The two day workshop brought together some 29 experts from experts from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), the Province of Alberta, private industry, and academia to conduct a peer review of the Lower Athabasca Instream Flow Needs (IFN) Assessment and Water Management Framework (WMF) and to examine the scientific soundness and completeness of the scientific information and rationale that formed the basis for the IFN assessment and Phase 1 of the WMF. Secondary objectives were to review the provisions of the proposal for the assessment and management of risks associated with water withdrawals on scales expected under Phase 1 of the WMF; and to review the scientific information collected to date. In addition, the workshop participants were tasked with reviewing what further information would be necessary for robust reliable assessments and management of the risks (direct and cumulative) associated with water withdrawals of the magnitude expected under Phase 2 of the WMF and to evaluate the scientific recommendations put forward for consideration as preparations for Phase 2 of the WMF proceed.
Based on review of the documents and the presentations, the approaches and methodology used are based on current standards of practice and in the case of under-ice modeling are at the forefront of current practices. The participants concluded, with a high degree of confidence, that there is sufficient annual flow in the Athabasca River to meet the annual requirements for water diversion during Phase 1 and Phase 2, at least according to any development plan being considered. It is likely that the magnitude and schedule of water removals during Phase 1 presents a low risk of serious harm to aquatic ecosystems in the Athabasca River