Integrated Watershed Management Plan
Under the Water for Life Strategy, Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils (WPACs) are mandated to develop State of the Watershed Reports and to establish Watershed Management Plans. As residents of the Oldman Watershed we have been given a great opportunity to be involved in the governance of our watershed in an unprecedented way. By developing an integrated watershed management plan (IWMP) that targets specific and often unique issues and priorities within the Oldman Watershed we can ensure that management decisions affecting watershed resources will reflect the values and priorities of our community.
This page will include information and updates on the development of the IWMP process, highlight milestones, and include links to relevant articles for additional research and information. Additionally, the webpage will provide information on IWMP events such as open houses and workshops, and provide avenues for individuals to become involved in the process.
If you have any questions or comments related to the IWMP please send us an email at IWMP@oldmanbasin.org.
Goal of the IWMP for the OWC:
The goal of the Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP) is to engage and empower watershed residents and decision makers to determine environmental outcomes and an implementation strategy that will maintain and improve the Oldman Watershed while considering social, economic and cultural factors.
Objectives:
- Building partnerships
- Identifying gaps, trends and issues
- Identifying challenges and opportunities that impact the watershed
- Develop an implementation strategy that benefits the watershed by informing management decisions at all levels (decision makers, land/water users)
- Create an understanding within the watershed that every watershed resident will have a role in implementing aspects of the IWMP
Preliminary Scope:
The output of the initial stage of the IWMP plan will be to develop an Integrated Watershed Management Plan that will encompass the entire geographical extend of the watershed and will use an ecosystem approach to develop high-level watershed outcomes that include consideration for surface water, groundwater, water quality, water quantity, land-use, water-use, aquatic environment, etc. and their interactions.
Additional stages of the IWMP will be determined at a later date, following the release of the State of the Watershed report, gathering of local knowledge and issue identification, and prioritization of risks/challenges/issues/subwatersheds that need attention.If you are already a member, and are interested in being more involved, think about joining one of our teams. For more information, or to join a team, please contact Leta at leta@oldmanbasin.org.
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