This Water Management Framework is designed to protect the ecological integrity of the lower Athabasca River during oil sands development. It represents the work of Alberta Environment and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The Cumulative Environmental Management Association (CEMA) a multi-stakeholder group that includes environmental groups, First Nations, industry and regulators has also contributed to this framework. AE and FOC are taking a precautionary approach in managing the river and have divided water management objectives into two phases. This approach preserves the river over the short-term while allowing for innovation and leading research to help guide future management actions to safeguard the river.