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AWC Call for Working Group Members ALMS has positions available on the Partnerships Strategy & Non-Point Source Pollution Working Groups. Please send your letter of interest and qualifications to info(at)alms.ca by April 15, 2010. Water for Life Partnership Strategy Working Group
Project Description
- The Council recognized a need to improve communication, coordination, integration and cooperation between the Alberta Water Council and the other Water for Life partnerships – particularly the Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils and decided to create a Working Group to further examine the issue.
- No firm project description exists – the purpose of the Working Group will be to develop a clear, concise, achievable project (ie. Develop a Terms of Reference)
- The Working Group will not “do” the project, but will describe a project to be completed by a Project Team
Membership
- Sectors should have an interest in this issue (deal makers, deal breakers, implementers)
- Representative does not have to be a Council Director or Alternate
- Representative needs to have characteristics described below, from Council’s Process Guidelines
- For this particular group, we need a cross-section of representatives with significant experience participating in one or more of the WFL partnerships – WPACs, WSGs or AWC
- Ideally, this Working Group will have 2 or 3 representatives from each broad category, but this will be adjusted as interest demands.
Expectations of Representative:
- Represent a particular stakeholder organization or sector
- Have the time required to complete the work of the Council
- Report regularly to their sector
- Follow the rules and principles of consensus decision making
- Be knowledgeable about water, watershed function, sector use of water, AND FOR THIS PROJECT - Water for Life partnerships
- Respect the opinions and experience of others
- Make constructive contributions that advance the team’s goals and objectives, and help others to do the same
- Be able to represent the interests of their sector while working creatively and constructively with others towards a common goal
- Brief their sector’s Director regularly, including prior to the team’s report and recommendations being presented to the Board
- As appropriate, participate in briefing Directors and Alternates in their broad category
- Liaise with their sector’s participants on the Board and other Council teams to maximize synergy, ensure coordination, and prevent duplication by keeping each other informed.
Commitment:
- The expected commitment for this Working Group is approximately 2 months
- Working Group commitment would include two meetings in person, one or two conference calls, and email review of materials between April 1 and June 10th
- First Group meeting will likely fall during the week of May 3-7th, with materials being distributed a week or two ahead
- Representatives are not required to participate in any subsequent Project Team(s) that might result from this work, but many sectors have found this helpful. Project Team commitments are generally 9-15 months in length.
Non-Point Source Pollution Working Group
Project Description
- The Council, through its “Recommended Projects to Advance the Goal of Healthy Aquatic Ecosystems” recognized an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the contributions of non-point source pollution and the polices and tools that can minimize their impacts. Work in this area appears to align nicely with the Government of Alberta’s new direction to address impacts of all activities on the landscape through a cumulative effects management approach
- No firm project description exists – the purpose of the Working Group will be to develop a clear, concise, achievable project (i.e. Terms of Reference)
- The Working Group will not “do” the project, but will describe a project to be completed by a Project Team
Membership
- Sectors should have an interest in this issue (deal makers, deal breakers, implementers)
- Representative does not have to be a Council Director or Alternate
- Representative needs to have characteristics described below, from Council’s Process Guidelines
- For this particular group, it would be beneficial if the representative already has a good understanding of non-point source pollution – its sources, types and controls.
Expectations of Representative:
- Represent a particular stakeholder organization or sector
- Have the time required to complete the work of the Council
- Report regularly to their sector
- Follow the rules and principles of consensus decision making
- Be knowledgeable about water, watershed function, and sector use of water
- Respect the opinions and experience of others
- Make constructive contributions that advance the team’s goals and objectives, and help others to do the same
- Be able to represent the interests of their sector while working creatively and constructively with others towards a common goal
- Brief their sector’s Director regularly, including prior to the team’s report and recommendations being presented to the Board
- As appropriate, participate in briefing Directors and Alternates in their broad category
- Liaise with their sector’s participants on the Board and other Council teams to maximize synergy, ensure coordination, and prevent duplication by keeping each other informed.
