committee will give advice directly to Alberta’s minister of environment and protected areas.

“When it comes to water, we are all in it together,” says Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas. “This committee will provide me with ideas and perspectives from leaders across the province. 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 government says Alberta is taking action to prepare for a potential drought and to find ways to help maximize the province’s water supplies.

In the coming months, the Water Advisory Committee is expected to 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, say government officials.

The Water Advisory Committee will include:

Justin Wright, MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat

Paul McLauchlin, reeve of Ponoka County and president of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta

• Ian Anderson, former CEO of Trans Mountain
• Alex Ostrop, chair of the Alberta Irrigation Districts Association
• Jack Royal, CEO of the Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council
• Tanya Thorn, mayor of Okotoks and director, Towns South on the board of Alberta Municipalities
• “I am excited to be part of this committee and to provide advice on how government can help residents of southern Alberta deal with drought this year,” shares Justin Wright, MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat. “By working together, and listening to voices outside of government, we will make sure that everything possible is being done to prepare for drought and respond if needed.”
• “Drought and water shortages are a deep concern for our irrigators and agricultural producers,” adds RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation. “That’s why we have strong representation on the Water Advisory Committee, so our producers can be assured their interest is represented. The work of this committee will be essential to maximizing and finding efficiencies that will ensure as much water as possible is conserved to produce the food that feeds our families, both here and abroad.”

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

Alberta government quick facts

• The committee will operate for one year.
• No remuneration will be provided to committee members other than reimbursement for travel expenses.