AmendedJune, 2002

FORT McMURRAY-ATHABASCA OIL SANDS

SUBREGIONAL INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN

Approved by Cabineton May 7, 1996

AmendedJune, 2002

1996Edmonton

Publication No: I/358ISBN: 0-86499-749-3

Copies of this report may be obtained from:

Alberta Environment and Alberta Sustainable Resource Development Information CenterMain Floor, 9920 - 108 StreetEdmonton, AlbertaCANADA T5K 2M4

Telephone: (780) 422-2079Fax: (780) 427-4407Email: env.infocent@gov.ab.ca

Copies of this report may be viewed at:

Alberta Government LibraryGreat West Life Site6th Floor, 9920 - 108 StreetEdmonton, AlbertaCANADA T5K 2M4

Telephone: (780) 427-5870Fax: (780) 422-0170Email: env.library@gov.ab.ca

i

ii

PREFACE

This planning document was prepared by government agencies and public consultants inrecognition of the need for improved management of Alberta’s lands and resources. Itapplies only to public lands in the Fort McMurray-Athabasca Oil Sands planning area, notto private or federal lands.

The plan presents the Government of Alberta’s resource management policy for publiclands and resources within the area. It is intended to be a guide for resource managers,industry and the public with responsibility or interests in the area, rather than a regulatorymechanism. Resource potentials and opportunities for development are identified with aview to assisting in the economic progress of Alberta. The plan is sufficiently flexible so thatall future proposals for land use and development may be considered. No legitimateproposals will be categorically rejected. Energy resource decisions are subject to theapplication of regulatory approval processes under the jurisdiction of the Minister ofEnergy. This plan may influence regulatory decisions, but will not result in the categoricalapproval or rejection of energy proposals.

The provincial government is committed to serving Albertans; should a proposal not be inkeeping with the provisions of the plan, staff will work with the proponent to explorealternative means for accommodating the proposal in a more appropriate location, eitherin this planning area or on other public lands. The rejection of any proposal will be doneonly in writing by the Minister of Environmental Protection or his designate.

A detailed outline for implementation will be provided for this subregional plan in order toidentify the necessary implementation actions and roles. This implementation outline willalso provide for the periodic review of the plan so that it may accommodate changingneeds and situations. Wherever possible, the private sector will be provided with theopportunity to be actively involved in the operational delivery of the plan.

Implementation is subject to the normal budgetary approval process. In establishing overallpriorities, opportunities in other planning areas and areas currently outside the planningprocess will be considered.

While the plan identifies resource potentials and opportunities, the realization of these mayrequire the dedication of major amounts of public funds. The plan will be used on theunderstanding that any actions required for implementation will only be undertaken asbudgetary approvals are given in the normal way. The private sector will be given the firstopportunity to provide any development required.

This plan has no legal status and is subject to revisions or review at the discretion of theMinister of Environmental Protection.

iii

iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. 11.1 Purpose of the Plan .......................................................................................... 11.2 Planning Process and Participants ................................................................... 11.3 Planning Area ................................................................................................... 21.4 Implications of Future Development .................................................................. 4

2.0 POLICY CONTEXT .......................................................................................... 62.1 Legislation and Policy Framework ..................................................................... 62.2 How to Use the Plan .......................................................................................... 7

3.0 BROAD RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DIRECTION ..................................... 103.1 Mineral and Surface Material Resources ......................................................... 103.2 Forest Resources ............................................................................................ 123.3 Settlement ....................................................................................................... 133.4 Access and Infrastructure ................................................................................. 143.5 Agriculture ....................................................................................................... 153.6 Recreation and Tourism .................................................................................. 163.7 Water Resources............................................................................................. 173.8 Fisheries ......................................................................................................... 183.9 Wildlife ............................................................................................................ 193.10 Ecological Resources...................................................................................... 213.11 Historical Resources ....................................................................................... 213.12 Population Health ............................................................................................ 22

4.0 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AREAS .......................................................... 224.1 Fort McMurray Fringe Resource Management Area......................................... 234.2 Athabasca-Clearwater Resource Management Area ....................................... 274.3 Gregoire Lake Resource Management Area ................................................... 344.4 Mildred-Kearl Lakes Resource Management Area .......................................... 364.5 Stony-Birch Resource Management Area ........................................................ 41

5.0 PLAN MANAGEMENT ................................................................................... 435.1 Recommended Implementation Tasks and Strategies ..................................... 435.2 Administering the Plan ..................................................................................... 45

REFERENCES ....................................................................................................... 47

v

GLOSSARY ............................................................................................................ 49

APPENDICES ........................................................................................................ 54

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Planning Area............................................................................................ 3Figure 2. Resource Management Areas .................................................................... 8Figure 3. Fort McMurray Fringe Resource Management Area ................................. 24

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Population growth in the planning area, 1961-1991 ..................................... 5Table 2. Resource Management Area Activity Matrix ................................................. 9

vi

1

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose of the Plan

The Fort McMurray-Athabasca Oil SandsSubregional Integrated Resource Plan provides acomprehensive, integrated approach to themanagement of public land and resources. Itprovides government direction and policyinformation for developing and assessing futureactions by provincial government agencies and theprivate sector.

This plan has the following purposes:

• to resolve issues and conflicts on public landand resources through the integration ofobjectives and by providing the guidelines toachieve these objectives;

• to provide agencies with a framework withinwhich to develop and implement their ownprograms;

• to promote a broader perspective of theinterdependence of all aspects of resource andland management in the planning area;

• to improve communication between the publicand the government; and

• to inform the public, government agencies andindustry about the objectives and activities ofagencies managing public land and resourcesin the planning area.

1.2 Planning Process and Participants

The Resource Planning Branch (now Strategicand Regional Support) Alberta EnvironmentalProtection coordinated input from provincialgovernment departments and agencies. Theseincluded:

• Alberta Environmental Protection• Land and Forest Service• Natural Resource Service• Environmental Regulatory Service• Corporate Management Service

• Alberta Energy

• Alberta Municipal Affairs• Alberta Economic Development and Tourism• Alberta Transportation and Utilities• Alberta Community Development• Alberta Energy and Utilities Board• Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural

Development

The City of Fort McMurray Planning Department,the Fort McKay Indian Band, and representativesfrom private industry also provided input. Specialinterest groups and the general public have alsocontributed to the preparation of this document.

The planning process for development ofsubregional integrated resource plans consists of aseries of interrelated steps. The steps aregenerally sequential; data gathering and analysissteps occur throughout the process. Flexibilityexists in the process so it is possible to return toprevious steps.

Preparation and approval of a terms of referencedocument occurs during the plan initiation step ofthe planning process. The terms of referencepresent a description of the planning area, thepurpose of the plan, a review of existing resourcemanagement policy direction, major resourcemanagement concerns and issues and a briefexplanation of the decision-making process. Theplanning team completed draft terms of referencein May 1987. On June 25, 1987, an open housewas held in Fort McMurray to obtain public inputon the draft terms of reference. Issues ofconcern to the public included:

• agricultural expansion;• recreation and tourism opportunities;• transportation linkages to other regions;• environmental impacts; and• mandates of local and provincial government

agencies.

Preparation of the terms of reference wasfollowed by the initiation of data collection andanalysis. The Resource Information Division ofAlberta Environmental Protection assisted theplanning team by preparing an integrated resourceinventory.

2

The resource management agencies collected andanalyzed data in the categories of present use,demand, potential and capability for a variety ofresources. This information was used in thedevelopment of resource management objectivesand guidelines and in the resolution of identifiedconflicts. During the development of the draftplan, informal discussions were held with somepublic interests in the planning area.

1.3 Planning Area

Geography

The Fort McMurray-Athabasca Oil Sandsplanning area (Figure 1) is located approximately385 km (239 mi.) northeast of Edmonton and 60km (37 mi.) west of the Alberta-Saskatchewanborder. It represents a largely remote landscapeof approximately 7163 km2 (2766 sq. mi.) andcontains Fort McMurray, an urban service area inthe Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.Highways 63 and 881 link this area with otherparts of the province. Lands outside of thejurisdiction of this plan include, Fort McMurray,the hamlets of Fort MacKay and Anzac, Nativereserves and Metis Settlements and private land.Approximately 98 percent of the planning area isprovincial public land.

Shaped by glacial and post-glacial activity, thislandscape comprises several undulating plainswith some upland areasCthe highest being theStony Mountain Upland south of Gregoire Lake.Significant natural features in the area include theAthabasca and Clearwater river systems.Slumping commonly occurs along the banks ofthese rivers. In higher, well drained upland areas,tree cover consists of white spruce, aspen andjack pine. Muskeg and wetlands contain blackspruce, willow, birch and sphagnum moss.

Resource Synopsis

The planning area includes one of Alberta’s mostsignificant mineral depositsCthe Athabasca OilSands. This deposit contains an estimated 720billion barrels of crude bitumen. When combinedwith the smaller oil sands deposits that exist inAlberta, the total crude oil reserves are estimatedto exceed those of the Middle East.

Forty-five percent of the planning area isunderlain by surface mineable oil sands. Fortyseven separate leases have been issued, and threeof these are currently being developedcommercially by the Syncrude and Suncor miningoperations. Most of the remaining portions of theplanning area (i.e., southern portion) are underlainby oil sands that are too deep to be surfacemineable. These reserves are only recoverableby using in-situ extraction techniques.

Sulphur and vanadium have been extracted asbyproducts of the oil sands mining operations.Salt and limestone, which have been producedperiodically, and other minerals such as naturalgas, conventional petroleum, titanium and gypsumhave moderate potential. Aggregate, peat andtopsoil resources are limited.

Through a forest management agreement (FMA),Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries has beengranted the authority to manage and harvestdeciduous and coniferous timber. Coniferoustimber quotas are committed to WeyerhaeuserCanada Ltd., Northland Forest Products Ltd andMillar Western. Some Miscellaneous Timber UseAreas are available for local residents and theforest industry.

The Athabasca River and several tributary riversand creeks are vital parts of the regionalecosystem. The Athabasca River is the principalsource of water for municipal and industrial uses.Fort McMurray and the Syncrude/Suncor oilsands operations are the largest water consumers.The area’s scenic rivers support a variety of fishand wildlife resources, they also offer recreationalcamping and fishing opportunities for localresidents and visitors. Gregoire Lake, whichadjoins a Natural Area and provincial park, offerssignificant recreational opportunities.

The river systems and Gregoire Lake providelimited fishing opportunities. These water bodiessupport a variety of species including walleye,lake whitefish, northern pike, burbot, suckers,yellow perch, goldeye and mountain whitefish.Wildlife species are generally limited in diversityand abundance. The northern boreal mixedwoodecosystem is characterized by low habitatcapabilities and low reproductive rates. The river

3

4

valleys, however, provide important winter rangefor deer, moose, black bear, wolverine, otherfurbearers and bird game. The fish and wildliferesources benefit trappers, aboriginal peoples andother local residents seeking opportunities forhunting, fishing, photography and viewing. Theseactivities also provide economic benefits to guides,outfitters, charter companies and tourist operatorswho use Fort McMurray as a staging area forbackcountry adventure touring.

Significant ecological resources have beenidentified in the planning area. Formallydesignated ecological resources include GregoireLake and La Saline (Saline Springs) NaturalAreas. The McClelland Lake wetland is a largewetland containing a rich patterned fen and anumber of rare plant species.

From an historical perspective, the Athabasca andClearwater rivers have played an important role inthe economic development of this area. TheBeaver Quarry archaeological site, located in theAthabasca River valley, exists as the bestexample of a prehistoric quarry/workshop innortheastern Alberta. Downstream, theBitumount Historic Site is the best example of apioneering project in the development andimprovement of hot water oil sands extraction.This process is still applied today. TheClearwater River, recently identified as acandidate for the Canadian Heritage RiversProgram, owes its historical significance to the furtrade.

Economy

Hunting, fishing, trapping, and logging have beentraditional economic activities in the planning area.Although oil sands extraction occurred as early as1906, it did not begin to dominate the socio-economic character of the planning area until 25years ago. Today, the mining industry directlyemploys at least 30 percent of the Fort McMurraylabour force.

This industry has also resulted in the developmentof numerous community services and extensiveinfrastructure. Fort McMurray, an urban servicearea in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

offers a wide range of financial, educational,transportation, retail and administrative services.

Future economic growth in the region will beclosely tied to the development of the Athabascaoil sands. Fort McMurray acts as a staging areafor tourists to experience the rugged backcountryof northeastern Alberta. Expansion of recreationand tourism-oriented services presents anopportunity for diversification.

The forest industry provides additionalemployment opportunities. New markets fortimber have recently contributed to a more diverselocal economy.

Population and Settlement Pattern

The population of the planning area has increasedsignificantly over the past 30 years (Table 1).The urban service area of Fort McMurraycomprises 98 percent of the planning area’spopulation. Fort McMurray’s population is young,averaging 26 years in age.

The remaining population resides in two long-established, aboriginal communities. Thecommunity of Fort MacKay is locatedapproximately 55 km (34 mi.) north of FortMcMurray along the Athabasca River. Anzacand the Gregoire Lake Reserve are situated nearGregoire Lake, approximately 40 km (25 mi.)southeast of Fort McMurray.

1.4 Implications of Future Development

Given current projections for development,increased pressure on public land and resourcesof the planning area will result. The planningteam therefore assessed the implications ofadditional large-scale resource development (e.g.,major oil sands expansion).

The assessment considered resourcedevelopment, the effect on population growth andimplications of development and growth.Assumptions included the type of developmentpressures and location. The projections and

5

Table 1. Population growth in the planning area, 1961-1991.

1961 1971 1976 1981 1986 1991

Fort McMurray 1188 6847 15424 31000 34949 34706Fort MacKay 187 207 169 267 250 n/aAnzac 143 114 138 165 231 n/aGregoire Lake Reserve n/a n/a 44 58 99 122

Total 1529 7168 15775 31490 35513 34706

trends were based on similar development activity,and the current economic climate was also takeninto account.

Based on this assessment, the plan recommendspolicies to address potential issues resulting fromanother major resource development. Shoulddevelopment proceed as projected, these policieswill assist in the management of public land andresources in the planning area.

Resource Development

Significant population growth in the planning areadepends on increased oil sands development. Thisincrease could involve expansion of the twoexisting facilities, construction of additional plants,or development of remote mines producingbitumen to feed a regional upgrader or to remotemarkets. The Suncor Canada Inc. plant, whichbecame operational in 1967, was followed, in1978, by the Syncrude Canada Ltd. plant. Bothplants are proceeding with plans to expand theiroperations. The Other Six Leases Operation(OSLO)* consortium prepared pre-applicationstudies for a commercial oil sands mining projectnear Kearl Lake. The project is currently on hold.

Population Growth and Pattern ofDevelopment

Fort McMurray has the service capacity for65 000 persons (Dabbs and Nichols 1987). Thiscapacity would serve the additional populationanticipated from future oil sands, forestry andother major developments (Appendix 1). Underthe present economic climate, it is assumed thatthe urban service area of Fort McMurray willcontinue to be the focus of community andinfrastructure development in the area. Alongwith regional economic expansion, smallersettlements (Anzac, Fort MacKay, and alongGregoire Lake and Fort McMurray IndianReserves) may continue to experience somefluctuating growth (Dabbs and Nichols 1987).

Implications of Development and Growth

Exploration, extraction and production ofresources will continue to be the major factors ineconomic growth and development, within andoutside the planning area. Regional developmentand its associated economic benefits will havespin-off effects in Fort McMurray, the adjacentfringe area, and on other resources situated inincreasingly accessible parts of the planning area.

Note: *OSLO is a consortium composed of Esso Resources Canada, Canadian Occidental Petroleum, Gulf Canada,Pan Canadian Petroleum, Petro-Canada and Alberta Oilsands Equity.

