Alberta Record

· Order in Council / Milk River Basin Water Management Plan · in-force

Oic milk river basin water management plan

The OIC approves the Water Management Plan for the Milk River Basin, enabling the designated Director under the Water Act to approve water allocation transfers and utilize water conservation holdbacks within the basin.

High impactCentralization of powerThe public, directly

What changed

  • Approves the Water Management Plan for the Milk River Basin (Alberta) Phase One.
  • Enables the designated Director under the Water Act to approve water allocation transfers within the Milk River Basin.
  • Enables the Director to utilize water conservation holdbacks when approving water allocation transfers.
  • Maintains the existing moratoria on new surface water licences in the basin, while retaining the Director's discretion to issue temporary diversion licences.

Why it matters

  • Centralizes decision-making authority for water allocation transfers in the Milk River Basin to the designated Director.
  • Introduces a formal mechanism for water conservation through holdbacks during allocation transfers, potentially impacting water availability for users.
  • Provides a structured framework for managing water resources in a transboundary basin, aiming for administrative efficiencies.
  • Clarifies the scope of the Director's discretion regarding temporary water diversion licences amidst existing moratoria.

Other governance concerns

  • Delegation of authority for water allocation decisions to a specific Director
  • Discretionary powers of the Director regarding water conservation holdbacks and temporary diversion licences
  • Impact on water users due to changes in allocation transfer processes and conservation measures

Primary sources (1)

Secondary sources (1)