The provincial government has laid out their drought response plan – OkotoksOnline.com

The Alberta government announced its 2024 drought response plan on May 2.

This plan covers everything from their conservation plans and water-sharing agreements to how they declare a state of emergency and prioritize water for human safety.

The Drought Response Plan will ensure communities, farmers, ranchers, businesses and all Albertans can get all the support they need, Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz said in a news release.

“This spring has brought much-needed moisture to many parts of the province, and new forecasts pointing to an increase in precipitation are cause for optimism. However, we must remain prepared for drought, now and in the future,” said the Minister of Environment and Protected Areas. Areas Rebecca Shulz in a May 2 press release. “Alberta’s Drought Response Plan is the foundation for that work and will help our province respond to all levels of drought for years to come.”

Because drought conditions can change quickly and affect different areas in different ways, this Drought Response Plan will help irrigators, communities, businesses, government and others respond effectively to a variety of drought conditions.

This plan outlines the five phases of Alberta’s drought response, the roles and responsibilities of partners, the approaches and tools that could be used in drought conditions, and how/when emergencies would be declared.

These objectives are to protect the health and safety of Albertans from drought, minimize the impact of drought on communities and the economy and the environment, implement a risk-based approach to assess the impacts of drought/ prepare and respond, and ensure responses to drought. Conditions are flexible and adjust in real time, allowing all Albertans to take the right action, save water and work together.

The first three phases of the plan include monitoring and observing water availability, active management and prioritization and risks for interprovincial distribution.

Currently, Alberta is in Phase 4, which involves significant water shortages in multiple water management areas, and many water users are struggling to access water, with significant conditions at the basin or provincial scale.

Phase 5 requires emergency measures to protect human health, public safety, critical infrastructure, critical environmental needs and livestock welfare.

There are three ways in which a state of emergency is declared.

The first way is when there is not enough water available for what they consider to be top priorities.

The next is when there is increased need in local authorities, or when local authorities are unable to respond to problems caused by drought.

The latter option is if Alberta’s water management system becomes overwhelmed and staff cannot implement or process regulatory measures quickly enough, delaying the drought response.

Each situation is reviewed individually to determine whether a declaration of an emergency is necessary.

If an emergency is declared, the provincial government would like to remind people that declared emergencies are temporary to allow the government to prioritize water use, and do not replace the legal requirements of the Water Act.

If one is declared, the government will take steps together with water users to manage the water in the area.

These steps may include suspending approvals, registrations or water permits, and identifying the purpose and quantity for which water will be used and diverted.

In addition to the risk of drought this year, May and June often also bring the risk of flooding.

That’s why the province has a 24-hour monitoring and emergency response program, as well as the $125 million Drought and Flood Protection Program and their investments in wetlands, watersheds and the modernization of Alberta’s water management system.

This Drought Management Plan is a living document and will be updated as necessary.

If you would like to read the full plan, click here.