Deadline: 15-Sep-2024
Applications are now open for the Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program to improve flood and drought resiliency through restoration and enhancement of Alberta’s watersheds.
Alberta Environment and Protected Areas established and administers the Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program (WRRP). The WRRP aims to promote the long-term ability of watersheds to mitigate the effects of future flood and drought events. The primary objective of the program is to increase the natural capacity of the Province’s watersheds to reduce the intensity, magnitude, duration and effects from flooding and droughts for the benefit of Albertans and their communities. Additionally, the program aims to address impacts of past flooding and drought through the restoration of degraded priority areas within Alberta’s watersheds. This will be accomplished through non-structural mitigation measures, ongoing stewardship, and information to decision makers.
Focus Areas
- The Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program aims to improve natural watershed functions in order to build greater long-term resiliency to droughts and floods through 4 areas of focus:
- Restoration and enhancement of degraded or lost wetlands, riparian areas and floodplains within priority watersheds to improve flood and drought resiliency.
- Conservation of critical wetlands, riparian areas and floodplain features within priority watersheds, with these areas being given greater consideration for preserving by decision makers and landowners.
- Stewardship is increased through greater understanding and awareness among the public, land-use decision makers and other key stakeholders of the importance of watershed functions, and their relationship to flood and drought mitigation.
- Data, research and information are available to support the WRRP and aid future decision-making.
- The program also addresses impacts of past flooding and/or droughts through the restoration of degraded areas in priority watersheds.
Funding Priorities
- Activities that have a clear and demonstrable benefit to the watershed’s flood or drought mitigation abilities;
- Education, outreach, data collection, research or other planning activities related to long-term projects that are directly tied to watershed restoration and resiliency, and on-the-ground projects;
- Projects developed as partnerships with non-governmental organizations, First Nations, local authorities, land owners and producers.
- Priorities for short-term and long-term projects include:
- High-risk/contributing areas at the watershed level;
- Floodplain or channel naturalization;
- Bank stabilization through riparian enhancements or approved bio-engineering techniques;
- Wetland restoration and creation;
- Protection of existing natural features and key watershed functions;
- Projects that provide a high benefit to flood or drought resiliency; and/or
- Consideration of the secondary and complementary project selection criteria.
Outcomes
- The WRRP focuses on projects that will contribute to meeting the following overall program outcomes:
- Advancing flood and drought resiliency in priority areas within watersheds in Alberta;
- Restoring and enhancing ecological connectivity and function in critical areas;
- Increasing knowledge, awareness and tools that enhance watershed resiliency
Eligible Projects
- Examples of projects considered under the WRRP include:
- Riparian enhancements (e.g. watering systems, buffers, stream crossings, riparian fencing, riparian plantings);
- Wetland enhancements (e.g. wetland creation, enhancement or restoration);
- Floodplain/river improvements (e.g. channel naturalization, removal of old structures, removal of flow impediments, re-vegetation, floodplain storage capacity enhancements, winter site relocations);
- Creation/increase of absorptive capacities;
- Removal of existing drainage projects or works; and
- Onsite water retention efforts.
- Applications may include projects for one individual site or multiple sites within a watershed under the same project plan. Data collection efforts for the purpose of research, evaluation and assessment, and education and outreach will be considered but must be directly tied to one of the above mentioned activities as part of an overall project plan.
Ineligible Projects
- Examples of ineligible projects under the WRRP include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Structural restoration or construction (e.g. dams, berms, dykes, tunnels, riprap, storm water ponds);
- Municipal infrastructure, such as stormwater ponds, etc.;
- Groyne and other in-stream structures;
- River training or realignment;
- “Hard armouring” erosion protection (e.g. non- bioengineering projects, such as riprap and other river armouring)
- Projects that increase the development opportunities or liabilities within flood prone areas;
- Weed control projects/programs; and,
- Dugouts and water wells.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be legal entities, such as:
- Non-governmental organizations;
- Municipalities;
- Indigenous communities;
- Incorporated watershed groups;
- Drainage/irrigation districts; and,
- Any other group registered under the provincial Societies Act.
- Individuals and private enterprises are not eligible to receive funding under this program but are encouraged to participate and contribute to projects with eligible partners.
For more information, visit Government of Alberta.