Managing growth pressures. April 30, Albertans' input needed to develop Land-use Framework. Public sessions across the province kick off May 14

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1 Managing growth pressures Albertans' input needed to develop Land-use Framework Public sessions across the province kick off May 14 Edmonton... Albertans are invited to give their input on the future of land use in Alberta through provincewide public sessions during the last two weeks of May. The public sessions will seek Albertans' input on a vision, guiding principles, land-use issues of greatest concern, directions and outcomes. This will build on what the government has heard at stakeholder sessions. In launching the public phase of the Land-use Framework, Sustainable Resource Development Minister Ted Morton encouraged Albertans to become involved. "This is your province and your opportunity to help shape how Alberta grows over the next 100 years," said Morton. "We need to find a way to better balance all the competing demands on the land." The Land-use Framework will provide the context, overall direction and decision-making framework to govern and manage land use in the province. It will guide land-use decisions on all land, except federal such as national parks and Indian reserves. The framework is intended to meet Albertans' long-term social and economic goals based on good environmental management. A resource publication, Understanding Land Use in Alberta and the Land-use Framework Workbook are available to all Albertans at a number of locations around the province, including all MLA constituency offices, most municipal and provincial/regional government offices, as well as online. Albertans can check the website at or call toll free to find the nearest pick-up location. Albertans can participate by attending one of the public sessions or by completing a workbook questionnaire in person or online. Albertans' input will be used in the next stage of the framework development. The government's goal is to have a draft framework completed by the end of the year. Completion of the Land-use Framework is a priority outlined in Minister Morton's mandate and is also one of the key actions identified under Premier Stelmach's plan to manage growth pressures. Other government priorities are to govern with integrity and transparency, improve Albertans' quality of life, build a stronger Alberta and provide safe and secure communities. Attachments: Public information and input sessions on Land-use Framework in 15 locations across Alberta; Public sessions continue consultations on Land-use Framework; Land-use Framework Quick Facts. Media enquiries may be directed to:

2 Edmonton Backgrounder Public information and input sessions on Land-use Framework in 15 locations across Alberta Edmonton... Albertans are invited to contribute to the development of the Land-use Framework at public sessions in 15 locations across the province in May. The sessions will feature information displays on land use in Alberta. Government staff will be available to answer questions on the Land-use Framework process and land use. Participants will be given a package containing the resource book Understanding Land Use in Alberta and the Land-use Framework Workbook questionnaire to help them provide input. The dates and locations are listed below. Edson May 14, 2-9 p.m., Weyerhaeuser Room Edson Recreation Complex, 1 Golf Avenue Wainwright May 15, 2-9 p.m., Main Hall - Elks Hall st Avenue Peace River May 15, 2-9 p.m., Ballroom Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre, Street Lloydminster May 16, 2-9 p.m., Crown Ballroom Best Western Wayside Inn & Suites, Street Edmonton and Area May 16, 2-9 p.m., Trade Centre - Rooms A, B & C Mayfield Inn & Suites, Avenue, Edmonton May 17, 2-9 p.m., Royal B Ballroom Best Western Sherwood Hotel & Conference Centre, 2100 Premier Way, Sherwood Park St. Paul May 17, 2-9 p.m., Multi-purpose Room

3 St. Paul Recreation Centre, St. Paul Recreation & Exhibition Grounds (50th Avenue and 55th Street) Grande Prairie May 23, 2-9 p.m., Richmond Room 2nd floor - Quality Hotel & Conference Centre, Avenue Slave Lake May 23, 2-9 p.m., Large Ballroom (upstairs) Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre, 1200 Main Street South Fort McMurray May 24, 2-9 p.m., Balsam Room Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre, 530 MacKenzie Boulevard High Level May 25, 2-9 p.m., Banquet Hall Star Dust Motor Inn, Street Lethbridge May 28, 2-9 p.m., Birch and Cedar Ballrooms Lethbridge Lodge Hotel and Conference Centre, 320 Scenic Drive Medicine Hat May 29, 2-9 p.m., Saamis C & D Medicine Hat Lodge, 1051 Ross Glen Drive Southeast Hanna May 30, 2-9 p.m., Auditorium Hanna Community Centre, 503-4th Street West Calgary and Area May 30 & 31, 2-9 p.m., Trade Centre Radisson Hotel Calgary Airport, Avenue NE Red Deer May 31, 2-9 p.m., Monaco Board Room Capri Centre Hotel, Trade and Convention Centre, Avenue In addition to the public sessions, Albertans can provide input by completing the Land-use Framework Workbook questionnaire, available at a number of locations throughout the province, including MLA constituency offices, most municipal and provincial/regional government offices and online. Albertans can check the website at or call toll free to find the nearest pick-up location. The workbook can be completed in person or online. The deadline for submitting the workbook is June 15, 2007.