Commitment:
- The expected commitment for this Working Group is approximately 2 months
- Working Group commitment would include two meetings in person, one or two conference calls, and email review of materials between April 1 and June 10th
- First Group meeting will likely fall during the week of May 3-7th, with materials being distributed a week or two ahead
- Representatives are not required to participate in any subsequent Project Team(s) that might result from this work, but many sectors have found this helpful. Project Team commitments are generally 9-15 months in length.
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2010 ALMS Scholarship Winner Sarah Lord!Patterns of mercury contamination in Common Loons Over 55% of the total net electrical generation in the province of Alberta comes from coal-burning power stations near Wabamun Lake. High-temperature combustion of coal releases mercury, which undergoes long- and short-range atmospheric transport. Once deposited on the landscape, bacteria in lake sediments and wetlands convert the mercury into a neurotoxic form called methylmercury. Elevated concentrations of methylmercury in fish are the reason for the majority of fish consumption advisories issued across North America, including Alberta. Common Loons have been used as a ‘sentinel’ species for environmental methylmercury contamination for many years. Adult loons with elevated methylmercury concentrations in their blood lay smaller eggs, spend less time incubating those eggs, and spend less time in high-energy parenting behaviours such as feeding their chicks and allowing their chicks to ride on their backs. This collection of negative effects from methylmercury can have a significant impact on loon populations, which are an indicator of the overall health of lake ecosystems.
In collaboration with a nation-wide study by Environment Canada, Sarah is assessing the potential impact of local mercury sources at Wabamun Lake. Methylmercury concentrations are analyzed in lake sediments, invertebrates, fishes, and loons from lakes near and far from the mercury sources. If methylmercury concentrations are much higher in samples from lakes near the local source than those distant from the source, then the local source is likely having a significant effect on local aquatic habitat quality. The conclusions of this study will be used to draft new federal regulations on allowable industrial mercury emissions, in order to protect the integrity of aquatic ecosystems in Alberta and across the country. |
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ALMS seeks Alternate Director for the Alberta Water Council The Alberta Lake Management Society is currently seeking an Alternate Director for the Alberta Water Council. To apply for the position potential candidates are asked to submit a statement of interest and qualifications to:
info(at)alms.ca Details of the responsibilities and selection process are provided below. Position: The Alberta Lake Management Society (ALMS) represents the Lake Conservation Sector at the Alberta Water Council (AWC) through a Director and Alternate Director. The role of the AWC Director and Alternate Director is to represent the interests of ALMS and negotiate on ALMS behalf on AWC matters.
Through the AWC, ALMS contributes to the development of provincial policies and projects on water management issues. The vision and objectives of ALMS are thereby advanced through the AWC. ALMS gains networking opportunities through its participation in the AWC.
ALMS representatives will gain an increased awareness and understanding of water issues in Alberta, network with others interested in water issues, and have the opportunity to advance the vision and objectives of ALMS.
Eligibility: AWC representatives for ALMS need to be a Director, staff or member of ALMS. AWC representatives should have the following attributes:
Term length: The Director and Alternate Director positions are expected to serve a two-year term. Following a 2-year term, Directors and Alternates may reapply. The position will be posted and reviewed according to the process detailed below.
Time commitment: Estimated time for Directors and Alternates is 8-12 hours/ month on average. Project team or committee work is will require additional time; estimate 20-25 hours/month.
Responsibilities: The Director is expected to take a lead role in attending and participating in the Alberta Water Council Board level. The purpose of the Alternate Director position is to take the place of the Director if he or she is unavailable. Both the Director and Alternate are welcome to attend meetings and both are eligible for stakeholder support, as described in the AWC Stakeholder Support Policy. However, if both are present at a Board meeting, the Director will take the lead in participating in Board discussions and the Alternate will be primarily an observer. Both representatives are expected to take a unified position on issues.
Directors and Alternates are expected by the AWC to:
In addition, Directors and Alternates are expected by ALMS to:
Compensation:
The AWC pays all travel, accommodation, food costs and an honorarium for face-to-face meetings to those requiring assistance.
Process for selecting ALMS representatives:
ALMS will advertise the AWC representative position to its Directors, staff and members. Interested people should submit a resumé and a written statement explaining why they are interested in the position and what experience and knowledge they bring.