Source: Alberta Bureau of Statistics/Statistics Canada (Census of Canada).

Note: Figures, before 1991, do not include temporary, construction camp labour. Population change for theGregoire Lake Reserve in 1986 results, in part, from a boundary change.

6

In addition, the oil sands development willcontribute significantly to the provincial andnational economies.

Fort McMurray Fringe

Coinciding with oil sands development and thegrowth of Fort McMurray, demand for a mix ofland uses in the unsettled portions of the planningarea will intensify. Commercial, industrial,residential, institutional, agricultural andrecreational activities will increase at locationsnear Fort McMurray. These activities areimportant because they provide additionalemployment opportunities and services for thelocal population and surrounding region. Land useplanning in the fringe should consider theimplications of scattered development (e.g.,expensive servicing costs).

The fringe area will provide a land base forcommercial/industrial land uses requiring highwayfrontage and/or large land areas not alwaysavailable at a reasonable cost within the citylimits. The Highway 63 corridor, between FortMcMurray and the Syncrude/Suncor oil sandsoperations, may also become a focus forcommercial and industrial activities catering toresource development. Within the city limits,highway-oriented development will be addressedby the Highway 63 Area Structure Plan.

The demand for additional country residentialdevelopment from residents who prefer analternative to urban-living may increase.Communities similar to the Saprae Creek CountryResidential Subdivision may become morecommon in the development pattern of theplanning area.

Renewable Resource Development

The planning area supports renewable resources(e.g., forests, water, fish, wildlife, historical,ecological) and land uses (recreation, agriculture).However, the land’s ability to sustain theseresources will be influenced by large-scale,resource extraction activities in the planning area.The cumulative effects of incremental decisionscan result in the overall regional degradation ofrenewable resources.

Largely because of resource extraction activities,increased and improved industrial access willresult in increased recreation access. As existingrecreational facilities become congested,recreationists will seek new locations forbackcountry hiking, fishing, hunting, camping andday-use activities. The significantly youngpopulation residing in this planning area coulddemand more recreation opportunities. Suchdemand presently focuses on Gregoire Lake andthe few accessible, scenic river and streamlocations in the planning area. The Gregoire LakeArea Structure Plan (Alberta Municipal Affairs1993) addresses concerns raised aboutdevelopment around Gregoire Lake.

There is increasing recognition that economicdevelopment depends on the capability, potentialand limitations of the natural environment. Thisconsideration is gaining acceptance in regionaleconomic development plans. Public concern forenvironmental issues is increasing where resourcedevelopment is occurring, or is underconsideration. Opportunities for public input onspecific developments are available throughvarious mechanisms (e.g., forest managementplanning, environmental impact assessments,Natural Resources Conservation Board andEnergy and Utilities Board processes).

2.0 POLICY CONTEXT

2.1 Legislation and Policy Framework

Various provincial government agenciesadminister legislation and associated regulations tomanage provincial public land and resources.Government directives, such as Orders in Counciland ministerial orders, also affect resourcemanagement activities. This section highlightsthose most relevant to the planning area.

The Public Lands Act authorizes the Minister ofEnvironmental Protection to administer public landin Alberta. The allocation of public land occursthrough various mechanisms (e.g., licences,permits, leases). Provincial public land isadministered either as Green Area or White Area.All public land in the Fort McMurray planningarea is within the Green Area. The

7

Green Area was established by Order in Councilin 1948, to be managed primarily for forestproduction, watershed protection, recreation andother uses. The Forest Act provides for themanagement of the timber resource on provincialpublic land. This management includes timber orgrazing dispositions. The Green Area does notcontain lands available for settlement oragricultural development other than grazing.

General direction regarding outdoor recreation,wildlife resources, fisheries resources andregulatory aspects of fish and wildlifemanagement is provided by the Fish and WildlifePolicy for Alberta (1982). This policy calls for thepreparation of comprehensive 10-year fish andwildlife resource management plans. Waterresources in the planning area are administered byAlberta Environmental Protection. Mineral leasesand approval to construct oil sands projects areissued by Alberta Energy and the Alberta Energyand Utilities Board, respectively.

Local authorities, such as the RegionalMunicipality of Wood Buffalo are responsible forissuing development permits on public and privatelands under the authority of the MunicipalGovernment Act. Private users of public landmust satisfy the regulatory requirements of boththe province and the local authority. Therefore,coordination between the public and privateplanning systems is essential. Indian Reservesand Metis Settlements, administered by thefederal government, are not bound by either ofthese jurisdictions; however, their close ties toland and forests in this area are recognized.

Legislation and policies that apply directly to themanagement of land and resources in this planningarea are summarized in Appendix 2.

Integrated Resource Management andPlanning

The Alberta Government has applied thephilosophy of integrated resource management tobring about wise use and management of publicland and natural resources. This philosophyrecognizes that the management and use of oneresource may affect the management and use ofanother resource. Cooperation, coordination andconsultation are fundamental aspects of integratedresource management.

Integrated resource planning is a decision-makingprocess used to achieve integrated resourcemanagement. In this process, the resourceplanning initiatives of government agencies arecompared; these are subsequently confirmed ormodified to produce a product acceptable to allinvolved agencies. Public involvement in planningensures that public interests are considered. Anintegrated resource plan contains resourcemanagement objectives and a course of actionthat provides direction for field-level resourcemanagement decisions. Integrated resource plansapply to public land under the jurisdiction of theProvince of Alberta, not to municipal, federal orprivate land.

2.2 How to Use the Plan

To guide resource and land use management, theplanning area has been divided into five resourcemanagement areas (Figure 2). Each resourcemanagement area (RMA) has been identified onthe basis of a common landscape, its current landuse, and resource capability. The user of the planshould identify the RMA of interest, then refer tothe Resource Management Area Activity Matrix(Table 2). This matrix summarizes the generalcompatibility of an activity with the intent of theRMA. Where a land use activity is given a “P*”designation, the reader must refer to the specificRMA in the plan, to determine the “condition” orguideline that will apply. Such guidelines mayrange from a simple “flagging” of a concern, to amore substantial guideline that limits how orwhere the activity is conducted.

Section 3.0 includes a resource summary, and thebroad resource/land use objectives and guidelinesthat apply to the planning area. A resourcemanagement objective describes a condition orstate for a resource or land use that can beachieved through a management action. Aresource management guideline describes amanagement action or a condition of resource usethat contributes to achievement of the resourcemanagement objectives.

Section 4.0 provides more specific objectives andguidelines that integrate specific characteristicsand principal management intents of each RMA.Each RMA subsection provides a description of

8

9

10

key resources, land uses, special features andcharacteristics that give the RMA its distinctivequality.

Section 5.0 summarizes recommendedimplementation tasks and strategies and providesinformation regarding plan management. The planmanagement section includes a description ofmechanisms to implement, review and amend thisplan.

3.0 BROAD RESOURCE MANAGEMENTDIRECTION

The following intents, objectives and guidelinesaddress current resource management issues.The resource management objectives andguidelines consider existing uses, resourcecapabilities and opportunities.

Primary Plan Intents:

• To achieve the orderly, economic and efficientexploration and development of naturalresources, and the use of land in a mannercompatible with the environmental and socialconsiderations of the planning area.

• To conserve land and natural resourcesrequired to meet the local and regionalenvironmental and social needs in the planningarea.

3.1 Mineral and Surface Material Resources

The planning area includes the most significant oilsands depositCthe Wabiscaw McMurray deposit.As the largest of the fifteen oil sands deposits inthe province, it contains an estimated 890 billionbarrels of crude bitumen (evaluated in-place)reserves. With conventional crude oil reservesdeclining, synthetic crude oil (from oil sandsreserves) will become increasingly important toAlberta’s total crude oil production.

Since 1967, the production of synthetic crude oilfrom oil sands has increased from less than fivepercent of Alberta’s total oil production to 18

percent in 1994. Synthetic crude oil and bitumenproduction now account for 16 percent of totalCanadian oil production. The economic benefitsof mining Alberta’s oil sands will continue to playan important role in further development of theplanning area and the provincial economy.

The Wabiscaw-McMurray deposit covers an areaof 4.5 x 106 hectares and is overlain byoverburden varying in thickness from zero to 120metres. The Surface Mineable Area (SMA) isdefined as that part of the deposit where the totaloverburden and top reject generally do not exceed75 metres and is therefore considered economicto develop by surface mining techniques. TheSMA covers approximately seven percent of thetotal deposit. Surface mineable oil sands underlie45 percent of the planning area. The remainingportion of the planning area is underlain by oilsands recoverable only by in situ technology.Ninety percent of the surface mineable oil sands,in the planning area is leased through 47 separateoil sands leases. Two large commercial surfacemining operations, Syncrude Canada Ltd. andSuncor Incorporated, recover bitumen from theAthabasca deposit. In 1992, total cumulativeproduction of synthetic crude oil from the twoplants passed the one billion barrel mark.

Evaluation of the oil sands began in the early1900s at the Bitumount site. Several experimentaloil sands projects in the planning area are testingnew mining and in situ recovery techniques. Oilsands extraction from deeper deposits hasbecome increasingly feasible using in siturecovery techniques. This method of bitumenrecovery is being evaluated, outside the surfacemineable area, in the southern portion of theplanning area. An experimental project, located50 km northwest of Fort McMurray, known as theUnderground Test Facility for the Mine AssistedIn Situ Project (operated by Alberta Oil SandsTechnology and Research Authority orAOSTRA), has been in operation for severalyears. This project is testing a process forrecovery of bitumen from oil sands too deep forsurface mining and too shallow for conventional insitu operations. Over the years, other in situexperimental projects have included AmocoCanada and Pan American PetroleumCorporation’s Gregoire Lake project, the Husky

11

project at Kearl Lake and Petro Canada’sprojects near the Hangingstone River, StonyMountain and Mildred Lake.

In association with bitumen recovery, sulphur andvanadium have been extracted to maximizerecovery of minerals from the oil sands formation.These mineral resources, along with natural gas,conventional petroleum, titanium and gypsum,have moderate potential in the planning area. Saltand limestone have been produced or quarriedperiodically. The potential for uranium, gold andother metallic minerals is currently unknown;however, gold has recently become an attractiveexploration target. Exploration permits cover alarge area around Fort MacKay and extensivefield programs have been conducted to assess thegold potential.

The limited supply of aggregate resources in theplanning area is a constraint on the construction ofbuildings and infrastructure. An inadequate localsupply could result in increased costs for housing,for road construction and maintenance. Haulingcosts account for most of the expense of sand,gravel or crushed stone.

Two other resources available in limited quantitiesare peat and topsoil. They support local marketgardening and landscaping activities. Whereverthese resources are identified, efforts should bemade to ensure they are used efficiently.

Broad Objectives:

1. To provide opportunities for industry toevaluate and develop mineral resources whereproven reserves or productive formationsexist.

2. To provide opportunities for the orderlyexploration and development of mineralresources in previously unexplored areas orformations.

3. To encourage development of the surfacemineable and in situ oil sands reserves in theAthabasca Oil Sands deposit.

4. To encourage development and use of new oilsands, mineral recovery and reclamation

techniques that are more efficient andeconomical, and to reduce the impact on theenvironment and other resources.

5. To conserve surface material resources andprovide opportunities for their orderlyexploration and development.

6. To manage the limited supplies of sand, graveland topsoil, so as to ensure availability, atreasonable cost, for infrastructure andlandscaping activities in the area.

Broad Guidelines:

1. Mineral exploration and development willoccur in a manner that minimizes impacts onthe environment and other resource values.

2. Mineral exploration and development isgenerally permitted throughout the planningarea, subject to current regulatory review andapproval processes (e.g., provincialGeophysical Guidelines) and the directionestablished in this plan. Approvals already inplace for minerals projects will not be alteredas a result of this plan.

3. Surface disturbances resulting from mineralexploration and development will beprogressively reclaimed. Sites will bereclaimed to a level of capability equivalent tothe pre-disturbance level, optimizing the valuesof watershed, timber, wildlife, fish, recreationor other resources.

Alternative reclamation approaches may beconsidered (e.g., reclamation of borrow pits orcooling ponds to waterfowl nesting or stockedfishing sites). See the LandscapeReclamation Strategy in Subsection 4.4 forsuggestions regarding site-specificreclamation.

4. The location of aggregate deposits (i.e., sandand gravel), discovered during exploration ordevelopment activity, must be reported toAlberta Land and Forest Service. Aggregateresources not used during mineraldevelopment (e.g., industrial roadconstruction) will be stockpiled.

12

3.2 Forest Resources

Portions of forest management units A2, A3, A5and A7 (Appendix 3) provide a coniferous annualallowable cut of 458 500 cubic metres and adeciduous annual allowable cut of 488 000 cubicmetres. Harvest levels are essential for sustainingthe economic health and vitality of the forestindustry in the region.

Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries (Al-Pac) hasentered into a forest management agreement(FMA) with the province. This agreement givesthem the rights to deciduous and coniferous timberin the planning area. Coniferous timber is alsocommitted through timber quotas toWeyerhaeuser Canada Ltd. (FMUs A2 and A3),and Northland Forest Products Ltd. (FMUs A5and A7). Miscellaneous Timber Use Areas havealso been established for local residents and theforest industry.

As a result of fires, an age-class imbalance existsin many of the forest management units located inthe planning area. Recent large-scale fires andresource development activity has resulted in anabundance of young age-class timber. Therefore,the amount of timber available for harvesting overthe short term has been reduced. Reforestationon reclaimed areas and intensive forestmanagement on other forested lands will occur.This management will increase productivity, andoffset future loss of the forest land base to otherdevelopment activities. Timber harvesting will becoordinated with such activity to ensure optimalwood use.

Protection of the forest involves the preservationof all ecosystems in and beyond the planning area.Wildlife, fish, vegetation and water quality allbenefit, not to mention the importance of theforest for its commercial and aesthetic values.

The proximity of forested areas to FortMcMurray, and the desire of citizens to live nearthe natural environment (e.g., Saprae Creek)contribute to an increased potential for wildfire.Fire management activities include prevention,detection and suppression. The Alberta Land andForest Service endeavours to implement efficient

fire management programs that meet and can beintegrated with all land and resource managementobjectives. Programs are designed to beresponsive to site conditions and the expected fireoccurrence and behaviour.

Under normal conditions the effects of insect anddisease infestation should be less dramatic than arapidly changing event such as a fire. Currentlyno known epidemic insect populations or diseasesexist in the planning area. However, endemicpopulations of insects and disease andoccurrences of mistletoe infestations are prevalentin the northern portions of the planning area.Alberta Land and Forest Service continues tomonitor these situations. Control measures areimplemented that prevent or reduce the risk to thehealth of the forests.

Broad Objectives (Commercial Timber):

1. To maintain sustainable levels of annualallowable cut to meet timber commitmentsincluding the future requirements of quotaholders, local timber operators, local residentsand FMA holders.

2. To promote the coordination of timber harvestplanning in conjunction with other surfacedisturbances.

3. To ensure the forest capability on reclaimedland is at least equivalent to that which existedbefore the disturbance, yet to recognize otherresource needs.

4. To promote intensive forest management forimproved productivity of the land base andimproved quality of wood.

5. To increase overall awareness of the potentialof the timber resource for contributing toeconomic expansion and diversification.

6. To ensure that timber harvesting is conductedin a manner that retains the visual quality ofthe area.

13

Broad Guidelines:

1. Progressive and effective harvesting andreforestation methods will be practised inaccordance with the Forests Act, TimberManagement Regulations, Timber HarvestPlanning and Operating Ground Rules andestablished policies.

2. Timber salvage cutting will occur whereverpossible, before any development activity, or inthe event of fire, insect or disease damage.Alberta Land and Forest Service must beinvolved in matters concerning the orderlyremoval and salvage of timber, as per theregulations under the Forests Act.

