On June 22, 2010 Alberta Environment hosted a forum for all Board and staff members of all the WPACs. At this forum, we were presented with a "partnership protocol" AENV has been working on to outline expectations regarding our respective roles and responsibilities. The main purpose of the Protocol is to clarify Alberta Environment's expectations around roles and responsibilities of WPACs and the department, based on our current Water for Life partnership.

We were provided with updates on several GOA initiatives and topics:

• regional planning,
• the Integrated Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting Framework
• Watershed Allocation Management System
• the Framework for Watershed Management Planning
• Aboriginal engagement

Please see below for the agenda and presentations from the day.

The day was well attended, and representatives from the WPACs has many questions in regards to the Protocol and what it entails. It was made clear that the Protocol does not spell out any new roles for WPACs related to the proposed Cumulative Effects Management System and regional planning, and that the Protocol can be changed in the future to accommodate any such new realities. There were some concerns with the Partnership Protocol, and so it has been sent back to Alberta Environment for another review.

Attendees were asked to fill out an online survey after the forum,  and Alberta Environment has assured us we will be receiving copies of the notes taken during the group discussions. Information will be posted here as it comes in.

Alberta Environment made it clear that they intend to increase the communication between WPACs and the department, and forums such as this one may occur more frequently in the future.

Please feel free to send feedback on any of the items below.