Integrating Land and Water
Policies, Plans and Practices

To achieve its goals, the Athabasca Watershed Council is taking a watershed approach, which includes looking at all the lands that drain into the Athabasca River. How we manage these uplands can have an impact on water quality, water quantity and aquatic ecosystem health. Therefore, it is important that land and water managers work together to integrate policies, plans, and practices.  

Land and water management in the Athabasca watershed is guided by several provincial policies such as the Land Use Framework, Water for Life, and the Alberta Wetland Policy. Several pieces of legislation that guide activities on the land and around waterbodies are also important such as the Water Act, Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, Public Lands Act and Alberta Land Stewardship Act (ALSA).  

Under ALSA, the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan sets regional social, economic and environmental goals. Additionally, Environmental Management Frameworks are used to manage cumulative land use impacts in this region. A number of more localized integrated resource management plans (such as the Coal Branch Sub-regional IRM) also guide activity in the watershed.  

Municipalities also have a strong role to play in integrating water management into their activities. Within their municipal development plans and land use bylaws, municipalities can use tools like building setbacks and Environmental Reserves to protect waterbodies. How they manage their stormwater run-off and local flood plains can also impact watershed health. Several organizations have created tools to support municipal land and water management. Some examples include:  

• Alberta Clean Runoff Action Guide 

• Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership 

• ASVA Lake Stewardship Guide 

• BRWA Guide to Watershed Management in Land Use Planning for Local Governments 

• NSWA Guides and Tools (see Municipal Planning Guide, Municipal Road Salt Management template, Riparian Health and Municipal Planning, etc.)  

• Stepping Back from the Water: A Beneficial Management Practices Guide for New Development near Water Bodies in Alberta’s Settled Area 

Agriculture and Industry can also incorporate water management principles into their land use planning and best management practices. Keeping shoreline buffers healthy and properly maintaining watercourse crossings can ensure land use activities do not affect watershed health. Some agriculture and industry resources include:  

• Alberta Environmental Farm Plan 

• Alberta Water Course Crossing Collaborative 

• Riparian Web Portal 

• Wetland Best Management Practices for Forest Management Planning and Operations Practitioner Guide 

If you have a good tool or resource to help integrate land and water policies, plans and practices, let us know by emailing info@athabascawatershed.ca