3. Areas intended for intensive forestmanagement, future timber development,timber harvesting or miscellaneous timber useby local residents and the forest industry willbe identified by Alberta Land and ForestService, in accordance with approved forestmanagement plans.

4. Public awareness will be promoted throughforest information sessions, demonstrationforests or other similar programs andinitiatives. An effective public involvementprocess will be part of the development of allforest management plans.

Broad Objectives (Forest Protection):

1. To protect the resources and values offorested areas from damage and destructionby wildfire, insects, disease or other causes.This protection will minimize negativeeconomic or social impacts on the planningarea, as well as maintain public safety.

2. To minimize the risk of wildfire resulting fromresource and land use development activities.

Broad Guidelines:

1. Land-use related programs, projects anddevelopments should be designed in a mannerthat minimizes the risk of wildfire. AlbertaLand and Forest Service will be consulted aspart of the existing referral process; thereby

ensuring that fire management programs areeffectively applied and administered at theearly stages of developments.

Consultative services concerning forestprotection measures should also be madeavailable to the Regional Municipality of WoodBuffalo by Alberta Land and Forest Service.Such measures might include the following:location of country residential subdivision sites,building orientation/location, use of fire-resistant building materials, adequate access toand from sites, reduction of combustible fuelsand sufficient water sources for firesuppression purposes.

2. Timber stands will be monitored for insect,disease and other environmental disorders.Appropriate management measures will beapplied as required.

3.3 Settlement

Fort McMurray has the service capacity toaccommodate approximately 65 000 persons. Inthe long-term, Fort McMurray and othersettlements (e.g., Fort MacKay, Anzac) mayrequire room for expansion. Severe constraints todevelopment exist in the area. Unsuitable soils,unstable slopes and the potential for floodingcombine to make much of the planning areaundesirable for buildings and other structures.The few sites that have potential for settlementare interspersed with poorly drained or very steepland. Furthermore, potential settlement areas mayalso be suitable for activities such as resourcedevelopment, recreation and agriculture.

Future residential development is limited toregistered subdivisions developed under anapproved Area Structure Plan. In 1982, thePublic Lands Division made land at Saprae Creekavailable in response to the demand for countryresidential development. It is anticipated that thisdemand will continue to increase.

Although some secondary industrial developmentis directly related to natural resources, otherindustrial activities provide commercial servicesessential to a developing area. These services

14

include warehousing, storage, manufacturing andequipment repair. Few industries have beenestablished outside of Fort McMurray, due to thelack of municipal infrastructure (sewer and waterservices). As development activity increases,demand for municipal services will increase toaccommodate commercial and industrial activitiesthat require accessible and large land areasoutside the urban service area.

Broad Objectives:

1. To work with local authorities ensuring thatsuitable lands near Fort McMurray and otherexisting settlements remain available for futureexpansion requirements.

2. To ensure that future outlying residential,industrial and commercial development issituated in a manner that minimizes majormunicipal servicing costs and/or reducesconflicts with adjacent land uses.

3. To ensure compatibility with the policies of theI.D. 18 - North Land Use Order #2 as well asany other statutory plans and bylawsadministered under the Municipal GovernmentAct.

Broad Guidelines:

1. Urban growth will continue to be concentratedin existing communities, with emphasis on theurban service area of Fort McMurray.

Where provincial public land becomestransferred to another jurisdiction (e.g.,municipal, federal), the policies in this planwould no longer apply.

2. Country residential development will continueto be accommodated in the Saprae CreekCountry Residential Subdivision until 80percent of the lots are sold. Thereafter,additional development of this nature, includingcottages, may be approved in the Stony-BirchResource Management Area (Section 4.5) aspart of a subdivision plan under the authorityof the I.D. 18 - North Land Use Order No. 2and the Municipal Government Act.

Outside of urban areas, residencesaccompanying other land use/resourceactivities will not be permitted except whereprovision is made under the authority ofAlberta Environmental Protection and theRegional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.

3. Secondary industry will be encouraged tolocate in established industrial areas (e.g.,Lynton Industrial Park at NE 22, Twp. 88,Rge. 8, W4M) or within settled areas such asFort McMurray, Fort MacKay and Anzac.Alternatively, industrial activity should beconcentrated (e.g., in planned industrial parks)to facilitate the efficient provision of roads andother municipal services. Secondary industrialactivity is defined as industrial uses that areclearly and directly related to and necessaryfor the operations of a resource-basedindustry. Such development must becompatible with the policies outlined in eitherthe I.D. 18 - North Land Use Order No. 2, orany Area Structure Plans that have beenapproved under the authority of the MunicipalGovernment Act.

4. Commercial development is encouraged withinexisting settlements. Otherwise, suchdevelopments shall be generally limited tolocations along primary or secondaryhighways, provided they adhere to the policiesprescribed by the Public HighwaysDevelopment Act, the current I.D. 18 - NorthLand Use Order No.2 and any Area StructurePlans approved under the MunicipalGovernment Act.

3.4 Access and Infrastructure

A major consequence of resource development isthe need to transport people, materials andenergy. Development of the oil sands and theresulting growth of Fort McMurray havegenerated, and at the same time been facilitatedby a transportation system including an airport,Highways 63, 69 and 881, a freight-only railway,and pipelines and transmission lines. A networkof industrial, all-weather and winter roads makeportions of the planning area accessible to thegeneral public, and resource users.

15

Resource development requires provision ofinfrastructure to continue. This infrastructure alsoenhances Fort McMurray’s role as a regionalcentre for northeastern Alberta. Limitedtransportation linkages to this area have hinderedthe expansion of other economic activities. Forexample, recreation and tourism development islimited because lakes in the vicinity of FortChipewyan are difficult to reach by road.Highway 63, the main road connection with therest of the province, is currently being widened.This upgrading may encourage increased travelinto the planning area.

New or improved access into wildland areas canadversely affect wildlife and fish populations, thequality of hunting, fishing and other outdoorrecreational activities. However, increasedaccess provides opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Broad Objectives:

1. To ensure that when resource development inan area takes place, due consideration is givento provincial primary highway planning.Specific information should be obtained fromAlberta Transportation and Utilities, PlanningBranch

2. To minimize adverse effects of resourcedevelopment on the various resources andcommunities and to minimize cost andduplication of effort.

3. To minimize adverse effects of infrastructuredevelopment while at the same time promotinggrowth and prosperity in a region.

4. To work with local authorities to ensure thatsecondary highways and local roads aredeveloped to meet regional needs.

Broad Guidelines:

1. Linear development projects (e.g., roadways,railways, transmission lines and pipelines) willbe encouraged to use existing (e.g., AlbertaOil Sands Pipeline Corridor) or planned (e.g.,Athabasca Oil Sands Multiple Use Corridor)access routes or corridors to minimize

duplication of effort and expense, and alsominimize impact on resources. Access will bedeveloped and reclaimed in a manner thatconsiders environmental concerns as well aseconomically efficient options.

Wherever possible, linear development will notoccur parallel to rivers within the valleys orwithin 100 m of the top of the valley breaks.This restriction will help to minimize erosion,slope instability and disturbance of wildlifehabitat and visual aesthetics.

2. Public access to recreation opportunities, mostnotably to the major rivers and lakes, willremain a priority.

3. Off-highway vehicle use (e.g., summer/wintermotorized recreation) will be restricted asrequired on areas of industrial activity,reclamation sites and environmentally sensitiveareas (e.g., steep slopes).

3.5 Agriculture

Low-quality soils and unfavourable climaticconditions limit the agricultural opportunities.Favourable microclimates provide some small-scale market gardening opportunities in theClearwater River valley. Currently, there is littledemand for cattle grazing; some horse grazingassociated with recreational use has taken place.Agricultural developments are not expected to bemajor factors contributing to the economicdiversification of the planning area.

Broad Objective:

1. To manage the limited agricultural land base tomeet the local demand.

Broad Guideline:

1. Agricultural activity will be limited, generally,to the Fort McMurray Fringe RMA andreclaimed areas as identified in the LandscapeReclamation Strategy.

16

3.6 Recreation and Tourism

The tourism industry presents opportunities fordiversifying the local economy. The urban servicecentre of Fort McMurray is a principal attractionfor visitors, owing to its strong association with theoil sands industry (e.g., Oil Sands InterpretiveCentre). Fort McMurray serves as a staging areaand service centre for tourists who come toexperience the backcountry of northern Alberta(e.g., Wood Buffalo National Park, LakeAthabasca and the Athabasca Delta.

Fly-in hunting and fishing opportunities may havelimited development potential because of theshortage of good habitat and the low reproductiverates of wildlife and fish species. The area haspotential as a base for river touring, ecotourismand tours based on wildland adventure themes. Anumber of commercial guides based in FortMcMurray rely on established clientele, mainlyfrom the United States. The potential exists toattract tourists from overseas.

Locally, the most popular forms of recreation arerandom and extensive recreational activities (e.g.,fishing, hunting, horseback riding, boating, OHVs).These activities occur mainly in or adjacent to theAthabasca and Clearwater river valleys andlarger lakes (e.g., Gregoire Lake, Maqua Lake).In addition to recreation facilities in FortMcMurray, others include Alberta Land andForest Service campgrounds at Maqua Lake andGrayling Creek, Alberta Natural ResourceService road access campground along theHangingstone River, the Gregoire Lake ProvincialPark and a privately managed campsite at theGregoire Lake Indian Reserve. These facilitiesare not used to capacity currently.

Several sites of significant ecological value(Gregoire Lake and La Saline Springs NaturalAreas) and historical value (Bitumount HistoricSite) have potential for extensive recreational andtourism experiences.

Broad Objectives:

1. To manage and protect areas with significantrecreation and tourism capability.

2. To promote private sector development of

wilderness recreation and tourismopportunities, with emphasis on wildlandadventure experiences (e.g., hunting, fishing,river touring, trapline tours, photography andwildlife viewing).

3. To promote tourism opportunities related tocurrent and historical oil sands extraction.

4. To promote a range of appropriate extensiverecreational and tourism opportunities focusingon the lakes and rivers, but within thebiological and physical capability of theresources.

5. To encourage the provision of tourism facilitiesand services required to meet demands forleisure- and business-related tourismopportunities.

6. To maintain and expand, where appropriate,government or privately provided recreation-and tourism-related facilities such ascampsites, day-use sites, viewpoints and boatlaunches.

Broad Guidelines:

1. The private sector and non profit organizationswill be encouraged to take an active role inidentifying and developing recreation andtourism opportunities. Assistance with respectto the provision of data, site selection, businesscounselling and liaison with other governmentagencies will be provided by AlbertaEconomic Development and Tourism. Similarservice will be extended to all communitiesand municipalities that wish to position theirtourism products.

2. Proponents of recreation and tourism activitiesare expected to demonstrate project feasibilitybefore approval is granted. For developmentsthat require fishing to support their businessplan, consideration should be given to ensuringthat sufficient fish stocks exist to sustain theproposed use. Private development should,wherever possible, complement existing publicrecreation programs.

17

For developments situated along or nearshorelines, fish habitat losses shall be replacednearby (see Section 3.8) and the amount ofdisturbed shoreline shall be limited in extent.

3. Management of random camping activity willbe determined on the basis of ongoing sitemonitoring. Should impacts resulting from thisactivity exceed acceptable levels sitehardening, closure and rehabilitation, orrelocation of the activity to other identifiedsites will be considered.

4. Private recreation and tourism proposalsrequiring the leasing of public land will bereviewed through the Alberta Tourism andRecreation Leasing Program. This processensures the proposals meet with provincialgovernment policy and site-specificrequirements (including environmentalprotection).

3.7 Water Resources

The landscape is dominated by the AthabascaRiver channel and its tributaries. The AthabascaRiver provides water for municipal and industrialuses. Currently, Fort McMurray, Syncrude andSuncor Inc. are the largest municipal andindustrial users of water.

In recent years, northern Alberta experienced asurge of development, primarily in the forestindustry. In particular, several new pulp millshave been approved and/or constructed in thePeace and Athabasca river basins. Publicawareness regarding the cumulativeenvironmental effects of these and otherdevelopments has increased. Local residents andinterest groups have voiced their concerns togovernment and review panels.

In July 1990, the Federal Government and Albertaannounced a joint study in the Peace, Athabascaand Slave river basins. The objectives ofNorthern River Basins Study are:

• To provide a scientifically sound informationbase for planning and management of thewater and aquatic environment of the studyarea so as to enable its long-term protection,improvement and wise use;

• To collect and interpret data and developappropriate models related to hydrology/hydraulics, water quality, fish and fish habitat,riparian vegetation/wildlife and use of aquaticresources for use in predicting and assessingcumulative effects of development; and

• To ensure that technical studies undertaken inthe basins are conducted in an open andcooperative manner and that their purpose,progress and results are reported regularly tothe public.

The Athabasca River supports many wildlife andfish species. It also offers scenic beauty andaccess to an extensive system of camping andfishing sites. Upstream from Fort McMurray,several reaches of the river offer white waterrapids, a challenge to more experienced canoeists.

During the fur trading period, the Athabasca andthe Clearwater rivers served as the primarytransportation corridors in the region. This traderoute influenced the establishment of FortMcMurray at its present site. Although volumehas declined, commercial freight is still transportedby river barge from Waterways (lower FortMcMurray), north to Lake Athabasca. Themaintenance of the river channel by dredging andthe use of navigation markers enhances the safetyof the river for pleasure craft as well.

With the exception of Gregoire Lake, lakes in theplanning area do not offer significant opportunitiesfor intensive recreation development. Kearl andMcClelland lakes (and associated wetlands) haveminimal opportunities because of their shallowdepth.

Broad Objectives:

1. To manage the water resources on a multi-purpose basis to help achieve the overalleconomic, environmental and social objectivesof the province.

2. To maintain stream flows and protect waterquality and quantity for short- and long-termrequirements for human needs, municipal,agricultural and industrial purposes, and forinstream uses including fisheries, wildlife andrecreation.

18

3. To minimize the impact of development onwater resources (quantity and quality).

4. To minimize the hazards and potential damagefrom flood events, with an emphasis on theAthabasca and Clearwater rivers floodplainareas in the urban service area of FortMcMurray.

Broad Guidelines:

1. Water resources will be managed on adrainage-basin basis reflecting local, regionaland provincial needs and priorities.

2. The public will be encouraged to participate inwater management planning programs anddecision making efforts in a meaningful way.

3. Water quantity and water quality will bemanaged together.

4. There will continue to be consultation betweenprovincial agencies to ensure water resourcesand other environmental matters are given fullconsideration in evaluating community watersupply needs, land uses and resourcedevelopment proposals. Further, the referralsystems and other administrative practicesdesigned to ensure implementation ofappropriate protective conditions, undergovernment legislation, shall be maintainedand, where necessary, improved.

5. The authorities regulating land uses will beencouraged to impose development conditionsto ensure protection of the yield, timing andquality of the water resource.

6. Re-routing of the rivers and streams in theplanning area will be discouraged. Whenrequired for the management or developmentof resources, it would be considered on a site-by-site basis. If approved, the provincialgovernment agencies involved will worktogether with the proponent to design andimplement strategies to mitigate short- andlong term losses to fisheries, wildlife and otherresource values.

7. Water quality and quantity monitoringprograms will be maintained to ensure thatdata are available on which to basemanagement decisions.

8. The domestic water supply needs of the urbanservice area of Fort McMurray, the hamlet ofFort MacKay and other existing or futuresettlements situated within, or downstreamfrom, the planning area will continue to berecognized through the existing review andimpact evaluation processes used for land usedevelopments.

