Group highlights need to align water and land policies

The Land-Use Framework is being welcomed by organizations concerned about water resources. "Water and land are inherently connected. The security of our water for drinking, aquatic environmental health, and for industrial and commercial needs depend on how we manage our land use," said Danielle Droitsch, Executive Director of Water Matters.

Droitsch also highlighted the need to get started on implementation of the plan. "Now it's time to put the policy into action. The sooner we can get comprehensive Regional Plans developed the better."

"Success for this policy will depend on — above all else — effective public and stakeholder involvement but also government leadership." said Droitsch. "Albertans are looking to government to actively manage the growth. To date, ‘business as usual' has driven what is happening on the landscape which hasn't been successful."

Next steps for 2009:

• Legislation and political will are necessary to ensure plans will be established and to show the people of Alberta that the government is committed to better land-use management.
• Specific legislation is needed to ensure the contents of regional plans are retroactive on development permits and approvals granted during the development of the regional plans.
• Public consultation with stakeholders in each region should inform the desired land-use visions and outcomes AND inform what will be included in the regional plan for their respective region.