4 Media enquiries may be directed to: Edmonton Backgrounder Public sessions next step in Land-use Framework development Edmonton... The public information and input sessions on the development of the Land-use Framework continue, and build on, stakeholder consultations that began in the spring of Milestones to date include: recommendations for a potential vision and process to develop the framework (Ideas Group); identification of key issues (Focus Groups); review of key issues and challenges (Cross Sector Forum); and recommendations on possible elements for a land-use framework (Cross Sector Forum). The consultation process to date has included the following: May 2006: the Ideas Group A small group of Albertans were asked to provide advice on the process of developing a land-use framework. The group suggested a potential vision and related principles on land use, set out possible primary objectives for the framework, and identified some of the key challenges and questions that need to be addressed as it is developed. It called for a framework that provides a roadmap for decision-making, supports strong leadership, educates Albertans and promotes evidence-based decision-making. August to October 2006: Focus Group Sessions Building on advice from the Ideas Group, stakeholder focus groups were held at a number of locations across the province involving individuals from a variety of land-related sectors and organizations: agriculture, forestry, transportation, recreation users, oil and gas, mining, conservation and environmental groups, Aboriginal communities, municipal representatives and academics. Participants were asked to identify both the key issues that should be addressed by a land-use framework and the principles it should reflect. December 2006: Cross Sector Forum

5 The government held a cross-sector forum in Red Deer, bringing together individuals from a range of land-related sectors and organizations-many of whom had participated in the earlier focus groups. Participants were asked to review issues and challenges facing the province and the key elements that could be included in a land-use framework. They also identified potential outcomes, actions and solutions to the various issues and challenges. Each phase of the Land-use Framework consultation process adds to what was learned in the earlier stages. Reports from all of these sessions are posted under Reports on the website, Next Steps A workbook questionnaire has been developed based on the consultations to date. The first two sections of the workbook gather input on a land-use vision, issues and challenges. The third section gathers input on four main focus areas: growth and resource management, planning and decision-making processes, conservation and stewardship, and monitoring and evaluation. Two further sections ask for input on principles and outcomes. Public input will be used in the next stage of the framework development. During the next stage, the government will continue to work with stakeholders through the establishment of Stakeholder Working Groups. These groups will provide more detailed recommendations and options in the four main focus areas. The goal is to have a draft framework completed by the end of Media enquiries may be directed to: Edmonton Backgrounder Land-use Framework Quick Facts Growth Land In the last 25 years, Alberta's population has grown to 3.4 million from 2.3 million, an increase of nearly 50 per cent. Our province is growing at a faster rate than any other. More than 80 per cent of Alberta's population lives in urban areas. For nine of the last 10 years, our economy has grown at an average rate of 4.3 per cent a year-the fastest growth in Canada. In 2005, Alberta's gross domestic product was more than $218 billion in current dollars. Alberta has 164 million acres of space, of which 97 per cent is land.

6 The provincial government owns more than 60 per cent of the land. Private individuals, groups or organizations own just under 30 per cent. About 10 per cent is federal land, including national parks, national wildlife areas, Indian reserves and military reserves. The agriculture industry uses almost a third of the land, 52 million acres. Forests cover about 80 million acres. Most of this land is publicly owned. About one-third of Alberta's land is under forest management agreements with forestry companies. Provincial parks and protected areas cover four per cent of Alberta's land base, and national parks take up another eight per cent. Economic Highlights The energy industry employs one in every six Albertans. Energy resources accounted for about one-quarter of Alberta's gross domestic product and 70 per cent of the value of its exports in Energy revenues from non-renewable resources made up about one-third of the revenue collected by the province in Agriculture employed more than 79,000 people and generated $7.8 billion in farm-related revenue and $9.6 billion in food and beverage manufacturing revenue in Forestry supported more than 47,000 jobs and generated $11 billion in revenue in Tourism and recreation generates more than 103,000 person-years of employment and $5 billion in revenue annually. Environmental Highlights There are six natural regions in the province: the boreal forest, Canadian Shield, parkland, grassland, foothills and the Rocky Mountains. All six natural regions have a wealth of ecological values, including fish and wildlife and together, support more than 80,000 wild species. Alberta has seven major watersheds: Athabasca River, Beaver River, Hay River, Milk River, North Saskatchewan River, Peace/Slave River and South Saskatchewan River. Healthy, functioning watersheds can provide clean and abundant water resources to agricultural, municipal, industrial and recreational users, help maintain healthy crops and crop yields, support wildlife and regulate natural processes such as soil erosion and sedimentation. Social Highlights Tourism and recreation activities contribute to the quality of life in Alberta by providing opportunities for physical fitness, personal achievement, cultural exploration and a connection with the environment. The enjoyment and protection of historical resources contribute to Alberta's identity and provide a connection to our past. In addition, it allows Aboriginal people to practise their traditional cultural ways, which is central to their cultural identity. Current Land-use Management The provincial government regulates the planning and management of publicly owned lands based on the philosophy of integrated resource management. It has specific integrated resource plans and regional strategies for various areas of the province. Municipal governments regulate the planning and development of privately owned lands. The provincial government has regulatory responsibility for air and water quality, historical and natural resources, and designating lands for highway corridors. The Provincial Land Use Policies ( document provides broad direction to guide municipalities in their decisions. It deals with provincial and inter-municipal planning and cooperation and specific aspects of planning, such as land-use patterns, the

7 natural environment, resource conservation, transportation and residential development. Media enquiries may be directed to: Edmonton Alberta Government Home Ministries Listing Sustainable Resource Development Home Page News Releases Top of Page Send us your comments or questions Copyright(c); 2007 Government of Alberta Return to Government Home Page