Lesson 3: Making and Reviewing Regional Plans

The Making of Regional Plans

In Unit 5 of this course you learned that, under the Land-use Framework, the Alberta government has created seven land-use regions based on seven watershed regions within the province. For each of these regions, the Alberta Land Stewardship Act stipulates that a land-use plan will be developed. Throughout the development of each plan, there will be consultation with the public, stakeholders, and Aboriginal peoples.

In recognition of the unique resources, landscape, and priorities of each region, each plan will set out regional land-use objectives and provide decision-making guidelines pertinent to that particular region (example, recreational land-use might be a higher priority for forested lands than for agricultural lands).

For each region, the planning process will include the following:

• Each region will establish a Regional Advisory Council (RAC) consisting of members with expertise and experience in the region (example, professional foresters, forestry technologists, or biologists).
  
  
• The Regional Advisory Council will develop an "advice document" for the government on development of the regional plan.
  
  
• Alberta's Land-use Secretariat will oversee the development of each plan.
  
  

• The Alberta government will prepare the final regional plan influenced by Regional Advisory Council advice and consultations with all stakeholders.

Reviewing and Amending Regional Plans

In recognition of the ever-changing nature of the world around us, the regional plans are considered to be "living documents." They can be amended if and when necessary. Every five years, there will be a review to determine whether the plan is achieving what was intended. At least once every ten years, there will be a complete review of the regional plan to see whether it is still relevant and effective. Prior to approval of amendments, public consultation must again be done.