The Alberta government is streamlining its process for restoring watersheds.

The province is removing the requirement to have a temporary diversion licence as part of a riparian restoration project.

The government said it expects the change to cut red tape, keep plants alive and ensure that the time and money put into watershed restoration projects are not wasted.

“Freedom to water is about cutting through the clutter of bureaucracy so real work can happen,” provincial environment minister Rebecca Schulz said in a press release.

“This change stops the waste, ends the delays and lets communities focus on restoring Alberta’s rivers, creeks and lake banks — not filling out forms.”

Traditionally, a licence has been required in Alberta to water newly planted trees, shrubs, grasses and othe

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