The Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils (WPAC’s) are multi-stakeholder councils that conduct basin planning and evaluation in co-ordination with the Government of Alberta. They produce state of the basin reports; provide recommendations in watershed management plans; collaborate with land managers; provide "on-the-ground" actions; advice and support watershed stewardship groups; and, present issues to the Alberta Water Council.
North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance
The North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance (NSWA) is currently working on an Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP) to provide a framework for protecting, maintaining and restoring a healthy, natural watershed system where economic and social needs are in balance with the ecological needs of the watershed. As part of this project, the NSWA is establishing Regional Advisory Committees (RACs) within the watershed. RACs are multi-stakeholder groups that will provide advice and direction to the NSWA in the preparation and implementation of the IWMP - the Terms of Reference for these committees can be found on the NSWA website at http://www.nswa.ab.ca/pdfs/iwmp_tor_rac.pdf.
As a part of the IWMP, the NSWA is seeking nominations for members on the RACs. As for commitment, RAC members are asked to complete a two-year term and regularly report back to the organizations that they represent. The application deadline for these member positions is September 1, 2006, with monthly information sharing sessions beginning in October or November, ongoing until the end of 2007. Nominations can be made by contacting the NSWA at (780) 496-5577 or through their website.
It is important that the pork industry maintain producer participation on these regional committees. Participation in all watershed groups will ensure our voice is heard, especially when the time comes to develop policies that may affect our producers.
For more information regarding the NSWA or its Integrated Watershed Management Plan, please call the Alliance at (780) 496-5577, or go to www.nswa.ab.ca. |