Now Available: What Albertans Have to Say on Developing a Land-use Framework

Feature story posted on October 9, 2007

More than 3,000 Albertans shared their views on a variety of land-use management issues and challenges as part of the public input phase of the Land-use Framework development.

Between May 1 and June 15, 2007, a workbook survey was used to gather Albertans’ input in the following areas:

  • growth and resource management;
  • planning and decision-making;
  • conservation and stewardship;
  • monitoring and evaluation; and
  • vision, principles and outcomes.

A number of recurring themes emerged in the public responses. These include:

  • the need for a comprehensive provincial land-use planning and shared decision-making model to ensure the long-term sustainability of Alberta’s land base, air and water resources. Respondents felt this model should reflect a balanced approach to development and environmental sustainability;
  • the recognition that current Albertans have a responsibility to ensure future generations inherit a healthy, viable land base;
  • the desire for greater provincial leadership in the area of land-use planning; and
  • support for regional planning.

In the area environmental stewardship, several Albertans were of the view that:

  • land-use decision making should consider greater protection of ecosystems, biodiversity, wildlife habitats, watersheds and cumulative effects; and
  • rapid economic development and accompanying land-use activities have implications, not only for the land base but also for Alberta’s watersheds and air quality.

On conservation and stewardship:

  • respondents saw incentives and rewards as the most effective way to encourage private landowners to practice responsible stewardship.
  • On public lands, respondents were of the view that regulations and enforcement are the most effective way to promote responsible stewardship and that public education could play an important role in developing a land stewardship ethic among Albertans.

Public input will be considered along with feedback from stakeholders and Aboriginal peoples as the government develops the draft Land-use Framework. The goal is to have a draft framework early in the New Year.

To read the summary, please click here.