The ALMS board will consider the ability of the candidates to represent the depth and diversity of ALMS interests, work effectively in a multi-stakeholder, consensus environment, and respect AWC and ALMS duties with honesty and good faith.
Candidates for the AWC Directors and Alternate positions will be evaluated on the following criteria:
1) Knowledge of ALMS vision, objectives, programs and interests.
2) Participation in ALMS through membership on the Board (preferred), staff work, committees, workshops and programs.
3) Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
4) Commitment to advance ALMS vision and objectives.
5) Knowledge of lakes in Alberta including their natural conditions, and the effects of human activities on water quality and quantity.
6) Understanding of water uses by lake residents and recreational users.
7) Understanding of how lakes are linked to water and land uses in a watershed context.
8) Knowledge of the Government of Alberta's policies and regulations that relate to lake management.
The ALMS board will review all submissions and representatives will be selected by the vote of the majority. ALMS Directors who put their name forward as a AWC representative will be ineligible to vote on the matter.
Posting closes November 1st.
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2009 Scholarship Winner Justin Hanisch! ALMS would like to Congratulate Justin Hanisch, our 2009 Scholarship winner! Trout species have been stocked outside of their native ranges throughout North America for over 100 years. In Alberta, trout are stocked to provide recreational opportunities for the province’s anglers. Although numerous studies have documented serious negative effects of stocked trout on native organisms in mountain lakes, very little research has addressed effects of trout in lower elevation, boreal foothills lakes.
Justin’s research, in cooperation with the Alberta Conservation Association and Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, is documenting what effects stocked trout have on the native food webs, forage fish and invertebrates of boreal foothills lakes. Trout stomach contents and stable isotope analysis of trout and their prey are used to quantify trout diet in boreal lakes. Invertebrate and forage fish samples are also collected to determine what differences exist in these populations between lakes with and without trout.
In addition to comparing several lakes with and without trout, Justin has been sampling a single lake both before and after it was stocked with trout.
Justin’s research questions include:
1) What is the diet of trout in boreal foothills lakes, and does predation by stocked trout alter the food-web structure of stocked lakes?
2) How do stocked trout alter forage fish length distribution, density, and habitat use?
3) How do stocked trout alter littoral macroinvertebrate community composition, abundance, and size structure?
4) Do the complex littoral macrophyte beds of stocked lakes provide predation refuge for potential trout prey items? |
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2008 Scholarship Winner Nathan Ballard! Congratulations to our 2008 scholarship winner Nathan Ballard! Lake sediments contain proxies that generally indicate a trend toward increasing productivity in Alberta lakes. Nathan's interest lies in processes that facilitate the release of internally derived nutrients from lake sediments to the water column and more broadly, how sediments act as both a driver and a recorder of changes within the aquatic environment. The study of nutrient cycling is inherently interdisciplinary and Nathan's work draws from many fields. He is presently focused on geochemical aspects of microbial and algal ecology, and early diagenesis. Nathan strives to identify the important sources and sinks of nutrients within Alberta lake sediment and the processes that exacerbate or curb their release into interstitial waters, or ultimately their diffusion across the sediment-water interface. In his work Nathan strives to address the following questions: 1) What are the sources of dissolved phosphorus to interstitial waters of Alberta lake sediment? 2) Are atmospheric emissions contributing to phosphorus availibilty in Alberta lakes? 3) Are the alkalinities / pHs of Alberta lakes transient in response to increased sulfur and nitrogen loads? 4) What effect does acid deposition have on phosphorus / iron cycling within lake sediment? |
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Help for Urban Lakeshore Residents The Federation of Alberta Naturalists is pleased to announce Urban Lake Living - Healthy Communities, Healthy Lakes as part of their Living By Water Project. This exciting new tool for residents provides the answers to your questions about how to keep our urban lakes healthy. Taken from the Alberta Stewardship Network's fall newsletter: Link: Urban Lake Living Project |
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2006 Lakewatch Reports Now Online The complete 2006 Lakewatch Reports are now online: visit the Lakewatch Program page and download the PDFs now! Link: Lakewatch Program |
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September Website of the Month September's Website of the Month is the Water Education Foundation's Water Kids site: a source for interesting "did you know?" information on water quality. Learn more about how much water the average household consumes on a daily basis. Have you ever wondered how much water it takes just to flush a toilet? This website provides you with the answer, and many more! Link: Water Education Foundation |
