The document summarizes regional land use planning in Alberta. It discusses the purpose of regional plans to define outcomes and plans for both public and private lands. It introduces the Alberta Land Stewardship Act which established regional planning. The Lower Athabasca Regional Plan is the first plan developed under this framework. It outlines conservation areas, recreation areas, management frameworks, ambient quality limits and triggers, and alignment of provincial and municipal plans.

1. The Land Use Framework - Regional Planning

2. Purpose of Regional Plans
Define regional outcomes (economic, environmental and
social) and a broad plan for land and natural resource use for
public and private lands
Align provincial strategies and policies at the regional level
Determine specific trade-offs and appropriate land and natural
resource management for specific landscapes within a region
Define the cumulative effects management approach for the
region and identify targets and thresholds

3. Alberta Land Stewardship Act
The Alberta Land Stewardship Act was proclaimed
to ensure that we have responsible, coordinated,
long-term planning in the province.
3

4. Alberta Land Stewardship Act
Proclaimed October 1, 2009
Amendment of 27 Provincial Acts
Lieutenant Governor in Council has authority to:
 Align planning, policy and decision making with that
direction
 Requires officials under other Acts to follow direction in
regional plans and implement under their legislation
 eg. provincial departments, municipalities, boards (eg.
ERCB, NRCB, MGB)
Amended May 2011: Re Confirm Protection of Property
Rights

5. The Lower Athabasca Regional plan
LARP is the first
regional plan to
be developed
under the Land-
use Framework.
Draft released
August 2011
5

6. The Canvas????

7. The Canvas!!!!!

8. Regional Plans Consultations Sequence
8

9. LARP structure
Strategic and Implementation Plan:
 Strategies and Actions that will be undertaken to
support achieving the Vision and Outcomes and
includes indicators to measure and evaluate
progress. (Policy Direction - must be considered
by decision makers but not binding)
Regulatory Details Plan:
 Enables the achieving the strategic direction and
strategies and actions. (Is binding on decision
makers)
9

10. Conservation areas
 Six per cent of region conserved
today – Wildland Parks.
 New conservations areas would
legislatively protect ~22 per cent or
two million hectares.
 Have minimal existing disturbance.
 Managed to achieve the long-term
conservation of biological diversity
and ecosystem processes.
10

11. Provincial recreation areas
 9 new provincial recreation areas to
be included in the provincial parks
system.
 Generally small parcels of land
surrounding lakes or rivers.
 Will help address growing demand
for recreational opportunities in the
region.
 Will allow for future growth in the
region and provide recreation
opportunities such as:
- campgrounds and boat launches;
- motorized staging areas and trails;
11
- private sector lodges and cabins.

12. Public land areas for
recreation and tourism
 Five areas chosen because of
their unique features or settings
for recreation and tourism
sectors.
 On a case-by-case basis,
minimize negative impacts to
recreation/tourism values
(e.g., features, recreation/tourism
leases and recreational settings).
 Up-front planning and design
could create better long-term
opportunities for future
recreation.
12

13. Management Frameworks
Management Frameworks
 Complete:
 Air Quality Management Framework for the Lower
Athabasca Region;
 Surface Water Quality Management Framework for Lower
Athabasca River.
 Approved approach with triggers and limits to
be developed:
 Groundwater Management Framework for the Lower
Athabasca Region.
 Approved for development:
 Updated Surface water quantity management framework
for the Lower Athabasca River by 2012;
 Biodiversity Management Framework and Land
Disturbance Plan by 2013 (green area).
13

14. Bending the Curve
Potential trend – no action
Ambient Concentrations
threshold
(limit)
trigger(s)
Potential trend – application
of strategic actions
target
Time
14

15. Concept of a Binding Management Framework in LARP
Levels
Condition Risk Management
Most sensitive Degradation of Management Plan
water use may no Natural Likely Effects Implemented
longer be protected Conditions
Ambient Water
Quality Limit
Investigation of
Early warning Shift Away Cause and Risk;
system from Natural Possible Effects Development of
Conditions Management Options
Ambient Water
Quality Trigger
Approvals
Natural Implemented;
No Effects All Water,
Conditions
Wastewater and
Aquatic Ecosystem
Policies Apply
15

22. Provincial and Municipal Alignment
 Once Regional Plan is approved:
 Provincial Government Departments must
review and align their local planning and
decision making within 2 years
 Within 5-years municipalities must review
and if required align their local plans
22

23.  Questions
Website:
http://www.landuse.alberta.ca