Elbow River Watershed Partnership (ERWP)  

Vision

Working together for ample clean water for the benefit of all.

Mission Statement

We support and encourage all stakeholders in the Elbow River Watershed to protect and enhance water quality and quantity.

Goals

  • Encourage individuals and communities take responsibility to protect and enhance water quality and quantity in the Elbow River Watershed
  • Encourage the use of new technologies for water conservation
  • Encourage best water management and land use practices
  • Support cooperation, coordination, and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders
  • Minimize the negative impacts of land uses on water quality and quantity
  • Increase awareness and understanding of the watershed

Achieving the Goals

Achieving the goals will require the collaborative efforts of groups (private sector, government and public interest) active in the Elbow watershed. The Partnership will provide the discussion and action forum to focus and coordinate watershed management efforts. The Partnership will identify actions necessary to protect or maintain the watershed; and will work cooperatively to implement those actions with appropriate organizations or agencies.

The Partnership acknowledges that individual groups are and will continue to work towards their individual objectives. The Partnership is not a regulatory group and does not seek the authority to compel action. Member organizations can be expected to fulfil externally mandated (i.e., Legislated or Codes of Practice) responsibilities but it is not the role of the Partnership to ensure that they do so. Agencies with regulatory authority retain that responsibility and there is no expectation that any of that authority will be delegated to the Partnership.

 

Benefits of the Partnership to Members

  • Provides a forum for communication, networking and sharing information and expertise
  • Provides opportunities to partner on joint initiatives
  • Facilitates and encourages the exchange of new ideas
  • Provides information to help minimize costs to members
  • Provides a big picture of what is occurring in the watershed
  • Informs and links government leaders with the grassroots issues related to the watershed and resources required
  • Acts as a catalyst to encourage groups, individuals and organizations to move to action
  • Identifies and addresses concerns in a pro-active manner
  • Increases understanding of individual strengths of the stakeholders and seizes win-win opportunities for collective action
  • By working together on issues and concerns in this watershed, stakeholders can gain knowledge and expertise to promote sustainable practices in the broader Bow River Basin

Guiding Principles

  • Environmentally appropriate management practices are cost effective
  • Effective environmental and watershed stewardship practices come from a forum where all stakeholders can participate and contribute
  • Our approach is open, inclusive and purpose driven
  • Stakeholders are encouraged to contribute their expertise in the process
  • Stakeholders work in cooperation with one another toward achieving our goals
  • We respect and value the opinions of others
  • The process is flexible to allow for change
  • Membership is voluntary
  • We follow the best available scientific understanding of issues, cause and effect relationships and best management practices
  • Decision-making in all committees is by consensus

Our Organizational Structure

For a graphical representation of ERWP committees click Chart [pdf, 13 KB]).

1. Stakeholder Committee

Membership:

  • All organizations represented in the Coordinating Committee
  • Representatives from each of the following, who will represent their respective group throughout the process:
  • Bragg Creek Environmental Coalition
  • Farmers of the Elbow Watershed
  • Rocky View School Division
  • Oil & Gas industry
  • Rancher/grazing lease holder
  • Horse stables
  • Residential developer
  • Golf courses
  • Water co-op/supplier
  • Forestry companies
  • Recreation groups
  • Community organizations
  • Fisheries and Oceans
  • Others

Role:

  • Participate in strategic planning session and provide input to the process
  • Participate in meetings and activities as set out in operational plan
  • Disseminate information to respective stakeholder groups
  • Carry out local watershed activities including, but not limited to, enhancement, monitoring and restoration
  • Other

 

2. Coordinating Committee

Membership:

  • Stakeholder Committee Chair and two Vice-Chairs
  • One staff member (or their alternate) from each of the following:
  • City of Calgary
  • MD of Rocky View
  • Tsuu T'ina Nation
  • Alberta Government
  • Bow River Basin Council
  • Watershed coordinator


Role:

  • Co-ordinate the development and implementation of a strategic plan and process to accomplish stated goals, with input from resource partners and stakeholder committee
  • Meet as required
  • Manage finances within approved budget
  • Provide recommendations and liaise with Local Government Committee
  • Define role, liaise with and supervise watershed coordinator
  • Participate in fundraising initiatives as required
  • Chair and/or Watershed Coordinator act as public spokespersons for the Partnership

 

3. Local Government Committee

Membership:

  • Alberta Government elected official (MLA)
  • City of Calgary elected official
  • Municipal District of Rocky View elected official
  • Tsuu T'ina Nation elected official
  • Kananaskis Improvement District official or designate
  • Townsite of Redwood Meadows elected official
  • Coordinating Committee representatives (Chair and Watershed Coordinator)


Role:

  • Appoint a Chair and Vice-Chair annually
  • Meet once or twice annually
  • Represent their respective constituents, balancing their needs with the Partnership vision
  • Make policies they are prepared to implement and enforce locally, with input from the whole Partnership (Coordinating, Resource Partners and Advisory Committee)
  • Sanction the Partnership's strategic and operational plans
  • Formally highlight Partnership activities to respective council or legislative assembly
  • Consider and support recommendations and necessary budget approvals for the Partnership


4. Resource Partners

Membership:

  • Federal Government
  • Provincial Government
  • Municipal Government
  • Universities
  • Trout Unlimited
  • Ducks Unlimited
  • Alberta Conservation Association
  • RiverWatch
  • Others


Role:

  • Provide support for information/technical needs for the Partnership
  • Attend stakeholder meetings as requested or desired.

 

5. Watershed Coordinator

Role: Coordinate Partnership activities that lead to improving water management in the Elbow River watershed. Focus is on the establishment of a comprehensive management plan. Work with all interests that are or will affect the health of the watershed including all levels of government, elected officials, business people, community groups, watershed residents, and interested citizens.



NOTE: No remuneration is intended or budgeted by the Elbow River Watershed Partnership for the involvement of any participants in the above-noted committees or process, unless specified in an approved budget, except for the Watershed Coordinator.