3.8 Fisheries

The capability of the existing fisheries to meetangling demand is limited. This limitation isprimarily due to the shortage of fish-bearing lakes,slow growth and low reproduction rates of fish inthe colder waters, and the susceptibility of fishpopulations to over harvest. Disturbances to thequality and quantity of the water also negativelyaffect the fisheries.

Since there is a high demand for this limitedresource, allocation decisions may be necessary.The Fish and Wildlife Policy for Alberta (1982)has indicated a priority for use of the fisheriesresource. These priorities, in order, are as follows:domestic or Native use, recreational use, andcommercial uses. It may be necessary for usersto demonstrate fish stocks are not only availablefor their use, but remaining stocks are sufficient tomeet the demand of higher priority uses now andin the future.

Of the lakes in the planning area, only GregoireLake supports sport fish populations year-round.It contains walleye, lake whitefish, northern pike,burbot, suckers and yellow perch. The TexacoTrout Pond near Lynton is stocked annually withtrout.

The Athabasca and Clearwater rivers, includingtheir tributaries, support a limited population ofspecies found in Gregoire Lake and a few othersport fish such as goldeye and mountain whitefish.With time, these river and stream fisheries willgain importance because of the scenic, sportfishing opportunities they provide

19

near roadways or through increased frequency ofboat trips. Since these fisheries are especiallysusceptible to overfishing, greater restrictions(e.g., size limits) may be required.

The Federal Fisheries Act stipulates thatdevelopment activities permitted within orimmediately adjacent to fish-bearing waters mustnot disturb or adversely affect the fish habitat ofthose waters, unless specifically authorized. Thefederal Policy for the Management of FishHabitat, states that fish habitat lost in one locationshall be replaced with comparable fish habitat in anearby location.

Broad Objectives:

1. To maintain and enhance existing aquatichabitat suitable to support productive fishpopulations.

2. To maintain healthy fish populations andfishery production at least to their currentlevels, and to enhance them whereverpossible.

3. To maintain and enhance the existing varietyand distribution of fishing opportunities withemphasis on naturally reproducing populations.

4. To develop new fishing opportunities, wherepossible, to meet increasing demand.

5. To ensure adequate timing and volume ofinstream flow to meet fish requirements.

6. To minimize the impact, specifically on fish-bearing waters, of agricultural, industrial andother uses.

Broad Guidelines:

1. The limited fisheries resource will be allocatedto meet the demand of high priority usergroups. It may be necessary for users todemonstrate how they will protect sufficientfish stocks for higher priority users, now andin the future.

2. Fisheries habitat protection guidelines shall beapplied to local plans and developmentproposals that are reviewed in accordance

with the existing referral system. Wherenecessary, mitigative techniques will be usedto compensate for habitat loss, to minimizesiltation and to provide initiatives for streamhabitat enhancement.

3. Fisheries production will continue to relyprimarily on naturally reproducing populations.Artificial stocking will be used whereappropriate and as opportunities arise torestore lost populations or create new ones.The development of new ponds for stocked“put and take” fisheries will be of secondaryimportance.

4. Stream and lake fisheries will be managed tomaintain the naturally reproducing fishpopulations.

5. Unrestricted legal public access to waterbodies containing fishery resources will bemaintained.

3.9 Wildlife

Wildlife resources contribute to the economy byproviding benefits to guides, outfitters, trappers,Native people, airline charter companies andtourist operators. Local residents use wildliferesources for such recreational activities ashunting, fishing, photography and viewing. ForNatives and trappers, these resources are animportant part of their traditional heritage andlivelihood.

The planning area’s wildlife populations arelimited in diversity and abundance because of lowhabitat capabilities and low reproductive rates.The species present and their reproductiveconstraints are typical of the northern borealmixedwood ecosystem. The planning area ispartly surrounded by known, regularly occupiedwoodland caribou range. The areas of goodcaribou habitat (forested fens and forested bogs)within the planning area, mostly south of theClearwater River, are not known to be regularlyoccupied by caribou. The river and streamvalleys provide particularly important winter rangefor a number of species, including moose anddeer. The moose is the principal big game speciessought in the planning area, with black

20

bear a distant second. Habitat is very limited forthe white-tailed deer, and its numbers areespecially subject to fluctuations in response tohard winters. Hunting for moose by local Nativesis particularly important as a traditional activityand as a source of meat.

The variety of furbearers present and the numbertrapped varies in response to natural wildlifecycles and fluctuating prices. The principalspecies of interest comprise fisher, marten, otterlynx, wolf, muskrat, beaver and mink.

The planning area contains a relatively smallnumber of water bodies suitable for waterfowl.Several water bodies, locally important asbreeding sites, serve as migration stopover andfeeding sites for large numbers of waterfowl inspring and fall. Ruffed, spruce and sharp-tailedgrouse are also found and hunted in selectedareas. A Watchable Wildlife site near PoplarCreek provides good birdwatching opportunitiesfor a number of songbird species, waterfowl andsharp-tailed grouse. Considerable opportunityexists for wildlife viewing adjacent to main roadsand rivers.

Broad Objectives:

1. To minimize damage to wildlife habitat and,where possible, to enhance the quality,diversity, distribution and extent of productivehabitat.

2. To maintain, and, if possible, to enhance thediversity, abundance and distribution of wildliferesources for Native subsistence, recreationaland commercial benefits. Such resourcesinclude the following:

(a) Black Bear - To maintain, within thecurrent range of distribution, the currentfall population of 300 black bears andencourage greater harvests to increaserecreational benefits beyond the currentlevel.

(b) Ungulates - To maintain the currentwintering population of 200 deer. Tomaintain habitat to support, throughoutthe current range of distribution, awintering population of 2000 moose.

Currently, the population of about 1000moose is kept low by natural predationand hunting. Special managementtechniques may be able to return thispopulation to its previous, higher levels.

(c) Bird Game - To maintain current averagepopulations of bird game, recognizing thatsome of these populations are highlycyclical.

(d) To maintain upland and aquatic habitatsrequired to retain the current furbearerpopulations.

3. To protect wildlife species consideredsensitive to disturbance or environmentalchange (e.g., pileated woodpecker) and topromote increased populations and distributionof species considered rare or endangered(e.g., wolverine, woodland caribou).

4. To promote and develop opportunities for bothconsumptive (e.g., hunting, trapping) andnonconsumptive (e.g., viewing, photography)uses associated with wildlife.

5. To promote the use of the fur resource withinits capability, and, at minimum, to maintain thetrapping industry at its current level.

6. To promote activities and methods (e.g.,proper garbage management) that willminimize the number and costs of nuisancewildlife events.

Broad Guidelines:

1. Hunting will be managed under existingguidelines and regulations to achieve anequitable use of the resources among thethree user groups: Native subsistence,recreational and commercial uses.

2. Wildlife habitat protection guidelines will beapplied to development proposals that arereviewed in accordance with the existingreferral system. In important wildlife areas,techniques (e.g., timing constraints and accessrestrictions) will be recommended to minimizeand mitigate possible habitat loss, disruption

21

of wildlife populations and lost recreational(e.g., hunting, wildlife viewing) or commercial(e.g., guiding, trapping) opportunities.

3. Conflicts between trappers and other userswill be reduced through consultation withtrapping area holders during detailed planningof a development’s operation.

4. Priority will be given to the management andprotection of the habitats and populations ofrare and endangered species.

5. In important wildlife areas and for wildlifemanagement purposes, techniques (e.g.,locked gates, rollback) may be applied onsituations of new industrial access.

6. Wildlife-viewing opportunities will beencouraged.

3.10 Ecological Resources

The planning area lies predominantly in the Mid toHigh Boreal Mixedwood Ecoregion, which coversabout one-third of the entire province. Many ofthe most significant features of this region arelocated within the planning area including themeanders on the rivers, the karst topography northof Fort McMurray, the La Saline and GregoireLake Natural Areas and the extensive McClellandLake wetland.

Broad Objectives:

1. To protect representative, significant andunique examples of the natural features,landscapes and ecosystems of the BorealMixedwood Ecoregion.

2. To provide for the recreational, scientific oreducational use of ecological resources, yetensure that features are maintained in anatural state.

Broad Guideline:

1. Ecological resources will be identified bygovernment agencies and individual groups(e.g., naturalist groups). Following anassessment and review of these resources,

public land reservations will be established andmaintained. Especially significant resourceswill be established by Order in Council underthe authority of various acts (Wilderness Area,Ecological Reserves and Natural Areas Act).

3.11 Historical Resources

Two major themes in Alberta’s historicdevelopment are well represented in the planningarea, the fur trade and resource development.From the late 18th century to the late 19thcentury, the fur trade was the most significantfactor in Alberta’s history. Three known furtrade posts were established before the NorthWest Company combined with the Hudson’s BayCompany in 1821. These posts included Fort ofthe Forks, Pierre au Calumet and Beren’s House.Subsequently, fur trading posts were establishedat Fort McMurray (1870) and Fort MacKay(ca. 1870). The former, established by HenryMoberly in 1870 for the Hudson’s Bay Company,was named after Chief Factor WilliamMcMurray. It closed in 1899 because of bettertrading at Fort MacKay. Although formallynamed after Scottish pioneer and fur trader Dr.William Morrison MacKay, Fort MacKay wasknown as “Little Red River” until 1897. Thesecommunities have since witnessed the transitionfrom fur resources to the development of theregion’s oil sands.

Between 1900 and 1920, several exploration wellswere drilled to evaluate the oil sands in the area.The best historic example of oil sandsdevelopment activity is the Bitumount Site, apioneering project in the development andimprovement of the hot water extraction process.The site has been designated as a provincialhistoric resource. At another important site,Abasand Oils Ltd., bitumen was being extractedand refined by 1941.

Archaeological evidence from northeasternAlberta and adjacent areas suggest that theplanning area has been occupied by man for thepast 10 000 years. Although over 320 prehistoricarchaeological sites have been recorded,archaeological resources in the planning area arestill largely unknown. Most inventories, which

22

encompass only a small percentage of sites, havebeen directed toward tracts of land targeted for oilsands extraction, or research programs (for themost part, local environs of the Athabasca Riverand its tributaries).

The prehistoric settlement pattern appears to havebeen largely riverine with seasonal use of largetracts of boreal-muskeg, which cover much of thesubregion. Local water bodies such as GregoireLake and well-drained lands are also highlysignificant in terms of their potential forarchaeological resources.

Two valuable sites that are considered to be ofutmost importance to the further understanding ofthe prehistoric use of the planning area are theBeaver River quarry archaeological site and theBezya site.

Broad Objective:

1. To protect, for educational, interpretive andscientific purposes, historical resources frompotential or actual resource developmentimpact, and to conserve these historicalresources for future generations.

Broad Guideline:

1. Before development occurs that may result inthe disturbance of the land surface, anHistorical Resources Impact Assessmentshould be conducted as outlined under theHistorical Resources Act. The ArchaeologicalSurvey of Alberta will participate in theexisting referral system to reviewdevelopment proposals where historicalresources may be affected.

3.12 Population Health

Population health acknowledges an entire range offactors that determine health of the population in aregion. These factors include: income and socialstatus, social support networks, education,employment and working conditions, physicalenvironments, biology and genetic endowment,personal health practices and coping skills, healthychild development and health services.

It is recognized that a healthy populationcontributes to economic prosperity, reducedexpenditures on health and social problems, andoverall social stability and well-being in Albertans.

Broad Objectives:

1. To provide opportunities for public, industryand government to consider the influence ofhealth on development of public land andresources in a region based on a determinantsof health approach.

2. To encourage the use of population healthinformation in planning the orderlydevelopment of public land and resources in aregion.

3. To minimize adverse effects on populationhealth while at the same time promotingdevelopment and prosperity in a region.

Broad Guideline:

1. Wherever relevant, consider population healthaspects of exploration and development ofnatural resources in the planning area basedon a determinants of health approach.

4.0 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AREAS

The specific objectives and guidelines have beendeveloped to promote the management intentidentified for each resource management area(RMA). The objectives provide a statement of adesirable state for resource or land use activities.The guidelines provide direction on how to achievethe objectives, recognizing that conflicts may existbetween specific resource managementobjectives.

In situations where specific resource managementobjectives and/or guidelines have not beenpresented for an RMA, the broad objectives andguidelines from Section 3.0 will apply. Resourceor land use activities that currently exist, or havebeen approved before the completion of this plan,will be permitted to continue under the

23

established regulation. At a point of renewal,existing dispositions will be reviewed to ensureconsistency with the plan's intent.

The RMA boundaries (Figure 2) have beendefined using the Alberta Township System.Private land within the boundaries of the RMAs,including the urban service area of FortMcMurray, the hamlets of Fort MacKay andAnzac, and Federal reserves are outside thejurisdiction of this plan. The approximate size ofeach RMA in the planning area is listed as follows:

Resource Management Area Area (km2) Percent

Fort McMurray Fringe 204 3

Athabasca-Clearwater 755 10

Gregoire Lake 52 1

Mildred-Kearl Lakes 2 067 43

Stony-Birch 3 085 43

Total Planning Area 7 163 100

4.1 Fort McMurray Fringe ResourceManagement Area

The Fort McMurray Fringe ResourceManagement Area (Figure 3) is characterized byboreal forest with steep-sided river valleys.These valleys provide an aesthetic appearance tothe fringe area. They also provide extensiverecreation opportunities in proximity to FortMcMurray. Fort McMurray is surrounded byprovincial public land. Land development withinFort McMurray (adjacent to the Fort McMurrayfringe RMA) is administered under the FortMcMurray General Municipal Plan and additionalplans and bylaws under the authority of theMunicipal Government Act.

The Fort McMurray Fringe ResourceManagement Area consists of four segments(Figure 3). Three of these (southeast, northernand western) have a linear orientation containingaccess corridors radiating outward from FortMcMurray.

The southeast segment is the most developed interms of the variety and scale of activity. Majortransportation routes include two provincialhighways (Hwy. 63 and Hwy. 69), the FortMcMurray airport and a railway line to Lynton.Other activities such as the Saprae Creek CountryResidential Subdivision and the Spruce Valley SkiHill have been developed partially due to theaesthetic and recreational values associated withthe Clearwater River valley. Within the moresheltered confines of the valley, market gardeningtakes place on better soils.

South of the Clearwater River valley, other landuses have taken advantage of the access createdby the two provincial highways. These include arange of industrial (sulphur processing, secondaryindustrial park), institutional (Keyano HeavyEquipment Campus, minimum security camp, firefighters holding camp, sanitary landfill and theSPCA), commercial and recreational uses (drive-in theatres, stables, sleigh and hay rides).

The northern segment has a similar pattern of landuse along Highway 63. This corridor passes alongthe Athabasca River floodplain and contains alimited amount of industrial (e.g., sawmill, asphaltplant, topsoil processing) and commercial (e.g.,auto wreckers, towing and storage, auto racetrack) uses. In this segment, land suitable fordevelopment is limited. Pressure to accommodatemore highway-oriented activity may result,particularly if the highway continues to serve asthe principal road access to the northern parts ofthe planning area and beyond. In response, theRegional Municipality of Wood Buffalo hasinitiated preparation of the Highway 63 AreaStructure Plan within the city boundaries toaddress these concerns.

Surface mineable oil sands extend into thenorthern segment of this RMA. This RMAcontains portions of three oil sands leases.Metallic and industrial minerals permits indicateinterest in the quarriable limestone along the rivervalley, as well as in the potential for otherminerals.

Fort McMurray Fringe RMA

24

25

Guidelines:

Surface Mining:1. Commercial development of oil sands, using

surface-mining techniques, is not permitted.

In Situ:2. Experimental and commercial in situ oil sands

operations and the exploration anddevelopment of conventional petroleum andnatural gas, metallic and quarriable mineralswill be permitted where conflict with adjacentland uses can be mitigated.

3. Impacts of mineral developments on aestheticand wildlife values will be minimized by;limiting the line-of-site on access trails to 200m; retaining a vegetation buffer between thedevelopment site and public roads; andclearing the site in an irregular shape.