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Photo Contest winner David Fairless receives his prizes! David Fairless - Photo Contest winner in both the AWQA Day and Lake Landscape & Wildlife categories - has been presented with his prizes! He is pictured here accepting his prizes with his family. He won a 100$ gift certificate from Mountain Equipment Co-op as well as four wildlife and stewardship books, valued at over 130$, donated by The Living by Water Project. Congratulations David! Link: Photo Contest Page |
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2007 AWQA Day Results are in! We are happy to announce that the 2007 AWQA Day program results are now available. We were so excited to see our participation numbers increase by over 2000 from last year! Our sincerest thanks to all who went out with friends and family this year to investigate local water quality and take an interest in the health of our provincial watersheds: your contribution is invaluable to us. We would also like to thank our sponsors, without whom this program would not be possible. Check out this year's snapshot of provincial water quality! Link: 2007 AWQA Day Results |
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ALMS Workshop Program Draft An updated draft of the 2007 ALMS Workshop program has been uploaded! Please refer to our Upcoming Workshop page for more information and registration. Link: More Information and Registration |
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ALMS Website Survey Please take a few moments to evaluate the ALMS Website. Your response will help guide future decisions and additions regarding the Website. We value your feedback! Everyone that completes an ALMS Website Survey will be entered to win a copy of "On the Living Edge: Your Guide for Waterfront Living" by Sarah Kipp and Clive Calloway. Topics include: shoreline erosion, native plants on your shoreline, protecting your water quality, septic systems, building by water, caring for your yard and garden, recreation and boating, and co-existing with wildlife. Link: Take Our Survey! |
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Edmonton Low Impact Development Conference The Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership presents: the Edmonton Low Impact Development Conference on November 27-29, 2007 in Edmonton, AB. It will be a conference examining development issues facing northern Alberta with a focus on low impact development and storm water Management. Link: More Information and Registration |
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Large Lakes Conference Set aside the dates of October 17-18 to attend this first-of-its-kind in conference in Western Montana. LARGE LAKES CONFERENCE – Keeping Our Lakes Clean: Protecting water quality in large lakes systems experiencing rapid growth. Sponsored by the Flathead Basin Commission, the Flathead Lakers, and the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes, the conference will take place at the Kwa-Taq-Nuk Resort on the shores of Flathead Lake at Polson. Invited participants from such lakes as Bear in Idaho and Utah, Couer d'Alene and Pend d'Orielle in Idaho, Tahoe in Nevada and California, and Okanagan in British Columbia, will share their hands-on experiences and successes. You will receive first-hand information on: • Techniques for dealing more effectively with a wide variety of growth-related issues • How to achieve better cooperation and coordination in areas with multiple governmental jurisdictions • How large lake ecosystems work, with a focus on surface and groundwater interactions • How best to protect "critical areas" needed to protect water quality • Such specific topics as how to combat the advance of invasive aquatic plants and animals • The specific examples of Tahoe and other large lakes This conference is designed to be of specific interest to those who have the responsibility for protecting water quality – county commissioners, planning board members and staffs, city council members as well as city public works and planning departments, and other professionals, including developers and contractors. It will also provide a wealth of information and inspiration for individuals and members of non-profit organizations who are interested in public policy and protecting water quality, a critically important asset that contributes to the local and regional economies and to the high quality of life we experience in the Flathead and on other large lakes. Contact the FBC if you have questions, need more information, or would like to register early. A complete agenda will be available within the next several weeks, with all registration details. www.flatheadbasincommission.org 406.752.0081 Link: Flat Head Basin Commission |
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We need your input for Alberta's Water Strategy! Dear ALMS members and volunteers, The Alberta Environment Minister, Rob Renner, and the Alberta Water Council - a multi-stakeholder, consensus-based council representing various sectors involved in water management issues including ALMS, is seeking recommendations and feedback on the renewal of the provincial water strategy - Water for Life. ALMS is requesting your feedback in this process so that our views and opinions are voiced.
