Title
Participation in Alberta Community Partnership Grant - Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance
Proposed Motions:
1) That Council authorizes Administration to participate in an Alberta Community Partnership Grant application for the completion of the Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance Integrated Watershed Management Plan Preliminary Research - Phase 1;
2) That Council support the designation of the Summer Village of Silver Sands as the project lead for the Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance Integrated Watershed Management Plan Preliminary Research - Phase 1
3) That Council supports the Summer Village of Silver Sands to enter into a conditional grant agreement with the Government of Alberta governing the purpose and use of the grant funds.
Body
Administration Recommendation
Administration supports all motions as proposed.
Purpose
Council is being requested to authorize Administration to participate in the submission of an Alberta Community Partnership Grant to complete background work associated with the completion of the Sturgeon River Watershed Plan.
Summary
On February 11, 2014, Council confirmed Parkland County's participation on the Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance (formerly Sturgeon River Watershed Partnership). The ultimate purpose of the group is to develop a Watershed Management Plan for the Sturgeon River Watershed, and to provide advice to participating member municipalities on how to implement findings of the Management Plan.
To complete the Watershed Management Plan, the Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance (SRWA) Steering Committee and Technical Advisory Committee identified key background research to be undertaken. This research is entitled " the Sturgeon River Watershed Management Plan Preliminary Research - Phase 1". Completion of this work is critical to informing the Watershed Management Plan. As part of this process, the Watershed Alliance is proceeding with an Alberta Community Partnership Grant to fund this background research. The Summer Village of Silver Sands has volunteered to undertake the project lead for this grant application. As a condition of the grant application, Parkland County, as a member of the SRWA, is being requested to pass three motions: (1) to authorize Administration to participate in the Grant application, (2) to support the Summer Village of Silver Sands to be designated as the project lead for the Community Grant, and (3) to support the Summer Village of Silver Sands to enter into a conditional grant agreement with the Government of Alberta.
If the application for an Alberta Community Grant is successful, the SRWA will hire a consultant to complete the Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance Integrated Watershed Management Plan Preliminary Research - Phase 1.
Project work to be undertaken as part of the Preliminary Research (Phase 1) would include:
(a) an integrated natural areas review for all natural areas that fall in the Sturgeon River Watershed;
(b) a watershed-specific wetland inventory for all existing and drained wetlands in the Sturgeon River Watershed; and,
(c) a watershed-specific riparian areas inventory and review of all existing riparian areas in the Sturgeon River Watershed.
Additional research which may be covered under the Community Grant includes, in part, completion of a Water Supply and Demand Study for the Watershed. This Study will help determine current supply and demand needs in the Watershed, evaluate future development and growth scenarios for the Watershed, evaluate existing water management strategies, and recommend new strategies to meet future water demands.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications
The SRWA is seeking the Alberta Community Partnership Grant under the "Intermunicipal Cooperation" category. Under this category, all participating municipalities must pass Council resolutions supporting the project that is seeking grant funding. If Council does not pass the three proposed motions, the success of receiving the Alberta Community Grant for Phase 1 research associated with completing the Sturgeon River Watershed Management Plan will be severely compromised.
If the SRWA's application for a Alberta Community Grant is successful, Administration can use findings from this Phase 1 research (when complete) to support ongoing County projects and initiatives. This includes the County's continued work on the Community Sustainability and Development Plan (CSDP), and current work on the Lake Wabamun Sub-Watershed Land Use Plan. Participation and support of this grant application also aligns to Council's Value Statements identified in the 2014-2018 Council Strategic Plan.
The application deadline for the Alberta Community Grant application for the project is November 30, 2014. As such, a timely approval of the motions is requested. If Council accepts the above motions, notification to the SRWA and the Summer Village of Silver Sands will be provided immediately, with copies of the County's motions provided for submission into the final grant application package.
Financial Impact:
There are no financial impacts or incurred costs associated with the participation in the Alberta Community Grant application for this project.
Cost:
N/A
Source of Funding:
N/A
Attachments:
None