4. Surface materials (including sand, gravel, peatand topsoil) will be protected from conflictswith other land uses. Reservations will beplaced on significant surface deposits (Classes1 to 3). Such deposits will be managed on asite-by-site basis through the existing referralsystem.

Forest Resources

Objective (Commercial Timber):

See Broad “Commercial Forest” Objectives(Section 3.2).

Guideline (Commercial Timber):

1. Timber harvesting north of Fort McMurray,and between Highway 63 and the AthabascaRiver, will recognize opportunities forextensive recreation activities and theimportance of maintaining a safe andaesthetically pleasing approach to FortMcMurray.

Of the three linear segments, the westernsegment is the least developed. Access consistsof a gravel forestry road, which terminates about30 km from the city at the Thickwood Hillsforestrytower. This road serves the needs of AlbertaLand and Forest Service and some resourcedevelopment activity. The road also providesaccess to extensive recreational opportunities inthe Thickwood Hills area. Road upgrading wouldmake it more attractive for other kinds of landuses requiring highway access. The only activitycurrently situated along this road is a horse-holding operation on public land. In the short term,the western segment could take advantage of asignificant amount of Class 4 soils, that are wellsuited for domestic livestock grazing.

The northeast segment, situated directly acrossthe Clearwater River from Fort McMurray, iscurrently inaccessible by road. The area containssome significant gravel deposits and is thepreferred location for future expansion of FortMcMurray.

Resource management should take intoconsideration the needs of a growing city. Landuses and infrastructure required to serve FortMcMurray should be planned to avoid coveringover valuable resources that are required locally.A country residential development and an airporthave been established on relatively scarce graveldeposits. The local cost of sand and gravel mayhave increased because of the resulting greaterhauling distance from alternative sources. Similaroccurrences should be minimized or avoided.

Management Intent:

To manage public land and resources inrecognition of the multiple uses required toservice and enhance development of theurban service area of Fort McMurray.

Mineral and Surface Material Resources

Objective:

1. To explore and develop mineral and surfacematerials in a manner that is sensitive to landuse and infrastructure activity associated withthe urban service area of Fort McMurray.

Fort McMurray Fringe RMA

26

Settlement

Objectives:

1. To ensure that additional country residentialand industrial development locates in the mostsuitable areas.

2. To ensure that highway-oriented development(e.g., commercial or industrial) does notminimize or eliminate opportunities to maintainor provide safe highway access and anaesthetically pleasing approach to FortMcMurray.

Guidelines:

1. Lands designated “Potential UrbanExpansion” (Figure 3) will be retained toaccommodate future growth requirements ofFort McMurray. Specific conditions may beapplied to leases to ensure consistency withthe intent for these areas. Sale ordevelopment of these lands will requireapproval from the Regional Municipality ofWood Buffalo.

2. Country residential development will only bepermitted in the Saprae Creek CountryResidential Subdivision. Additional countryresidential development may be considered inthe Stony-Birch RMA.

3. Secondary industrial development outside ofFort McMurray or established industrial parksmay have to abide by guidelines establishedunder the Improvement District’s AirportVicinity Protection Area Program. Otherwise,Section 3.3 Settlement, Broad Guideline #3will apply.

4. Only recreational development, highwaycommercial development and industrialdevelopment will be permitted. Thesedevelopments will be adjacent to highwaysand will maintain and/or enhance safehighway access and an aesthetically pleasingapproach to Fort McMurray. Suchdevelopment includes the location and design

of, and landscaping adjacent to, the proposedstructures. Principal points of access, in thisregard, include Highway 63 and the AirportRoad.

Agriculture

Objectives:

1. To provide suitable public land to meet localdemands for small-scale market gardeningopportunities.

2. To encourage the orderly establishment ofnew grazing dispositions within areas having ahigher capability for grazing.

3. To encourage proper management of livestockon existing grazing dispositions, to maintainforage production and to improve forage use,which may include a variety of rangeimprovement techniques.

4. To provide suitable public land to meet localdemands for horse-holding areas.

Guidelines:

1. Future market gardening will be developedonly on Canada Land Inventory (CLI) Class 3soils (Figure 3) for individual leases notexceeding 8.1 ha; a 100 m undisturbed bufferis to be maintained along the edge of the river.

At the time of lease renewal, undevelopedportions of existing market garden leases maybe withdrawn to allow opportunities for otherinterested market garden developers.

2. Grazing will be permitted on CLI Class 4 soilsor better quality (Figure 3), subject tooperating conditions on the grazing disposition(e.g., buffers, fencing, term of disposition).

3. Permanent residences will not be permitted onagricultural leases.

4. Horse-holding areas will be considered onpublic land with road access.

Recreation and Tourism

Fort McMurray Fringe RMA

27

Objective:

1. To promote Fort McMurray and its vicinity asa service centre and staging area forrecreation and tourism throughout and beyondthe planning area.

Guidelines:

See Broad “Recreation and Tourism”Guidelines (Section 3.6).

Water Resources

Objectives:

1. To minimize the hazardous effects of flooding.

2. To ensure that existing and futuredevelopment activities do not result inunacceptable changes in water quality andquantity.

Guidelines:

1. Operating guidelines will be applied insituations where development proposals, inproximity to Fort McMurray, may be subjectedto the risk of flooding.

2. On a site-by-site basis, buffers will beestablished, in proximity to Fort McMurray,along the Athabasca and Clearwater riverfloodplains in accordance with existingrequirements for specific kinds ofdevelopment.

4.2 Athabasca-Clearwater ResourceManagement Area

Boundary Definition

The Athabasca-Clearwater ResourceManagement Area (RMA - Figure 2)encompasses nationally significant (i.e.,Athabasca) and provincially significant (e.g.,Clearwater, Ells, Firebag) rivers (Westworth1990). The McClelland Lake wetland Complexportion of the RMA contains McClelland Lake,

the fen and an adjacent upland drainage basin.The RMA includes portions of the more importanttributaries, generally shown in figure 2. Theboundary for the remainder of the RMA will bedetermined on a site-by-site basis, in accordancewith specific guidelines (e.g., setbacks required bylegislation), when a development is proposed.

In the surface mineable portion of the AthabascaRiver valley, the RMA boundary is specificallydefined as follows:

i. From Twp 91 north to• Saline Lake on the east side of the

river; and• where the Beaver River enters on

the west side of the AthabascaRiver,

the boundary of the RMA is the valleybreak + 100 m.

ii. North of i.• the boundary of the RMA is 1 km

from the river’s edge, or Highway#63/963, whichever is less.

Background

The Athabasca and Clearwater rivers arecharacterized by U-shaped valleys, owing to thesandstone bedrock of the McMurray formation.At the junction of these rivers, ice jams formduring spring breakup. The upper slopes of thesevalleys are unstable, though not to the degree ofthose in the more deeply incised V-shaped valleysof their tributaries. The characteristics of thesevalleys reflect the geological substrata of the area,which consists primarily of shales and siltstone ofthe Clearwater formation. The shales contributeto slumping, as is evident along most river andstream valleys in this area.

The rivers of this RMA support a variety of fishincluding suckers, goldeye, walleye, lake whitefish,mountain whitefish, yellow perch, northern pikeand Arctic grayling. The river valleys providecritical winter habitat for white-tailed deer and

Athabasca-Clearwater RMA

28

moose. These waterways form a key componentof the Athabasca watershed that extends beyondthe planning area.

From an historical standpoint, the Athabasca andClearwater rivers have played a significant role inthe economic development of this area. In theAthabasca River valley, the Beaver River QuarryArchaeological Site provides the best example ofa prehistoric quarry/workshop in northeasternAlberta. It has been designated as a provincialhistoric resource. Located in the RMA are twoprincipal historical sites from the fur trading.Below the mouth of the MacKay River, the Pierreau Calumet Fort served the Cree Indians. It alsostored provisions for the North West Company’sbrigades. These provisions were often obtainedfrom the opposing companies’ shipments. One ofthe opposing forts that had its supplies stolen wasBeren’s House, located on the west bank of theAthabasca River south of Fort MacKay. Both ofthese forts were eventually abandoned after theNorth West and the Hudson’s Bay companiesmerged in 1821.

Farther down river is the Bitumount Historic Site,where the oil sands formation is exposed. Thisprovincially designated historic resource illustratesearly attempts at exploitation of the oil sands. TheBitumount complex was a pioneering project inthe development and improvement of the hotwater extraction process. The Abasands site,situated adjacent to Fort McMurray, is a site ofsimilar historic importance for bitumen extractionand refining.

The hamlet of Fort MacKay has witnessed thetransition of the area from a fur trade economy totoday’s oil sands economy. In spite of thesechanges, the Fort McKay Indian Band still valuesits hunting, fishing, trapping and renewableresource base that extends beyond the planningarea. The band is presently negotiating a landexchange to relocate one of its reserves to thehamlet of Fort MacKay. Development within theFort MacKay hamlet is presently managed by anonstatutory community development planadministered by the Municipality of WoodBuffalo.

To facilitate exploration and potential developmentof oil sands east of the Athabasca River, a bridge

was constructed south of Fort MacKay. Accessacross the river provided new recreationopportunities (e.g. canoeing on the Muskeg River)and a new starting point for a winter road to FortChipewyan.

An important natural feature of the RMA is theMcClelland Lake wetland. It consists of a richpatterned fen containing well developed patternsof "strings" (parallel lines of vegetation) and pools.It also includes some plant species that are rare inthe boreal forest and species not yet having beenidentified in any other site in the province. Someplant species found in the wetland are common tothe Rocky Mountain foothills. The wetland andlake are not considered to be outstanding habitatfor furbearers and ungulates, nor good breedingareas for waterfowl. However, relative to theplanning area, the lake itself comprises the bestspring/fall staging area for migrating waterfowl.

The physical features of this RMA offer greatpotential for a variety of recreational pursuits.Opportunities for hiking, canoeing, camping,sportfishing and viewing could be enhanced byincreased access. The MacKay and Muskegrivers have been made more accessible becauseof the development of resource roads. TheAthabasca, Horse and Hangingstone riversprovide recreation opportunities immediatelyadjacent to Fort McMurray neighbourhoods. TheClearwater River also serves as an importantrecreation area for local residents and visitors.Through improved access and servicing (e.g.,parking, trail systems, day-use sites), this resourcecould provide a significant alternative to GregoireLake as a local destination area. The river hasalso been identified as a possible candidate for theCanadian Heritage Rivers Program. This portionof the Clearwater is also the terminus for rivertravellers coming from Saskatchewan or upstreamin Alberta.

Along the Athabasca River, downriver from FortMcMurray, additional site-specific recreational/tourism opportunities could be promoted. Forexample, La Saline Springs is situated on a terracethat feeds Saline Lake (an old oxbow of theAthabasca River) that serves as the mostproductive area in the region for waterfowl.Together with numerous mineral deposits andcrystal formations and a unique tufa (calcium

Athabasca-Clearwater RMA

29

carbonate porous rock), these features constitutethe La Saline Natural Area. Other attractionsalong the river include Fort MacKay, Bitumount,the two oil sand mines and structures such as theFort MacKay bridge.

Background for the Athabasca River valleynorth of Twp 91

Throughout the development of the integratedresource plan, concerns about the impact of oilsands development within the Athabasca Rivervalley have been brought to the attention of theplanning team. Specifically, concerns have beenraised about the potential impacts on theenvironment including wildlife, aesthetics, water,and traditional uses. Concurrently, concernshave also been expressed about the continuationof mining and the value of the oil sands resourceswithin the river valley.

The ecosystems within the river valley are themost diverse and productive for wildlife andvegetation within the region. Maintaining theintegrity of the river valley ensures protection ofcomplex natural hydrological patterns andgroundwater regimes. Several provincially andlocally significant features (e.g., springs, wetlands)also contribute to the importance of the valley.Aboriginal people have long used the Athabascaas a travel corridor and for access to significantsites. Several very important oil sand ore bodieslie along and extend into the Athabasca Rivervalley within the surface mineable portion of theriver. Because those portions of the ore bodiesnearest the valley tend to have the leastoverburden they are the most economic reservesof these ore bodies. Estimates based onincomplete reserve studies suggest that there areapproximately 500 million cubic metres of bitumenthat could be potentially recovered from the rivervalley and adjacent valley walls.

The Athabasca River valley contains a diversityof resources and associated values. There is aneed to balance the use of natural resources andprotection of the river valley ecosystem to achieveshort-and long-term benefits. For these reasons,developments that propose to encroach on theriver valley (within the valley breaks) will beexamined closely by both government and theAlberta Energy Utilities Board regulators.

Management Intent:

To protect the natural landscape, whichencompasses water, wildlife habitat,ecological and geological features, to ensureaesthetic, recreational, traditional andenvironmental values.

Mineral and Surface Material Resources

Objective:

1. To explore and develop mineral and surfacematerial resources in a manner that ensuresprotection of and minimizes the impacts to theunstable slopes, watershed, wildlife, ecological,historical, traditional and recreational values ofthe RMA.

Guidelines:

1a. In the Clearwater River valley, part of theMcClelland Lake Wetland Complex and theMacKay tributary adjacent to Fort MacKay,oil sands development using surface miningtechniques is not permitted.” Within theremaining “tributaries” of the RMA, surfacemining will only be considered where theproponent clearly demonstrates that effortsare being made to apply mitigative measuresand reclamation procedures that reflect thehigher sensitivities of these areas.

1b. Surface mining within the AthabascaClearwater RMA shall maintain the watertable, water chemistry and water flow withinlimits as indicated by natural fluctuations tomaintain ecosystem diversity and function ofthe McClelland Lake wetland complex wheresurface mining is not allowed.

2. Experimental and commercial oil sandsrecovery, using in situ techniques, may beconsidered on a site-by-site basis with theAthabasca and Clearwater river valleys,associated tributaries and the upland drainagebasin of the McClelland Lake WetlandComplex. Recovery operations should bebased on the best science utilizing besttechnology available to minimizeenvironmental impacts. In situ development inthe Clearwater River valley is not encouraged

Athabasca-Clearwater RMA

30

because of the area’s potential for futurerecreation development. If it does occur itshould adhere to Access and Infrastructureguideline #4, in Subsection 4.2.

In situ oil sands development will not bepermitted within part of the McClelland Lakewetland complex, nor in those portions of theRMA adjacent to Fort MacKay (NE 1/4, Twp.94 and SE 1/4, Twp 95, Rge. 11, W4M: NW,Twp. 94 and SE, Twp 95, Rge. 10, W4M) andFort McMurray (Twp. 88, Rge. 9, and Twp.89, Rges. 9-10, W4M).

3. Seismic and other mineral exploration in theAthabasca and Clearwater river valleys andtheir tributaries shall maximize use of existingaccess or use portable equipment on hand-cutlines not exceeding a width of 1.5 m. Wherethis width is not sufficient to allow evaluationof the mineral resource or of geologicalstructures, construction of new access, notexceeding a width of 3 m, will be consideredat the time of application. This guideline willapply except within areas approved for loggingover the subsequent five years.

Exploration programs in the McClelland Lakewetland must not interfere with the contoursof the landscape in a manner that alters thewaterflow.

4. Extraction of oil sands by in situ recoverymethods, surface materials (e.g., sand, gravel),metallic and quarriable minerals and thedevelopment of major transportation and utilitycorridors will be conducted in a mannerminimizing impacts on the significantwatershed, wildlife, fisheries, vegetation,aesthetic and recreation values. Operatingconditions (e.g., access, site selection, siteclearing, reclamation, material storage) tominimize impacts on these values will beconsidered on a site-by-site basis. (See also“Access and Infrastructure” guidelines 1-4).

