S Sask Land Use Framework Meetings

[canadagrey]

The government is running 16 public input meetings on the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan Public Information and Input Sessions Nov 30-Dec. 10. go to www.landuse.gov.ab.ca, click on South Sask. Then Consultation for the dates and locations in the SSR Basin area.

This is public input so just don't :derby racer: on the board attend and make your views known.

[pepper]

Thanks for posting this BRB. Here is an email letter I received on the same subject. The Calgary Session is on Monday Nov 30.

 

Dear Michelle,

 

Through AWA’s Wilderness and Wildlife Defenders program, we work to keep you up to date with opportunities to have a say in the decisions that are made directly affecting wilderness in the province. Included here are two opportunities to get involved in future land and watershed planning in southern Alberta.

 

The South Saskatchewan Regional Plan could have a huge effect on shaping future land management in southern Alberta for many years to come. Everything from production of clean water, to protected areas to industrial activity will be included in the plan. Opportunities for public input into the plan will be limited, and so it is important that Albertans take the opportunity to have a say whenever they can.

 

The only people in southern Alberta who won’t be affected by the Regional Plan are those who don’t use water in any way! Please consider attending one of the upcoming public meetings.

 

The Oldman Watershed Council is also holding a series of workshops to look at future watershed planning in the region.

 

– Nigel Douglas, Conservation Specialist.

 

 

SOUTH SASKATCHEWAN PUBLIC SESSIONS

 

THE ISSUE

 

As part of the Alberta government’s Land-Use Framework (LUF) process, Regional Plans are being drawn up for the seven regions of the province. The government-selected South Saskatchewan Regional Advisory Council (RAC) has been meeting for the past six months to provide its advice to the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan, and as part of this process, a series of Public Information and Input Sessions is being held in southern Alberta communities.

 

BACKGROUND

 

The government’s LUF process has acknowledged that past lack of planning has led to the numerous land management conflicts which persist throughout Alberta. We have tried to allow all activities to take place on the landscape, without managing their cumulative impacts, and it has failed. The LUF now recognizes that we need to do a better job of deciding what our priorities are. It reaffirms that water should be the number one priority in the South Saskatchewan Region: “Historically, watershed and recreation were deemed the priority uses of the Eastern Slopes. These priorities should be confirmed, and sooner rather than later.”

 

The South Saskatchewan Regional Plan does indeed have the potential to “set a new direction for how we live, work, enjoy and protect our land and natural heritage,” as the government news releases state. But it also has the potential to be derailed by those with a vested interest in maintain the status quo, until it becomes little more than business-as-usual. For this reason it is vital that Albertans take the opportunity to show that the LUF process must remain true to its rhetoric.

 

While public opinion has been asked for during the LUF process, the extent to which the expressed views of Albertans have actually been incorporated into the process has been limited. For example, in a 2007 public survey, 74.3% of respondents believed that “At present the balance between developing and using our land versus conservation of our land is too focused on economic development and growth.” AWA believes that it is important that the Regional Plan must reflect what Albertans actually want to see happen.

 

AWA has already provided a detailed report to the South Saskatchewan RAC, http://tinyurl.com/yzj6dy2 to outline its conservation recommendations. AWA's report is available online: Conservation Recommendations for the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan.

 

ACTION

 

The Public Information and Input Sessions start on November 30 and end on December 10, 2009.

The sessions run from 4 to 7 p.m. in each of the 16 locations listed below.

 

Monday November 30

Calgary - Glenmore Inn - West Glenmore Room - 2720 Glenmore Trail SE

Vulcan - Vulcan Legion Hall 202 -1st Avenue South

 

Tuesday December 1

Strathmore - Strathmore Travelodge - Heritage Ballroom - 350 Ridge Road

Claresholm - Claresholm Community Centre - 59 Av & 8 St W

 

Wednesday December 2

Cochrane - Cochrane RancheHouse - 101 RancheHouse Road

Okotoks - Holy Cross Lutheran Church - 20 Banister Gate

 

Thursday December 3

Airdrie - Airdrie Alliance Church - 1604 Summerfield Blvd SE

Canmore - Quality Resort Chateau - 1720 Bow Valley Trail

 

Monday December 7

Lethbridge - Eagles Hall - 631 13 St N

Brooks - Brooks Heritage Inn - 1217 2 Street West

 

Tuesday December 8

Fort Macleod - United Church Hall - 220 20 St

Medicine Hat - Coast Hotel - Cabernet Room - 3216 13th Ave SE

 

Wednesday December 9

Pincher Creek - Ramada Inn - 1132 Table Mountain St

Taber - Taber Legion Hall - 5205 48 Ave

 

Thursday December 10

Cardston - Remington Carriage Museum - 623 Main St

Milk River - Heritage Hall - 213 Main St N

 

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the LUF process so far, and concerns about the South Saskatchewan Plan.

 

http://www.albertawilderness.ca/

 

http://www.landuse.alberta.ca/RegionalPlan...an/Default.aspx

 

 

[canadagrey]

Has anyone attended any of these meetings?

[rehsifylf]

Has anyone attended any of these meetings?

If you didn't get to a meeting - there is an input form that you can complete at http://surveys.praxis.ca/ssrp/phase1/index...ie_testing=true . You'll need to be familiar with the SSRP to provide reasonable answers.

 

The plan is to have a draft report out by YE 2010 - and if it is like most regional plans, that is when the heavy debate will start as people start to realize just what is at stake and how this can affect THEM.