The Water for Life strategy was developed between 2001 and 2003 through public consultation across the province. The strategy is based on three key goals, or outcomes:
- Safe, secure drinking water supply
- Healthy aquatic ecosystems
- Reliable, quality water supplies for a sustainable economy
Reviews of the implementation progress show that the Water for Life strategy has progressed in a number of areas, but has failed to meet several short-term targets.
I encourage you to have your say on where the Water for Life strategy has succeeded, where it requires renewed emphasis, prioritization, and attention to emerging issues. The deadline for submissions is August 24, 2007.
If you are familiar with the strategy, you'll likely finish the questionnaire in about 30 minutes. Those less familiar may want more time to review the background material in the workbook. It took me 37 minutes. However, if you are short on time please just click through the questionnaire quickly to present your general opinions. If you are interested in helping to develop a list of recommendations or having input to them please let me know.
Following this consultation the Alberta Water Council will collate the responses and develop and present recommendations to Minister Renner in early 2008, prior to next year s budget. Please present your view to influence these recommendations.
Link: Water for Life |
Past News
| Jul 31st, 2007 | Publication Showcases Environmental Stewardship | View |
| Jul 31st, 2007 | Website of the Month | View |
| Jul 30th, 2007 | 2007 Photo Contest Winners | View |
| Jul 20th, 2007 | ALMS AGM Notice | View |
| Jul 18th, 2007 | AWQA Day Data-Entry Draw Winners! | View |
| Jul 18th, 2007 | AWQA Day Testing and Data-Entry Now Closed | View |
| Jul 18th, 2007 | AWQA Day Program Feedback | View |
| Jul 17th, 2007 | 2007 ALMS Workshop Now Open For Registration! | View |
| Jul 17th, 2007 | Advisories and Warnings Currently in Effect | View |
| Jul 17th, 2007 | Precipitation Received in the Last Month | View |
| Jul 10th, 2007 | Alberta Geological Survey Joint Mapping Program | View |
| Jul 10th, 2007 | Lakeland County Conference | View |
| Jun 22nd, 2007 | 15th Annual Alberta Lake Management Society Conference Presented with the Beaver Hills Initiative | View |
| Jun 22nd, 2007 | Lakewatch Volunteer Welcome Package | View |
| Jun 20th, 2007 | Protecting Water Quality on the Farm | View |
| Jun 20th, 2007 | ALMS Photo Contest Reminder! | View |
| Jun 20th, 2007 | AWQA Day Water Testing Close Date | View |
| Jun 20th, 2007 | Welcome to the Family | View |
| Jun 20th, 2007 | Orlando Registration is Open | View |
| Jun 20th, 2007 | www.worldlakes.org | View |
| Jun 19th, 2007 | Advisories and Warnings Currently in Effect | View |
| Jun 8th, 2007 | 2007 AWQA Day Participant Feedback | View |
| Jun 8th, 2007 | AWQA Day Committee BBQ | View |
| Jun 8th, 2007 | Emerald Awards 2007 | View |
| May 28th, 2007 | Shoot for the ALMS 2007 Photo Contest! | View |
| May 25th, 2007 | ALMS Print Newsletter 'From the Shoreline' has been Sent! | View |
| May 24th, 2007 | Alberta Stewardship Network Presents: Stewards in Motion 5 Workshop and Annual General Meeting | View |
| May 24th, 2007 | 2007 ALMS Lake Science Scholarship Winner – Vanessa Phillips – High Mountain Lakes as Indicators for Global Change | View |
| May 23rd, 2007 | Advisories and Warnings Currently in Effect | View |
| May 23rd, 2007 | Stewardship Group Feature: Mons Lake Community Association | View |
| May 15th, 2007 | BC Lake Stewardship Society Conference - "On the Beach - A Skinny Dip into Sustainable Lake and Watershed Development" | View |
| May 14th, 2007 | Great Resource from NALMS | View |
| May 11th, 2007 | On-site Wastewater Disposal System Advice Offered | View |
| May 10th, 2007 | Watershed Academy Offers Watershed Outreach Training | View |
| May 9th, 2007 | RoboCow: Operation H20 | View |