Instream gravel production is not permitted.Sand and gravel operations require a minimum50 m buffer from the high-water mark of anyriver.

Existing commitments to surface mining of oilsands will be honoured.

Athabasca River Valley (surface mineable areaonly):

5. The Athabasca River valley ecosystem and itsresources and values will be protected andadverse impacts of development minimized.Exploration and development of oil sandresources will be considered only if theproponent can demonstrate that a satisfactorylevel of mitigation of the adverse impacts ofdevelopment on the resources and valuesidentified below can be achieved. Thisdetermination will be made during the projectapproval process and will not entail a planamendment.

Wildlife• valley vegetation (wind shelter, ungulate

wintering areas, travel corridors)• riparian habitat• habitat diversity

Erosion• sensitive soils and drainage patterns from

erosion or disturbance• downstream users from sedimentation

Floodplain• setback to at least 1:100 year flood level• accommodate for natural evolution in the

path of the river

Water Quality• water quality for downstream users

including human, fish and other biota• natural surface water and groundwater

regimes

Recreation and Tourism• visual and acoustic aesthetics. Minimize

impacts of developments upon river usersand recreationists using the river as atravel corridor.

• characteristic valley horizonCmaintain orrestore

Ecological• unique physical river valley

characteristics (e.g., springs)• rare flora and fauna• critical ecological functions and

processes

Athabasca-Clearwater RMA

31

Traditional Uses• important traditional areas for First

Nation Peoples

Historic Sites• historic resources for scientific,

educational and interpretive purposes.

Forest Resources

Objective (Commercial Timber):

1. To minimize the effects of timber harvestingon the watershed and significant aesthetic,ecological, historical, traditional andrecreational features and opportunities foundin this RMA.

Guidelines:

1. The impact of timber harvesting on thewatershed will be reduced through specialconditions relating to cutblock size andconfiguration; these conditions may alsoinclude a range of harvesting techniques suchas selective logging.

2. In accordance with current harvestingguidelines, timber harvesting in upland areas ofthe McClelland Lake wetland portion of thisRMA must incorporate buffers aroundsinkholes as well as along creeks and theperimeter of the open fen. This harvestactivity must not interfere with the contours ofthe landscape in a manner that alters thewater flow.

3. Timber harvesting will occur in accordancewith the guidelines identified in the ForestLandscape Management Strategies forAlberta for all river areas in the RMA and willbe designed to minimize the impact onaesthetics as viewed from the river. Loggingwill not be permitted on the deeply incised(450+) slopes of the Horse, Hangingstone,Steepbank, Muskeg, Tar, Joslyn, Ells, Doverand MacKay rivers.

Settlement

Objective:

1. To ensure that commercial structures aredeveloped to complement, rather than imposeon, the natural aesthetics of the RMA.

Guidelines:

1. Commercial development will be consideredonly where it supports recreation and tourismobjectives (see Broad “Recreation andTourism” Guidelines, Section 3.6).Commercial shoreline development mustadhere to “Water” Guidelines, Section 3.7 asoutlined by Alberta Environmental Protection.

2. The sale of public land is not permitted in theRMA.

Access and Infrastructure

Objectives:

1. To accommodate transportation facilities andother industrial infrastructure required for theeconomic development of the region, and alsoprovide protection for the wildlife (e.g.,wintering moose), fishery, water quality,aesthetic and recreation/tourism values.

2. To maintain or enhance access to recreationalopportunities in the river valleys, particularlyvalleys adjacent to the Fort McMurray RMA(e.g., the Clearwater, Hangingstone, Horseand Athabasca rivers).

Guidelines:

1. River crossings for major transportation andutility corridors will be constructed to becompatible with the intent of this RMA.Wherever possible, existing or plannedcorridor crossings should be used (e.g.,Clearwater River crossing at Sec. 29, 32,Twp. 88, Rge. 7, W4M as identified in theAthabasca Oil Sands Multiple Use CorridorStudy).

All riverbank disturbances shall be mitigatedthrough reclamation procedures and

Athabasca-Clearwater RMA

32

landscaping techniques to minimize erosionand negative visual effects.

2. Linear development proposals for crossing theMcClelland Lake wetland block of the RMAshould use the existing corridor containing theFort Chipewyan winter road.

3. New roads or other kinds of lineardevelopment used to service resourceextraction areas (e.g., timber harvesting,surficial materials) shall consider recreationand tourism values, where possible. However,this does not apply to internal roads within adeveloping oil sands lease. Restrictions on thelocation of such internal industrial roads (e.g.,distance from river) and their duration will beapplied as required.

In the upland portion of the McClelland Lakewetland block, access development shouldincorporate buffers around sinkholes, alongcreeks and around the perimeter of the openfen.

4. Resource development facilities and structuresthat must be located in the RMA (e.g.,pumping stations, pipelines, tunnel entrances)should be screened from the river, usingnatural features and architecturally designedand landscaped to complement the naturalsurroundings.

Most structures associated with resourcedevelopment (e.g., storage and repairfacilities) are not permitted in this RMA.

Agriculture

Guideline:

1. Agricultural activity is not consideredcompatible with the intent of this RMA.

Recreation and Tourism

See Broad “Recreation and Tourism” Objectives(Section 3.6).

Guidelines:

1. Except for recreation purposes, no surfaceaccess leading to disposition, will be permittedwithin 200 m of the river shoreline on landsidentified for a proposed provincial recreationarea within the Fort Hills (Twp. 97, Rge. 10-11, W4M).

2. Development of support services (e.g.,parking and marina facilities) serving random,extensive recreation and tourism opportunitiesmust adhere to the “Settlement” Guideline(#1), Section 4.2.

Water Resources

Objective:

See Broad “Water” Objectives (Section 3.7)

Guideline:

1. The domestic water supply needs of the urbanservice area of Fort McMurray, the hamlet ofFort MacKay and other existing or futuresettlements situated within, or downstreamfrom, the planning area will continue to berecognized through existing review and impactevaluation processes used for suchdevelopments.

Fisheries

See Broad “Fisheries” Objectives (Section 3.8).

Guideline:

1. Special emphasis will be placed on siteselection and erosion control measures ofproposed developments, with the purpose ofmaintaining riparian habitat and shorelinevegetation, and protecting water quality, andfish-spawning and fish-rearing habitat.Creation of artificial beaches and removal ofshoreline vegetation will be allowed only inconfined areas and only under exceptionalcircumstances where it will provide significantbenefits to the public at large.

Athabasca-Clearwater RMA

33

Wildlife

Objectives:

1. To maintain the limited waterfowl habitatfound in this RMA.

2. To maintain and enhance moose habitat tosupport at least 225 wintering moose, up fromthe current population of approximately 100.

Guidelines:

1. Developments will not be permitted onsignificant waterfowl nesting habitat adjacentto the following water bodies:

• Horseshoe Lake (Parts of Sec. 3, 9, 10,Twp. 93, Rge. 10, W4M)

• Saline Lake (Parts of Sec. 15, 21, 22, 28,Twp. 93, Rge. 10, W4M)McClelland Lake (Parts of SWQuadrant, Twp. 98, Rge. 8, W4M; SEQuadrant, Twp. 98, Rge. 9, W4M andNE Quadrant, Twp. 97, Rge. 9, W4M)

• Little McClelland Lake (Parts of Sec. 17,18, Twp. 97, Rge. 8, W4M) Wood Slough(Parts of Sec. 7, 8, Twp. 92, Rge. 9,W4M)

2. In maintaining critical wintering habitat formoose, special constraints (e.g., accesscontrol, site selection) may be applied todevelopment proposals in the following rivervalleys:

• Clearwater River• Hangingstone River• Lower Muskeg River (Sec. 32 and

downstream in Twp. 94, Rge. 10, W4M)• Lower Steepbank River (downstream

from midpoint of Twp. 92, Rge. 9,W4M)

• Athabasca River (downstream from FortMcMurray)

Ecological Resources

See Broad “Ecological” Objectives (Section 3.10).

Guidelines:

1. Development activity permitted within orimmediately adjacent to this RMA must notdisturb or adversely affect La Saline NaturalArea (N1/2 15 and E1/2 21, 22, Twp. 93, Rge.10, W4M). These lands are protected underan Order in Council as a conservation NaturalArea.

2. Development proposals will mitigate adverseimpacts on the nationally or provinciallysignificant* natural features identified in thefollowing areas. The level of protection foreach site will be determined throughinteragency review.

Nationally Significant:

• Athabasca River Tar Sands Reach (Twp.95, Rge. 11, W4M)

Provincially Significant:

• Eymundson Sinkholes on Pierre River(Twp. 98, Rge. 11, W4M)

• Ells River - Oxbows and diversevegetation (Twp 95, Rge. 11 and 12W4M).

• Firebag River - Landform Diversity(Twp. 98, Rge. 7 W4M).

• Clearwater River - Candidate HeritageRiver (Twp. 89, Rge. 9 W4M and Twp.88, Rge. 7 and 8, W4M)

These sites will be reviewed for theircandidacy for formal designation.

Note: “Nationally and provincially” significant natural features as defined in the 1990 report, by D.A. Westworth,entitled Significant Natural Features of the Eastern Boreal Forest Region of Alberta.

Athabasca-Clearwater RMA

34

Historical Resources

See Broad “Historical” Objective (Section 3.11).

Guideline:

1. Development activity permitted within orimmediately adjacent to this RMA must notdisturb or adversely affect the Beaver RiverQuarry Archaeological Site (Sec. 36, Twp. 93,Rge. 11, W4M and Sec. 1, Twp. 94, Rge. 11,W4M) and the Bitumount Historic Site (Sec.1, Twp. 97, Rge. 11, W4M). Both of thesesites have been designated as provincialhistorical resources.

4.3 Gregoire Lake Resource ManagementArea

The Gregoire Lake Resource Management Area(Figure 2) situated approximately 20 km (12 mi.)southeast of Fort McMurray, contains GregoireLake, the most significant local recreationdestination area. Gregoire Lake supports avariety of sport fish including walleye, yellowperch, lake whitefish and northern pike. It alsoprovides opportunities for other water-basedactivities besides fishing, such as boating, water-skiing, sailing and wind-surfing. The lake servesas the source of water for the hamlet of Anzac.

Gregoire Lake Provincial Park, managed byAlberta Natural Resource Service is located onthe northwest shoreline of the lake. Althoughrelatively unproductive for waterfowl, the area isinhabited by a number of wildlife species includingmoose, deer, beaver, muskrat, otter, mink, wolfand coyote. The park provides day and overnightuse facilities including hiking trails, a beach and acampground with 140 individual campsites and agroup camp. The park primarily serves theresidents of Fort McMurray. The park isunderutilized for camping, with the exception ofsummer weekends. This level of use may changewhen the population grows with the developmentof the area’s oil sands deposits, and Highway 881“circle route” is completed from Lac La Biche.

Along the south shore of the lake, extensiverecreation opportunities can be found at Gregoire

Lake Natural Area. It contains three creeks,including Surmont Creek that feeds the lake,extensive wet meadows, with a variety of grassesand willow shrubland and upland aspen forests.

Located adjacent to the lake are the settlement ofthe Fort McMurray Band on the Gregoire LakeIndian Reserve and the hamlet of Anzac. TheFort McMurray Band is currently pursuing aformal land claim. The hamlet of Anzac providesrecreational and industrial services to thesurrounding area (Stony-Birch RMA).Development control within the hamlet is currentlymanaged by the Municipality of Wood Buffalothrough the Anzac Area Structure Plan.

Highway 881 connects the southwestern portionof the RMA and Anzac with Fort McMurray.Once the road to Lac La Biche is upgraded, thelake may also serve other communities outside theplanning area such as Conklin and Janvier. Thenortheastern shoreline between Gregoire LakeProvincial Park and Anzac remains largelyinaccessible. That shoreline is also the onlyportion of the RMA where expansion ofrecreation opportunities is anticipated. TheGregoire Lake Area Structure Plan, recentlyadopted, provides detailed development control onlands immediately surrounding Gregoire Lake.

Management Intent:

To optimize use of the lands for bothintensive and extensive recreation, whilemaintaining the aesthetic characteristics ofthe lake and its shoreland.

Mineral and Surface Material Resources

Objective:

1. To provide opportunities for limited petroleum,natural gas and in situ oil sands exploration,while recognizing the priority of recreation,water resources and environmental values.

Guidelines:

1. Geophysical exploration may be permitted onthe surface of Gregoire Lake and adjacentpublic land in the RMA, provided

Gregoire Lake RMA

35

nondestructive techniques (air guns fromboats, 1.5 m handcut lines, use of existingaccess) are used. Proponents must ensuretheir operations do not negatively affect therecreational and water resource values of thelake and surrounding lands. Public consultationis recommended before exploration isapproved.

2. No surface mining or quarrying will bepermitted in this RMA.

3. No major facilities will be permitted in theRMA.

4. A 400 m, buffer shall be provided from thehigh-water mark of Gregoire Lake forwellsites and associated infrastructure.

5. Wellsites and infrastructure shall be designed,constructed and operated so that they will notnegatively affect the values (e.g., sight, smell,sound) of the recreational buffer around thelake. Wellsites will be cleared in an irregularshape and the right-of-way, line-of-sight willbe limited to 200 m.

Forest Resources (Commercial Timber)

Objective:

1. To limit the effects of commercial timberdevelopment in keeping with the recreationalopportunities available in this RMA.

Guideline:

1. Timber harvesting shall be undertaken only asa salvage operation, as specified under Broad“Commercial Timber” Guideline #2 in Section#3.2.

Settlement

Objective:

1. To minimize the effects of land development inkeeping with the recreational opportunitiesfound in this RMA.

Guidelines:

1. Should the hamlet of Anzac require additionalland, they should be acquired from the StonyBirch RMA. This source will ensure thatdirect impact on the recreation opportunities ofthe Gregoire Lake RMA can be minimized.

2. Commercial development will be permitted inthe RMA provided that it is ancillary to thedevelopment of recreation and tourismopportunities. In addition to meeting“Settlement” guideline #4, Section 3.3, publicaccess shall be maintained both to and alongthe shoreline, but it should still meet theconcerns of affected government agencies(e.g., Natural Resource Service, AlbertaEnvironmental Protection).

3. Industrial development is not consideredcompatible with the intent of this RMA. Suchactivities will be directed to nearby settlementssuch as the hamlet of Anzac.

Access and Infrastructure

See Broad “Access” Objectives (Section 3.4).

Guidelines:

1. Except for direct water access, additionalroads or other kinds of linear development willnot be permitted within 100 m of theestablished high-water mark of the lake, andwill have a line-of-site limited to 200 m.

2. Public access shall be maintained to all publicshorelines.

Agriculture

Guideline:

1. Agricultural activity is not allowed within thisRMA.

Recreation and Tourism

Objectives:

1. To provide a range of recreation and tourismopportunities focusing on Gregoire Lake.

Gregoire Lake RMA

36

2. To encourage the provision of facilities andservices that are required to meet the demandfor recreation-based tourism.

Guideline:

See Broad “Recreation and Tourism” Guidelines# 1 and #2, Section 3.6.

Fisheries

See Broad “Fisheries” Objectives (Section 3.8).

Guideline:

1. Special emphasis will be placed on theprotection of riparian habitats for erosioncontrol, maintenance of water quality, fishspawning and fur rearing. Creation of artificialbeaches and removal of shoreline vegetation isstrongly discouraged.

Ecological Resources

See Broad “Ecological” Objectives (Section 3.10).

Guideline:

1. Development permitted within this RMA mustnot disturb or adversely affect the GregoireLake Natural Area (LSDs 1, 2 and pt. 8 of 10,NW 11, Twp. 86, Rge. 8, W4M). These landsare currently under a Protective Notation -Recreation.

