Title
Alberta Partnership Grant Application on behalf of Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance.
Proposed Motions
1. That administration be directed to apply for the Alberta Community Partnership (ACP) Grant Application on behalf of the Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance (SRWA) to enable further implementation of the Sturgeon River Management Plan, as presented.
2. That administration be directed to provide SRWA a letter of support for the ACP grant application, as presented.
Body
Administration Recommendation
Administration supports the proposed motions.
Purpose
The Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance is requesting the support of Parkland County to apply to the Alberta Community Partnership Grant (Government of Alberta) because it is not an eligible entity.
Summary
The Alberta Community Partnership Grant helps municipalities by providing support for regional collaboration and capacity building initiatives.
Under the "inter-municipal collaboration category", the Government of Alberta provides funding to municipalities to develop regional plans and delivery frameworks, like watershed plan implementation.
The scope of the grant work would include (1) Sturgeon River Watershed Watershed Water Quality Evaluation with a further examination of trends, flow, and land use influences; and (2) Infrastructure Management Framework for Watershed Health to highlight infrastructure hot spots and provide guidance on rehabilitation and potential solutions, including a workshop component.
Staff implications would include submitting the grant application on behalf of the SRWA, entering into the grant agreement, receiving and managing the grant funds on behalf of SRWA, and reporting to the ministry on project expenditures and outcomes.
The deadline for grant applications is October 1, 2024, and the project is proposed to take place over a three-year period from 2025-2028.
Historical Information:
The Sturgeon River Watershed Management Plan was created in 2020. Its vision is that the Sturgeon River watershed is recognized and valued as a natural prairie river system that connects to our communities and adds to our quality of life.
The Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance is a Watershed Stewardship Group taking a collaborative approach to watershed management in the Sturgeon River watershed. Parkland County is one of several municipalities represented on the SRWA, and it is Chaired by Councilor Kristina Kowalski.
In 2020 Parkland County Council Moved to:
1. Accept the Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance Watershed Management Plan for information, as presented.
2. Continue to work collaboratively with other municipalities and the Sturgeon River Watershed Alliance to implement the plan.
3. Consider the plan recommendations in the decision-making of the municipality including development of new or updated statutory and other documents.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications:
(1) The work would be consistent with Council Policy C-PW26 Salt Management (Public Works), which necessitates that road salts be managed in accordance with federal and provincial requirements.
(2) Council's Strategic Plan Piller C: Respected Environment and Agriculture (C1): To develop a policy framework that ensures the protection of Environmentally Significant Areas.
(3) Council's Strategic Plan Piller D: Responsible Leadership: Maintain the public's trust through transparent and fair decision-making, superior service delivery, and effective engagement.
Financial Impact:
Cost: Grant application in the maximum amount of $200,000. There is no matching fund requirement and minimal financial implication to the County.
Source of Funding: Alberta Community Partnership Grant