Plan for water

It is essential to determine the feasibility of all water conservation, supply and storage options. Because the supply and quality of water is so important, demand is likely to increase, and supply may be challenged in the region under any scenario. Headwater and source water protection and the need to manage land use to sustain water production and water quality are critically important.

Respecting private land ownership

The Government of Alberta must be guided by the principle of respecting private property rights. To acknowledge this, regional planning identifies common outcomes for private and public lands and offers implementation tools for both.

Conservation and stewardship tools are critical to the success of future land-use planning in the region. It is imperative that the Government of Alberta develop an enhanced suite of conservation and stewardship tools (e.g., economic and market-based incentives, conservation easements, transferable development credits, mitigation banking, etc.). New tools, when developed, must be easily accessible, well understood and applicable.

The South Saskatchewan region has a history of multiple users sharing the landscape. The focus for planning should not be primarily on “if” but on “how” and under “what” conditions an activity can be allowed on the land base. Conservation and sustainable development can co-exist, and land-use planning needs to be based on triple bottom line principles (refers to government intention to sustain economic growth in balance with Albertans’ environmental and social goals) and the use of market-based conservation tools.

Land-use planning needs to progress to outcomes based on integrated local and regional planning that uses triple bottom line principles, incorporates multiple objectives and multiple stakeholders, and involves market-based conservation and stewardship tools. Consideration should be given to reducing planning overlaps and redundancies while respecting the rights of affected jurisdictions in a collaborative approach to land-use decisions.

The South Saskatchewan Regional Plan should lead other government initiatives to promote regulatory streamlining, harmonization and reduce levels of bureaucracy. Policies need to be integrated between departments and ministries. Regulations should be made more efficient by providing clear policy direction on key issues. Clear policy is also necessary for empowering local and provincial decision-making to achieve sustainable development outcomes.

First Nations’ land-use issues need to be dealt with in a clear, provincial government-led process.

The success of the region will be dependent on the economic opportunities available in the region. This plan would provide more certainty and clarity regarding constraints to development.