Land Use Regional Planning in Alberta Collaborating with Stakeholders Trevor Lema, Land & Integrated Management Planner September 2018
Overview Why Regional Planning? An Integrated Perspective Integrated Resource Management System (IRMS) Land Use Framework Alberta Land Stewardship Act Regional Plans Land and Natural Resource Planning Hierarchy Integrated Planning Environmental Management Frameworks Landscape Management Planning Caribou Range Planning Recreation Planning on Public Lands Questions
Regional Planning
Why Regional Planning? Alberta is a growing province where industrial and municipal development, recreation, agricultural production and conservation are competing for the same landscape. We must make smart choices about how we grow and how we use our land so we can maintain all of our advantages abundant resources, jobs and a beautiful and diverse natural landscape. Regional planning provides direction and clarity needed to assist in making those smart decisions at all levels of government.
Regional Planning As compared to a projectby-project based approach, regional planning is a combined and coordinated resource management approach. Regional Plans consider the desired environmental, economic and social outcomes to achieve the priorities within each region.
Challenges and Opportunities Managing growth from competing land use pressures. Economic Managing for cumulative effects. Environmental Social Planning for uncertainty (i.e., climate change). Ensuring sustainability of land use for today and future generations. Incorporate Indigenous Peoples worldview and traditional knowledge in land use planning.
An Integrated Perspective
Integrated Resource Management System (IRMS) Means by which Alberta will achieve responsible resource development Includes four key functions: 1. Strategic Intent Function 2. Establishment of common policies and outcomes Provincial Mechanism Provincial Mandate, Legislation and Policies Land Use Framework Regional Plans 3. Providing policy assurance through the regulatory system Regulatory Enhancement and the Alberta Energy Regulator 4. Monitoring, assessing and reporting on the achievement of outcomes Alberta Environment and Parks, Monitoring and Science Division
Land-Use Framework (2008) Released as policy in 2008, and supported by Legislation in 2010 the Alberta Land Stewardship Act (ALSA). Government s approach for managing Alberta s land, air, water and biodiversity. Three core outcomes: A healthy economy Healthy ecosystems and environment People-friendly communities Commit to developing seven regional plans.
All About ALSA Proclaimed in October 2009, amendments made in May 2011; Requires regional plans be evaluated every five years, and; Reviewed at least once every 10 years to respond to changing circumstances.
Regional Plans Align provincial strategies and policies Determine specific trade-offs and determine appropriate land and natural resource management approaches. Effective 2012 Provide direction and context for other types of planning. Define the cumulative effects management approach, identify targets and thresholds (via Environmental Management Frameworks). Approved by Cabinet, thereby becoming government land-use policies. Effective 2014
Who s Involved in Regional Planning?
Regional Plan Development Process
Stage 1: Pre-Planning Stakeholder Consultation/Engagement Objective: Understand the current state Gather information and communicate situation. Define the vision, desired outcomes & priority areas of focus Analyze the current state and establish the strategic guidance for the region. Public consultation Complete face-to-face consultation and webfocused consultation to gather input and feedback on the strategic guidance. Meet with all stakeholders to understand their, opportunities, challenges and priorities for the region; prepare for RAC meeting.
Stage 2: Regional Advisory Council (RAC) Assess the options and provide recommendations to government. Public consultation Complete online survey to gather feedback on RAC s recommendations. Objective: Obtain RAC s feedback on the specific issues within the scope of RAC s consideration, as outlined in the terms of reference for developing the plan.
Stage 3: Completing the Plan Develop the draft plan, considering: - feedback from phase 1; - Indigenous, stakeholder & partner consultations; - RAC recommendations. Public consultation. Complete face-toface consultation and web-focused consultation to gather public feedback on the draft plan. Complete the plan, considering: - feedback from phase 1; - Indigenous, stakeholder & partner consultations; - RAC recommendations; Objective: Create a draft of the regional plan and obtain feedback on the draft plan from stakeholders. Obtain Cabinet approval.
Consultation and Engagement We host face to face consultations with each First Nation that has a reserve within the region or near the planning boundary; or are known to have traditional land uses within the region. This consultation includes meetings in the community with Chief and Council, elders, youth, staff and community members. We also host forums and workshops throughout the planning phases.
Land and Natural Resource Planning Hierarchy Provincial Regional Sub-Regional Operational Provincial Policy & Legislation Regional Plans Sub-Regional Plans Sectorial Operational Plans Regulatory Decisions (e.g., Project and Disposition Approvals) Alberta Land Stewardship Act Land Use Framework Environmental Management Frameworks (EMFs) Landscape Mgmt. Plan Caribou Range Plans Recreation Mgmt. Plans Strategic Intent Place-Based Rules & Decisions
Sub-Regional Integrated Planning
Environmental Management Frameworks (EMFs) Proactively manage cumulative effects. Provide information on the current state of the environment (ongoing monitoring). Evaluate, report, and communicate the results to the public.
Landscape Management Planning Sub-Regional Landscape Management Plan Primary intent: manage the extent and duration of land disturbance and development footprint; and achieve regional objectives and targets set out in the Regional Plans and EMFs. Forest Management Plan Guide the operational plan (10-year term) Ensure continued access to resources to support economic and social outcomes in a regional plan Guide future decision making and use of most effective tools, including integrated land management (ILM) tools Ex: SSRP Livingstone Porcupine Hills and Land Footprint Management Plan Implement strategies to reduce land disturbance and restore legacy footprint Share road networks and infrastructure on public lands Reduce environmental impacts through minimizing the extent and duration of land disturbance footprint
Caribou Range Plan Sub-Regional Draft Provincial Woodland Caribou Range Plan Linked to complex interactions among human disturbances, changing habitat, and predator-prey relationships Provincial approach for managing towards 65% undisturbed habitat Forest Management Plan Informed by the range plan(s) Implementing a pattern of aggregated harvest within caribou ranges will help create larger patches of intact caribou habitat over time. Monitoring and reporting to inform future range plan updates Managing the extent and duration of human disturbances footprint is key to caribou recovery
Recreation Planning on Public Lands Sub-Regional Recreation Management Plan Ensure that Albertans have access to outdoor recreation opportunities Minimize impacts to environmental values (i.e. designated trails and proper infrastructure) Recreational Opportunity Mapping (ROM) Identify areas suitable for sustainable recreation trails (soil conditions) Help inform road planning and identifying crossing locations in FMAs Collaboration between forest industry, local municipalities, and rec user groups to reuse or close end of life forestry access roads. Clearwater Trails Initiatives Consideration of rec and tourism values is a requirement set out by the Timber Harvest Planning and Operating Ground Rules
Key Takeaways Land Use Framework Regional Planning (e.g., LARP, SSRP) EMFs Sub-Regional Planning
Questions? Trevor Lema Land & Integrated Management Planner Planning Branch Alberta Environment and Parks trevor.lema@gov.ab.ca (780) 644-2150