MICKEY DUMONT
THE MACLEOD GAZETTE, LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE
With a deadline looming to move water licences issued prior to 2021 to the digital regulatory assurance system, the MD of Willow Creek agricultural service board is planning October information sessions.
The free digital regulatory assurance system workshops are scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 17 from 1-3 p.m. and again from 5–7 p.m. at the municipal district office.
Reeve Maryanne Sandberg asked director of agricultural services Carla Preachuk to explore hosting workshops with Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (AEPA), focusing on assisting water licence holders.
The AEPA initiative is called “Move My Licence.”
According to an Alberta government fact sheet, the digital regulatory assurance system has been accepting new applications for Water Act licences and other types of water authorizations since 2021.
Records associated with water licences issued prior to 2021 are still housed in a series of older electronic and paper-based systems that aren’t reliably connected to each other.
“Move My Licence” is a call for water licence holders in Alberta to move their water licences issued before November 2021 to the digital regulatory assurance system by Dec. 31, 2024.
The digital regulatory assurance system helps water licence holders manage their water licences and associated water use information more efficiently.
“A lot of licence holders have probably already moved their licence but there could be ones who are wanting a little bit of assistance,” Preachuk said. “We decided to offer a hands-on workshop so if somebody wanted, they could come here and get direct help with the move.”
The Oldman Dam Downstream Stakeholders Guild (O-DAM) is giving $1,000 to assist with the cost of the workshops.
The workshops will be facilitated by AEPA regulatory assurance manager Owen Cook.
