Meeting Albertans' expectations on land-use planning requires stronger accountability

Calgary, April 28, 2009 - A few critical additions, including mandatory public consultation and binding limits on cumulative impacts, are needed if proposed new provincial land-use planning legislation is to better manage development and its impacts on Alberta's landscapes and communities.

Bill 36, The Alberta Land Stewardship Act (ALSA), tabled yesterday in the provincial legislature, is a step toward a system of land-use planning that fulfills the promises of Alberta's Land-use Framework and meets the needs of Albertans.

"The government deserves credit for introducing land-use planning legislation to address the conflicts Alberta's landscape," says Joe Obad, Associate Director of Water Matters.

"Bill 36 takes strong steps towards integrated decision making," adds Obad, "but key amendments are required to build in greater accountability if Albertans are to be confident that consistent and effective planning will take place."

While Bill 36 refers to key tools for effective planning such as public participation and a requirement to set binding limits on cumulative impacts, these tools are discretionary, not mandatory.

"In public consultations, 60 percent of Albertans supported cumulative effects management and this requires setting and respecting environmental limits," notes Steve Kennett, Senior Policy Analyst with the Pembina Institute. "Albertans need to be assured of public participation and the limits on cumulative environmental impacts, so the legislation requires minor amendments to make these land-use planning tools requirements instead of options."

More significantly, Bill 36 does not include a requirement that interim measures be taken in "hot spots" to ensure that unacceptable impacts do not occur while regional planning is taking place.

"Interim measures help ensure that while planning is taking place the very values Albertans hope to safeguard are not compromised by a development rush to beat the new rules," says Obad.

"Many environmental groups have supported the Land-use Framework from the start. We encourage the government to use the legislative process to make the changes to ALSA to deliver on promises made to Albertans," says Obad. 

---

Media contact: Joe Obad, Associate Director, Water Matters. 403-585-5826.