There are no environmental experts in Alta. regional advisory committee on water

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. –

The province has established a water advisory committee to advise the government on how best to manage water resources, which some critics say has a significant blind spot.

The six-member committee faces a tough task as the province faces drought this summer.

But there is no one in the committee who has offended the environment.

“If we were thinking about the drought, it just seemed like a mistake. It's an environmental issue (and) we need to have people with an environmental perspective and expertise,” said Phillip Mainzer, conservation officer with the Alberta Wildlife Association (AWA).

Three members are representatives of municipalities in the province.

The other three represent the interests of industry, irrigation and local communities.

“When it comes to water, we're all in this together,” Alberta Environment Minister Rebecca Schultz said in a press release Tuesday.

“This committee gives me ideas and perspectives from the leaders of the province. They will share what they hear and see and help identify new or better ways to support families, farms, farmers and businesses if we face a severe drought this year.

The volunteer committee includes:

• Justin Wright, MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat;
• Paul McLauchlin, Ponoka County Reeve and President of Rural Alberta Municipalities;
• Ian Anderson, former CEO of Trans Mountain;
• Alex Ostrop, Chair, Alberta Irrigation Districts Association;
• Jack Royal, CEO of the Blackfoot Confederated Tribal Council; and
• Tanya Thorne, Mayor of Okotoks and Director of Southern Towns at the Alberta Council of Municipalities.

The province says all members will cover travel expenses related to their roles.

AWA believes that someone involved in the environment can have a positive impact.

“It's important to recognize that we have to leave water in these rivers and streams,” Mainzer said. There is a certain amount of water that these ecosystems need to stay there for their long-term health. Water is not only a resource for human consumption.”

The province issued a statement defending the selection of the committee members: “Alberta's Water Advisory Committee is designed to provide sound advice to the diverse groups affected by the drought in the coming months. Specifically, the committee will include representation from leaders with relevant expertise in agriculture, irrigation, Indigenous peoples, industry, rural and to ensure that we hear all affected voices on urban issues.”

How the province deals with a potential drought may be more important than ever.

A mild winter has left the Oldman and other Southern Alberta rivers dry.

With files from Michael Franklin