4.4 Mildred-Kearl Lakes ResourceManagement Area

The entire Mildred-Kearl RMA is underlain bysurface mineable oil sands deposits. In-placereserves of crude bitumen are estimated to be 74billion barrels. These reserves could potentiallyyield an estimated 22 billion barrels of syntheticcrude oil. Recently, total cumulative syntheticcrude oil production from Syncrude Canada andSuncor Incorporated, combined, reached amilestone of 1 billion barrels.

Synthetic crude oil production from surfacemineable oil sands accounts for the largestproportion of Alberta’s synthetic crude oil

production. Of the 380 000 barrels/day ofbitumen produced in Alberta, 71 percent(270 000 barrels/day) comes from the Syncrudeand Suncor mining operations. Although theamount of bitumen recovered by in situ methods isincreasing (from the deeper oil sands depositsoutside of the RMA), surface mining will be theprimary recovery method in this RMA for theforeseeable future.

The impacts of open-pit mining on the naturallandscape in this RMA are considerable, as isevident from the existing Syncrude and Suncoroperations. Reclamation is of major importancebecause it returns the land to a level of capabilityequivalent to its previous state (e.g., reforestationfor timber, wildlife habitat and recreationalpurposes). Although reforestation will continue tobe important, there may be an increasing demandto accommodate other activities on these lands(e.g., fur farming, tree farming) to serve thegrowing population of Fort McMurray.

The Fort McKay Indian Band has expressedconcern about the effects of existing and potentialdevelopment activity on “traditional lands,” whichmake up much of this RMA and beyond. Theselands are vital to their traditional activities, such astrapping, hunting and fishing. The RMA is alsosituated within a portion of the Alberta-PacificForest Management Agreement area. Timberresources here are expected to sustain some ofthe supply requirements for the company’s pulpmill, currently under construction near the town ofAthabasca.

Over the long term, infrastructure to supportresource extraction/refining processes and thedemands of an expanding population will berequired. Currently, the RMA is served byHighway 63, four airstrips (Bitumount, KearlLake, Mildred Lake and Canterra site) andindustrial roads.

A number of specific sites within the RMAwarrant some degree of protection or mitigationfrom the effects of development. The mostnotable of these is the upland area at Fort Hillsthat Alberta Parks considers to be suitable for aprovincial park (Twp. 97, Rges. 10-11, W4M).This area, the adjacent McClelland Lake wetlandand the Bitumount Historic Site provide significant

Mildred-Kearl Lakes RMA

37

opportunities for heritage appreciation as well asrecreation and tourism. Another significantlocation, from an historical perspective, is theBezya Site, situated in the boreal-muskeg ecozoneof the former Alsands lease. This site isapproximately 4000 years old and contains theremains of a stone-working technology, withparallels in the Northwest Territories, Yukon andAlaska.

Management Intent:

To promote the orderly planning, explorationand development of resources with emphasison the area’s oil sands reserves.

Mineral and Surface Material Resources

Objectives:

1. To provide opportunities for industry to furtherdelineate the extent of surface mineable oilsands reserves.

2. To encourage the orderly, efficientdevelopment and production of surfacemineable oil sands reserves, to optimizeregional and provincial economic andemployment benefits.

3. To encourage and provide opportunities for theexploration and development of quarriablemetallic and industrial, aggregate and othermineral resources, providing suchdevelopments are compatible with, or will notjeopardize, existing or future oil sandsdevelopment projects.

4. To encourage the recovery of other valuablemineral, aggregate and surface materialresources during the mining and processing ofoil sands

Guidelines:

1. Mineral exploration activities, including drillhole programs will be permitted, subject tosite-specific operating conditions.

2. The review of mineral development proposals,other than oil sands, will consider thecompatibility of development proposals with

existing and possible future oil sands surfacemining developments.

Forest Resources

Objective (Commercial Timber):

See Broad “Forest” Objectives (Section 3.2).

Guidelines (Commercial Timber):

1. Where loss of the forest land base occursthrough surface mining, reforestation may beundertaken at locations identified during thedevelopment and reclamation stages.

Settlement

Objective:

1. To ensure that development along provincialhighways does not adversely affectopportunities for roadside recreation andtourism attractions.

Guidelines:

1. Highway commercial or secondary industrialdevelopment proposals must include inputfrom the Alberta Energy Utilities Board todetermine the potential impact on oil sandsrecovery, and must adhere to the “Recreationand Tourism” guideline provided in Section4.4.

2. Pending further assessment by AlbertaEnvironmental Protection and the Municipalityof Wood Buffalo, highway-orienteddevelopment will be considered at thefollowing locations:

• commercial development within areservation established at Sec. 1, Twp.94, Rge. 11, W4M; and

• commercial or secondary industrialdevelopment, on the east side of theAthabasca River, along Highway 63north to and including Sec. 1, Twp. 94,Rge. 10, W4M.

Mildred-Kearl Lakes RMA

38

crossings, significant wildlife habitats andviewing areas of special interest (e.g.,scenery, historic sites, wildlife viewing).

2. This referral system will also be applied to anyproposed developments that might adverselyaffect the Fort Hills future potential as aprovincial recreation area. Alberta Parks willmaintain the protective notation until such timeas recreation use warrants proceeding withpark establishment.

Wildlife

Objectives:

1. To maintain moose habitat and to rebuild thewintering moose population to at least 430animals from the present population ofapproximately 360.

2. To maintain, or to replace at another site(s),the waterfowl and fisheries habitat of KearlLake.

Guidelines:

1. Where development activities have a negativeimpact on important moose habitat (Appendix4), off-site habitat enhancement, or special on-site protective measures (particularly thoseconcerning harassment), may be required.

2. For lakes in this RMA (e.g., Kearl, CalumetCSec. 17,18, Twp. 97, Rge. 11, W5M), abackshore buffer shall be maintained toprotect waterfowl nesting, staging areas andfish spawning sites. If, however, a lake mustbe mined, a plan is required that will result infull replacement of the fish-spawning habitatand strive to replace waterfowl habitat. Aflexible approach will be used for the timingand location of habitat mitigation programs sothat off-site and post-disturbance habitatreplacement options can be considered.

Ecological Resources

See Broad “Ecological” Objectives (Section 3.10).

Access and Infrastructure

See Broad “Access” Objectives (Section 3.4).

Guidelines:

1. Proponents of oil sands developments on theeast side of the Athabasca River, whichrequire pipeline connections to the south, areencouraged to use the Athabasca Oil SandsMultiple Use Corridor proposed by AlbertaEnvironmental Protection.

2. Surface access leading to disposition, on landsreserved for a proposed provincial recreationarea at Fort Hills (located within Twp. 97,Rge. 10-11, W4M), will be permitted underconditions aimed at maintaining the recreationpotential, as specified by Alberta Parks.

Agriculture

Objectives:

See Broad “Agriculture” Objective (Section 3.5).

Guideline:

1. The merits of agricultural development onreclaimed lands, or on other suitable sites, willbe considered on a site-specific basis.

Recreation and Tourism

Objectives:

1. To promote opportunities for recreation andtourism activities (e.g., services, facilities andinterpretation) along provincial highways.

2. To maintain the recreation potential of the FortHills (located within Twp. 97, Rge. 10-11,W4M).

Guideline:

1. Alberta Economic Development and Tourism,will be included in the referral system for anyproposals that may adversely affect potentialroadside recreation and tourism opportunities.Such opportunities may include river or stream

Mildred-Kearl Lakes RMA

39

Guideline:

1. Any activity adjacent to La Saline NaturalArea (N 1/2 of 15, E 1/2 of 21 and 22, Twp.93, Rge. 10, W4M) must not disturb oradversely affect this provincial ecologicalresource.

Historical Resources

See Broad “Historical” Objective (Section 3.11).

Landscape Reclamation Strategy

The reclamation of land disturbed by regulatedindustrial activities initiated after September 1,1993, is governed by the Environmental Protectionand Enhancement Act and associated regulations.Large industrial operations must obtain approvalof their development and reclamation plans beforecommencement of the operation. Applications forsuch approval requires detailed planning to showhow reclamation will be achieved. Theapplication is subject to review by theInterdepartmental Development and ReclamationReview Committee, coordinated by AlbertaEnvironmental Protection.

Currently, disturbed lands must be reclaimed to astate that will allow sustained levels of useequivalent to that which existed beforedevelopment. Public land within the Green Areais typically reclaimed to a condition that willproduce forest growth similar to that whichexisted before development. In an effort towardachieving economic diversification, the potentialexists to explore alternative reclamationapproaches, particularly for those lands where oilsands extraction has occurred.

The reclamation strategy developed for Mildred-Kearl Lakes Resource Management Areaprovides a way to prepare and possibly amendreclamation plans and approvals as they arerequired. This strategy focuses on identifyingfuture land uses that may be considered during themore detailed reclamation planning process.

Objectives:

1. To develop a reclaimed land base of capabilityequivalent to a boreal forest environment andthat will support a range of activities,including timber harvesting, wildlife andfisheries habitat, extensive recreation andtraditional Aboriginal uses.

2. To develop a reclaimed land base that willencourage and support a diversity of wildlifespecies (e.g., waterfowl, shorebirds,furbearers, ungulates and others).

Guidelines:

1. Disturbed forested lands shall be reclaimed toa level of capability equivalent to that whichexisted before disturbance. Wherecommercial forest is the reclamation objective,the capability will be measured in terms ofmeeting reforestation standards.

2. Commercial timber harvesting potential willnormally be replaced on a project basis.

3. Following surface disturbance, the land shouldbe reclaimed in a manner that re-establishes awatershed that resembles and functions as anatural system. The restructured soil profileshall be capable of supporting a variety ofnative vegetation.

4. Revegetation to a mixedwood boreal forest,using native species, will be the primarymeans by which the land base is reclaimed.The reclaimed land base will be capable ofsupporting a variety of uses, including timberharvesting, extensive recreation, traditionalnative activities, wildlife habitat (includingfisheries and waterfowl) and watersheds.

Reclamation shall:

(a) ensure that areas reforested forcommercial timber harvesting aresituated on lands that will maintain thiscapacity on a sustainable basis;

(b) recognize the importance of the rivervalleys in the Athabasca-Clearwater

Mildred-Kearl Lakes RMA

40

RMA and re-establish ecosystemconnections between reclaimed areasand the river valleys;

(c) use a wide variety of native tree speciesand understory vegetation; leave smallopenings throughout revegetated areas;and

(d) encourage the development of permanentponds, sloughs and small lakes, with andwithout connecting streams and with andwithout the ascent meadows.

5. Future uses of reclaimed land, should also becompatible with existing and planned uses foradjacent lands.

(a) The final alignment for any permanentroad constructed through reclaimed landshould attempt to link existing andplanned resource/land use developmentopportunities and also take advantage ofopportunities such as scenic views oflakes/wetlands, river valleys and uplandareas. Reclamation activity adjacent topermanent roads should also considermaintenance or enhancement of wildlifehabitat and scenic values.

(b) Alternative land uses such as agriculture(e.g., market gardening, wild rice, treefarming), commercial recreation (e.g.,golf courses, OHV parks) and secondaryindustry (e.g., sawmill, cement plant) maybe considered, provided that suitableaccess to provincial highways, localmarkets and suitable soil conditions areevident. In addition, other relatedconcerns identified by the Developmentand Reclamation Review Committee(coordinated by Alberta EnvironmentalProtection) and the Municipality of WoodBuffalo should have been addressed.

(c) Areas within approximately 1.5 km of apermanent road, may be reclaimed to avariety of landforms to accommodate arange of potential alternative land uses.

During reclamation planning, landformprovisions should be made to consider thefollowing land use activities:

Agriculture:

To accommodate potential agriculturalactivities (e.g., grazing, bison ranching,wild rice, berry production), varied soiland drainage conditions should beconsidered.

Commercial Recreation:

To accommodate commercial recreationactivities, flat, well-drained sites nearinfrastructure should be considered.Some activities may require sites inproximity to populated areas and/ornatural or man-made attractions (e.g.,lakes, river valleys, and wildlife-viewing,historic or interpretive sites).

Secondary Industry:

To accommodate secondary industrydevelopment, flat, well-drained sites nearinfrastructure and population centresshould be considered. Although theplanning of industrial sites may varyaccording to the type of activity, a visualscreen should be put in place betweenthe industrial site and the highway.

Country Residential:

To accommodate country residentialdevelopment, residential sites should beconsidered on areas with rollingtopography and panoramic views within atreed landscape that avoids high-watertables, and that are buffeted fromadjacent adverse conditions (e.g.,highway noise, and resource extraction).

6. Developers of larger projects should continueto contribute to research and development inland reclamation technology, that will reducedisturbances and protect the environment.Such contributions may either be on an

Mildred-Kearl Lakes RMA

41

individual or a shared basis (e.g., Alberta OilSands Technology and Research Authority,Reclamation Research Technical AdvisoryCommittee).

4.5 Stony-Birch Resource ManagementArea

This RMA is situated predominantly in thesouthern portion of the planning area (Figure 2),and it contains the highest elevations in theplanning area, notably the Stony Mountain Uplandand Birch Mountain. Road access in the RMA isprovided by Highways 63, 69, 881, the FortChipewyan winter road, resource roads and theservice roads to the lookout towers at ThickwoodHills and the Stony Mountain.

The Stony-Birch RMA contains many of thesame boreal forest characteristics foundelsewhere in this planning area. It differs from theMildred-Kearl Lakes RMA in that the oil sandsdeposits are deep and require in situ extractiontechniques. Consequently, large-scalereclamation activity is not anticipated becauseextensive surface areas will not be disturbed.Development activity is expected to focus on avariety of resources including coniferous anddeciduous timber, natural gas and in situ oil sandproduction.

There are some important locations to berecognized for their current and futurerecreational value. In the remote northwestcorner of the planning area, Birch Mountainprovides opportunities for wilderness recreationexperiences. The more accessible StonyMountain Uplands in the south contain recreationfacilities at Maqua Lake and have been identifiedas a suitable location for a trail system. Thesignificant change in topography of the uplandsalso provides scenic views of surroundingcountryside. Similarly, the Thickwood Hills area,west of Fort McMurray, provides additionalopportunities for extensive recreation.Development planning should consider thepotential impact on these features as well as onSurmont Creek, the principal source of water forGregoire Lake.

Management Intent:

To manage the exploration, extraction and/ordevelopment of a range of resources whilerecognizing opportunities associated with thewildlife, fisheries and other ecological valuesin the RMA.

Mineral Resources and Surface Materials

Objectives:

1. To maintain opportunities for mineral resourceexploration and encourage development in amanner that minimizes conflict with otherresources and land uses in the RMA.

2. To encourage the development of in situ oilsands recovery and the production of bitumenfrom deeper oil sands formations in the RMA.

Guideline:

1. If mineral resource activity is proposed in theThickwood Hills, Birch Mountain and StonyMountain Upland areas, the developmentproposal, including site selection, should bedesigned to minimize the impacts on wildlandrecreational resources.

Forest Resources

Objectives (Commercial Timber):

1. To enhance timber production through the useof drainage and other intensive forestmanagement practices, while maintainingwatershed protection.

2. To harvest timber resources in a manner thatensures the aesthetic qualities and recreationalopportunities on the Stony Mountain Uplandcan be maintained.

Guidelines (Commercial Timber):

1. Alberta Land and Forest Service will continueto select and manage sites for improved woodquality and timber productivity, withconsideration for watershed integrity. Iftimber harvesting activities are proposed in the

Stony-Birch RMA

42

Thickwood Hills, Birch Mountain and StonyMountain upland areas, the developmentproposal, including site selection, should bedesigned to minimize the impacts on wildlandrecreational resources.

