INPUT SOUGHT FOR SKELETON LAKE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN

Tina Biro, Advocate Staff

Progress is being made in the development of the Skeleton Lake Watershed Management Plan, however, public input is now needed. The Skeleton Lake Stewardship Association, in conjunction with the County of Athabasca, Village of Boyle and Summer Villages of Mewatha and Bondiss, have worked together in the development of the terms of reference for the watershed management plan and now they are looking for public input.

"Public consultation will be essential to the success of the Skeleton Lake Watershed Management Plan" said Hugh Harper, president of the SLSA. "The main purpose of public consultation will be to promote effective communication between the stewardship group, stakeholders and the general public, in order to maximize the opportunity for mutually acceptable solutions to water management issues."

Open house meetings will be held at three stages in the process - the draft terms of reference, the 'state of the watershed report', and the draft final plan stage.

The watershed management plan will be based on the values and goals obtained from the public communication process and from technical advice provided by other stakeholders.

The watershed management plan for Skeleton Lake is being developed in consultation with appropriate government agencies, landowners, non-government environmental groups and interested members of the public. "Everybody has to be involved", said Harper adding that it is important the final document represent the views of all the stakeholders in Skeleton Lake.

However the final approval for the terms of reference and the watershed management plan will come from Alberta Environment. "Alberta Environment, Skeleton Lake Stewardship Association and the local municipalities of Boyle, Mewatha Beach and Bondiss all consider the need for a Watershed Management Plan to be a priority," said Harper. "Also, there are growing concerns over the disappearance of valuable wetlands, critical fish habitat and waterfowl nesting."

"Concern has also been expressed that the water quality in the watershed is deteriorating due to the declining water levels and the extensive development in the watershed", he added.

A watershed management plan provides broad guidance for water management, sets out clear and strategic direction regarding how water should be managed, or results in specific actions.

Plans also develop information and provide recommendations on which to base decisions affecting a watershed. Resource decision makers can use these recommendations when their respective decisions could impact quantity, quality, habitat or species.

And according to Harper, the need to get the watershed management plan in place as soon as possible is becoming critical, as the Skeleton Lake narrows have dried sooner than expected.

"The situation is worrisome and getting worse," assessed Harper. "We had projected that within two years the narrows would be dry. Six weeks ago, I went through the narrows in a jet boat and there was six inches of water in there then," he said. "The lake has gone down more than six inches since then." There are fears that now that the narrows are dry, the declining water levels will be accelerated.

"It just accentuates the concern," said Harper.

"We think that the lake can be saved, but time is not our friend here," said Harper. "We need to be in a position to divert water back into the lake next spring."

To receive approval to divert the water the Skeleton Lake Watershed Management Plan must be in place.

"It's a beautiful lake, but it's in trouble so we are going to try and fix it," said Harper.

Public consultation regarding review of the draft terms of reference is scheduled for this Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Boyle Community Centre.

Everybody who has an interest in the future of Skeleton Lake is invited to come out to the open house on Saturday.

Tina Biro, Advocate Staff