Buffalo Lake Management Team

Terms of Reference

1. Introduction

The Buffalo Lake Management Team (BLMT) was established by the Minister of Environment (the Department) in 1991 to provide advice on the construction, mitigation, and operation of the Parlby Creek-Buffalo Lake Water Management Project. The BLMT is a valuable source of input in identifying issues, options, and potential direction of department initiatives that would be supported by key stakeholders. The BLMT's input serves as a barometer of stakeholder opinion that will aid the Department in evaluating courses of action.

1.1 Purpose of Terms of Reference

This Terms of Reference is to serve as a framework for the BLMT, in terms of purpose of the Team, Department's expectations, and code of conduct.

1.2 Order-in-Council

The 1991 Order-in-Council establishing this BLMT outlines their purpose and activities. No changes to this Order-in-Council will be recommended to the Department, except to replace the list of members with a list of local interests to be represented, and to reflect the current fees and expenses schedule.

2. BLMT Role / Purpose

The Order-of-Council listed several activities on which the BLMT was to advise the Department, including:

As of April, 2001, construction of the project is essentially complete, except for minor works of Tail Creek, the outlet of the project. The identification of mitigation issues is largely done, however, construction of mitigation projects is only partially complete. The Team is at the stage where a refocusing of effort is required, that being the formalization of an operating plan.

2.2 BLMT Status

The BLMT meets regularly, about ten times a year. Of the nine members noted in the Order-in-Council, seven are still active and the representative the Department has been replaced, due to retirement.

3. Membership

BLMT membership will be comprised of representation from local interests and stakeholders. The team will have a maximum of ten members, with at least one member representing each of : municipalities; environment; recreation; agriculture. Each member will have a three-year (renewable) term. The Order-in-Council would be updated every three years, with membership recommended by the BLMT to the minister

Provincial government staff will not be members on the BLMT, to avoid any potential conflict of interest.

4. Committee Procedures

4.1 Confidentiality

Many issues brought to the attention of the BLMT may be preliminary in nature. The confidentiality of these issues and related information must be respected. No confidential documents, correspondence or information shall be distributed or published be BLMT members without express written consent from the Chair and the Department. The Chair, in consultation with the Department, will provide clarification and direction as to the documents that are to be treated as confidential.

4.2 Chair

On the first meeting after April 1 of every year, the BLMT will vote one of its members to serve as Chair. The Chair will be the sole spokesperson to the news media and the public-at-large on the activities of the BLMT.

4.3 Meeting Minutes

Minutes for every BLMT meeting will be recorded by the Secretary. These will be stored and archived by the Department.

4.4 Frequency of Meetings

The BLMT will meet as required, but no less than 4 times during a calendar year. Regular meetings will occur no more than 12 times during a calendar year. A quorum will consist of the Chair and at least 50% of the BLMT membership.

4.5 Sub-committees

The Chair may establish working sub-committees on any matter within the scope of the BLMT. The mandate of such sub-committees shall be as specified by the Chair. Sub-committee membership will be drawn from the BLMT membership. Sub-committees will become vacant with the retirement of the Chair. The new Chair will appoint members of the sub-committees.

4.6 Attendance Requirements

Each member is expected to attend at least 50% of all regular meetings in a calendar year. If a member does not attend three (3) consecutive regular meetings, the BLMT will decide on whether that member will continue as a member of the BLMT.

4.7 Annual Workplan

The BLMT will produce an annual workplan, identifying the priorities of the BLMT for the upcoming year. The BLMT will also produce an outline identifying potential BLMT activities for the subsequent three years, by January 31 of each year.

4.8 Annual Report

The BLMT will produce a summary report of the previous year's activities related to the BLMT and the Buffalo Lake project, by May 31 of each year.

5. Department Involvement

5.1 Liaison

A staff member of the Department will serve as the Department representative and liaise between the Department and the BLMT. This representative will not be a member of the BLMT, but is expected to attend every meeting.

5.2 Resource Staff

As the department representative and/or the BLMT deems necessary, provincial government experts will serve as resource staff as required.