Mackenzie River Basin State of the Aquatic Ecosytem Report 2003
The members of the Mackenzie River Basin Board (MRBB) are pleased to present, in accordance with Section 2.0 of the
Mackenzie River Basin Transboundary Waters Master Agreement, the first Mackenzie River Basin State of the Aquatic Ecosytem Report 2003 (SOAER).
This comprehensive report will:
- provide Ministers with an understanding of the current state of the aquatic ecosystem of one of the largest river basins in the world;
- inform basin residents and decision-makers about the ecological integrity of the entire Mackenzie River watershed;
- identify gaps and inconsistencies in knowledge and monitoring practices and point towards possible improvements; and
- highlight the value of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) as an integral compenent in ecological assessment.
As a multi-jurisdictional Board, the MRBB is very pleased with the way individuals from several agencies came together to collaborate on this report, drawing from existing research and TEK reports. These efforts have resulted in a document that is relevant and useful for decision-makers, residents and others with an interest in the Mackenzie River Basin.
The Board has 13 members, three representing the Government of Canada and two from each province and territory. One of the two provincial and territorial members has been appointed to represent Aboriginal organizations in each jurisdiction. The Board is unique because of this interjurisdictional partnership, the presence of members representing Aboriginal interests alongside representatives of the governments, and the commitment by all parties to maintain the ecological integrity of the aquatic ecosystem. The Province of Saskatchewan is represented on the Mackenzie River Basin Board by Vice Chief Don Deranger, from Prince Albert Grand Council and Doug Johnson, Director of Basin Operations for the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority.
A major finding of the report is that the aquatic ecosytem in the Mackenzie River Basin is generally healthy. Nevertheless, the report raises concerns about a number of information gaps, environmental trends, and monitoring and management practices. After reflecting on these findings, the MRBB felt it worthwhile to provide comments on these findings. The
attached Observations and Advice is directed towards the MRBB's member jurisdictions, and aboriginal organizations, local governments, industries, and interested individuals.
The MRBB hopes that future decisions regarding water management within the Mackenzie River Basin will consider both the findings of this first SOAER and the Observations and Advice provided herein. For its own part, the MRBB will be using the report to craft its own business plan for the next four years. As part of its on-going cycle of reporting the Board will again assess the state of the Mackenzie River Basin and those actions taken to address water issued in its second Mackenzie River Basin of the Aquatic Ecosytem Report to be produced in five years.
Maps of the Mackenzie River Basin are available on the Mackenzie River Basin Board website at http://www.mrbb.ca/maps.asp.
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Advisories