2. On the Stony Mountain Upland, timberharvesting on the west- and northwest-facingslopes (Twp. 85, Rge. 9) will occur usinglandscape logging techniques as defined in theForest Landscape Management Strategies forAlberta (Alberta 1990) and the principlescontained in the Timber Harvest CutblockDesign (Alberta 1981). Timber harvestingshall not be permitted within 30 m of therecreation area at Maqua Lake on the StonyMountain Upland.

Settlement

Objective:

See Broad “Settlement” Objective (Section 3.3).

Guidelines:

1. Subject to the availability of adequateinfrastructure (including sewage disposalfacilities), country residential development(including seasonal cottages) will beconsidered only after the existing subdivisionat Saprae Creek is developed as prescribed inSection 3.3, Broad “Settlement” Guideline #2.Preferred locations where the merits of sucha development may be considered are:

• north of Anzac (E 1/2 Sec. 19, W 1/2Sec. 30, Twp. 86, Rge. 7, W4M);

• the Thickwood Hills area (west of FortMcMurray); and,

• the Stony Mountain Uplands (overlookingGregoire Lake).

2. Commercial and secondary industrialdevelopment will adhere to the “Recreationand Tourism” guideline (#2) in this section.

3. Commercial development proposals will beconsidered only in the vicinity of the junctionof Highways 63 and 881 (NW 1/4 Sec. 1 andNW 1/4 Sec. 2, Twp. 87, Rge. 9, W4M).

Access and Infrastructure

Objectives:

1. To maintain or improve existing access torecreation and tourism opportunities.

2. To ensure that new access also servesrecreation and tourism opportunities.

Guidelines:

1. With any resource development, steps shouldbe taken, during the referral process, to ensurethat access to recreation opportunities aremaintained.

2. In the Thickwood Hills, Birch Mountain or theStony Mountain Uplands, route selectionsmust avoid or minimize impacts on wildlandrecreational resources.

Agriculture

Objectives:

See Broad “ Agriculture” Objective (Section 3.5).

Guideline:

1. The merits of agricultural activity will beconsidered on a site-specific basis.

Recreation and Tourism

Objectives:

1. To ensure the recreation and tourism potentialis not adversely affected by other types ofdevelopment in the Thickwood Hills or theBirch Mountain and Stony Mountain Uplands.

2. To ensure that the type and location ofcommercial and industrial development will notlimit, preclude or otherwise adversely affectroadside recreational or tourism opportunities.

Guidelines:

1. Potential impact from increased access orresource development in the Thickwood Hills,

Stony-Birch RMA

43

or the Birch Mountain and Stony MountainUplands will be addressed by the followingguidelines in this section:

• Mineral Resources Guideline #1;• Forest Resources Guideline #2; and• Access Guidelines #1 and #2.

2. Alberta Economic Development and Tourismwill be included in the referral process for anyproposals that may adversely effect potentialroadside recreation or tourism opportunities.Such opportunities may include river or streamcrossings, significant wildlife habitats andviewing areas of special interest.

Water Resources

See Broad “Water” Objectives (Section 3.7).

Guideline:

1. Special protective measures to preserve waterquality in Surmont Creek (the primary sourceof water for Gregoire Lake) will be applied toany development activities located in thecreek’s watershed.

Wildlife

Objectives:

1. To maintain the limited number of waterfowlfound in this RMA.

2. To maintain the moose habitat and to rebuildthe wintering moose population to at least 575,from the present population of approximately280 moose.

3. To maintain habitat that will continue tosupport the transient caribou that wander intothe area from important caribou rangenearby.

Guidelines:

1. Developments will not be allowed on oradjacent to Anzac Lake (Sec. 15, LSDs1,2,3,4, of Sec. 22, Twp. 86, Rge. 7, W4M),which serves as important waterfowl habitat,unless it can be demonstrated that the

development will not adversely affect thevalue of the area to waterfowl.

2. Special protective measures, including accesscontrol and mid-to-late winter timingconstraints on all industrial activity, will berequired to maintain the moose population andthe integrity of the high-and medium-qualitymoose habitat that occupies the following sites(Appendix 4):

• lands 4.0 km (2.5 mi.) north of, and 2.4km (1.5 mi.) south of the Christina andClearwater rivers;

• Twp. 85, Rges. 7-9, and west 1/2 of Twp.86, Rge. 9, W4M;

• Twps. 85-87, west of the HangingstoneRiver; and

• south 2/3 of Twp. 89, Rge. 10 and thelands between Horse and Athabascarivers.

5.0 PLAN MANAGEMENT

5.1 Recommended Implementation Tasksand Strategies

This section provides agencies responsible foradministering various components of the plan withrecommendations on achieving the objectivesidentified in the plan. These recommendations arebased on information or policy deficienciesidentified during the planning process. The tasksidentified below should be given consideration,particularly when annual reviews of budgets andpriorities by participating management agenciesare underway.

1. Alberta Environmental Protection, inconjunction with the Municipality of WoodBuffalo, should identify potentially feasiblelocations in the Stony-Birch RMA wherecountry residential development could beaccommodated. Some possible locations are inthe Anzac-Gregoire Lake vicinity (E 1/2 Sec.19, W 1/2 sec. 30, Twp. 86, Rge. 7, W4M),the Thickwood Hills area and possibly portionsof Stony Mountain. Detailed site-planning(e.g., plan of subdivision) could occur later, ifwarranted by sufficient demand.

Stony-Birch RMA

44

2. Alberta Environmental Protection, inconjunction with the Municipality of WoodBuffalo, should further evaluate the“commercial/industrial” site under reservationat Sec. 1, Twp. 94, Rge. 11, W4M andprepare a site plan to ensure efficientimplementation, if the site is to be developed.

3. Alberta Land and Forest Service should placethe original Northeast Energy Corridor (NorthSegment), and the more recently endorsedAthabasca Oil Sands Multiple Use Corridor,under a common protective notation. Thereservation should focus upon the corridor,from Twp. 88 to Twp. 95, in the Athabasca-Clearwater, Mildred-Kearl Lakes and Stony-Birch RMAs.

4. Government agencies responsible for variousaspects of recreation management shouldattempt to clarify and coordinate their rolesand responsibilities before a number of studiesare undertaken. These studies include thefollowing:

• establishing a planning strategy for rivervalley development that considers localdemand for extensive recreation. Thestudy should assess locations for riveraccess and appropriate facilities such asmarinas, campgrounds, boat launches,parking and a system of trails (hiking,equestrian, biking, etc.). A primecandidate area in which to initiate such astrategy is a portion of the ClearwaterRiver valley (Athabasca-ClearwaterRMA) adjacent to the city of FortMcMurray.

• identifying present and future demandson Gregoire Lake within the GregoireLake RMA; and

• identifying potential roadside recreationand tourism opportunities, particularlyalong existing or planned provincialhighways in the Mildred-Kearl Lakes andStony-Birch RMAs.

5. Existing development and reclamation plans inthe Mildred-Kearl Lakes RMA should bereviewed to ensure that Reclamation Strategy-

Section 4.4 has been taken into consideration.

6. Alberta Environmental Protection and otheraffected agencies should, in the context of thevision outlined in the Special Places 2000:Managing Alberta’s Natural Heritagedocument, review the boundaries for the “FortHills” Crown Reservation (Twp. 97, Rge. 10-11, W4M).

7. The Alberta Government should conduct aninteragency review of “nationally orprovincially” significant natural features thathave been identified (Westworth 1990) withinthe following areas:

Nationally Significant:

• Athabasca River Tar Sands Reach (Twp.95, Rge. 11, W4M)

Provincially Significant:

• McClelland Lake Patterned Fen (Twp.97, Rge. 9, W4M, and Twp. 98, Rge. 9,W4M) See Appendix 5

• Eymundson Sinkholes on Pierre River(Twp. 98, Rge. 11, W4M)

• Ells River - Oxbows and diversevegetation (Twp 95, Rge. 11 and 12W4M).

• Firebag River - Landform Diversity(Twp. 98, Rge. 7 W4M).

• Clearwater River - Candidate HeritageRiver (Twp. 89, Rge. 9 W4M and Twp.88, Rge. 7 and 8, W4M)

8. Alberta Environmental Protection, inconjunction with the Fort MacKay InterfaceCommittee [consisting of the Fort McKayIndian Band, industry and other governmentagencies] should consider undertaking atraditional land use study on new areas beingaffected by industrial activity. For those areasalready disturbed, but not yet reclaimed, landuse options (e.g., berry patches, bisonranching) should be considered on a site-specific basis in accordance with theLandscape Reclamation guidelines in theMildred-Kearl Lakes RMA.

45

5.2 Administering the Plan

General administrative procedures andmechanisms required for plan implementation,monitoring and amendment are outlined in thissection.

General Administration

The Fort McMurray-Athabasca Oil SandsSubregional Integrated Resource Plan will beimplemented within the terms of the appropriatelegislation, regular programs and activities of thegovernment, including operational plans, specificdevelopment projects and referral processes.Direction specific to the resource managementareas will assist in assessing applications for landuse activities on public land. Existing systems forreferral and interdepartmental review will apply tothe plan. Resources will continue to beadministered by the departments responsible, inline with the provisions of the plan includingresource management guidelines and anysubsequent operational plans.

Government agencies participating in the FortMcMurray-Athabasca Oil Sands SubregionalIntegrated Resource Plan have severalresponsibilities for ensuring the effective deliveryof this plan. It will be their responsibility to dealwith conflicts or concerns with respect toimplementation or interpretation of any of theplan’s provisions. These responsibilities areoutlined by subject area below:

Referral Systems:

Participating government agencies will ensure thatthe existing referral systems of the Albertagovernment are adequate to encompass allaffected or concerned agencies.

Plan Monitoring:

The Fort McMurray-Athabasca Oil SandsSubregional Integrated Resource Plan will bereviewed annually by the Northeast BorealEnvironmental Resource Committee with thefollowing purposes:

• to assess the relevancy of the stated resourceobjectives in light of changing conditions;

• to assess the resource management guidelinesand referral procedures;

• to assess agency operational plans to ensuretheir consistency with the Fort McMurray-Athabasca Oil Sands resource managementarea intents, objectives and guidelines; and

• to recommend amendments to the FortMcMurray-Athabasca Oil Sands IRP andfuture actions required to maintain or promotegovernment resource management activities inthe planning area.

An annual report will be prepared by theNortheast Boreal Environmental ResourceCommittee. The report will highlight the previousyear’s activities in the planning area. It will alsoindicate what accomplishments are anticipated inthe planning area during the following year. Thereport may be deferred if there is a lack ofactivity or progress on government resourcemanagement objectives in the planning area.

On a periodic basis (approximately every fiveyears), an overall assessment of this integratedresource plan will be conducted by the NortheastBoreal Environmental Resource Committee. Thefive-year assessment is a comprehensive reviewto determine whether the plan requires changesand to determine the extent of changes required toupdate the plan. If the plan is no longer found tobe current, a major plan review will occur.

A major plan review will be initiated by theNortheast Boreal Environmental ResourceCommittee when the plan becomes outdatedbecause of significant changes and new priorities.A major plan review would include the following:

• a comprehensive assessment of all aspects ofthe plan, including, but not limited to, resourcemanagement objectives and guidelines,resource management area boundaries andintents;

• a public review on the same basis as thepublic involvement program for developmentof new integrated resource plans; and

46

• a statement recommending amendments to theplan and future actions required to maintain orpromote government resource managementactivities in the planning area.

Amendment Procedures:

Changes to the planning area boundary, intents,the broad resource management objectives andguidelines, and the resource management areaboundaries and intents that would result insignificant changes to the allowed resource usesor priorities will require major amendment to theFort McMurray-Athabasca Oil Sands IntegratedResource Plan. An amendment to the plan maybe required as a result of an annual report, five-year assessment, a major plan review,government request or a request from anindividual, group or organization outside thegovernment.

Proposed amendments to the Fort McMurray-Athabasca Oil Sands Integrated Resource Planfrom outside the government should be made byformal application. Plan amendment guidelinesfor integrated resource plans are available uponrequest. Completed applications can be directedto the Northeast Boreal Environmental ResourceCommittee.

Opportunities for public review of proposedamendments to the Fort McMurray-AthabascaOil Sands Integrated Resource Plan will beprovided before changes are approved by thegovernment. A decision on requests to amend anintegrated resource plan will be endorsed by theMinister of Alberta Environmental Protection orhis designate. Amendments that entail a majorpolicy decision or a change to the basic intent ofthe plan may be forwarded by the Minister ofEnvironmental Protection to Cabinet Committeefor approval.

47

REFERENCES

Advisory Committee on Heavy Oil and Oil Sands Development. 1985. “Roads to Resources - ADiscussion Paper”. Edmonton, Alberta.

Alberta Energy and Natural Resources. 1982 Fish and Wildlife Policy for Alberta. Edmonton, Alberta

Alberta Forestry, Lands and Wildlife. 1981. Timber Harvest Cutblock Design. Edmonton, Alberta.

Alberta Forestry, Lands and Wildlife. 1986. Athabasca Oil Sands Multiple Use Corridor Study - CorridorSelection Process. Edmonton, Alberta.

Alberta Forestry, Lands and Wildlife. 1990. Forest Landscape Management Strategies for Alberta.Edmonton, Alberta.

Alberta Municipal Affairs. 1986. Fort McMurray Fringe Area Planning Study. Edmonton, Alberta.

1993. Gregoire Lake Area Structure Plan and Background Report. Edmonton, Alberta

Alberta Recreation and Parks. 1980. An Outdoor Recreation Plan for Northeast Alberta 1980 - 2000.Edmonton, Alberta.

City of Fort McMurray. 1986. City of Fort McMurray Economic Development Plan

Dabbs Environmental Services, and Nichols Applied Management. 1987. Environmental ImpactAssessment for the Expansion of the Syncrude Canada Ltd. Mildred Lake Project. Edmonton, Alberta.

Fort McKay Indian Band. 1986. An Issues Assessment For Concerns Regarding Ongoing Oil SandsDevelopment and the Community of Fort MacKay, Fort MacKay, Alberta.

James, S.A. 1980. What’s Your Hurry Fort McMurray, The Physical Development of the Oil SandsTown. Dept. of Geography, Carleton University.

Mackenzie Spencer Associates. 1980a. “Proposed Fort McMurray Subregional Plan.” Northeast AlbertaRegional Commission. Edmonton, Alberta.

1980b. “New Town General Municipal Plan.” Northeast Alberta Regional Commission. Edmonton,Alberta.

Northeast Alberta Regional Commission. 1976. “Northeast Alberta Regional Plan”. Edmonton, Alberta.

Panell Kerr Forster Management Consultants. 1988. City of Fort McMurray Tourism Marketing Strategyand Plan - Draft Final Plan. Edmonton, Alberta.

Randall Conrad and Associates. 1988. Athabasca River Basin Planning Program: Water-BasedRecreation Component. Alberta Environment. Edmonton, Alberta.

Roman Consulting Services Ltd. 1986. Lakeland Tourism Destination Area Study. Edmonton, Alberta.

Russwurm, L.G. and C. R. Bryant. 1982. The City’s Countryside: Land and It’s Management in theRural-Urban Fringe. McLellan, Longman Group Limited, New York.

48

1977. The Surroundings of Our Cities. Community Planning Press. Ottawa, Ontario.

Van Dyke, E.W. and C. Loberg. 1978. Community Studies: Fort McMurray, Anzac, Fort MacKay. Prep.for the Alberta Oil Sands Environmental Research Program (AOSERP Report 37). Edmonton, Alberta.

Westworth, D.A. 1990. Significant Natural Features of the Eastern Boreal Forest Region of Alberta.Edmonton, Alberta.

49

GLOSSARY

Agricultural Development: Includes improved grazing, forage or crop production, and marketgardening.

Airport Vicinity Protection Area: An area surrounding an airport in which the use and developmentof land is controlled by regulation under the Municipal Government Act.

Annual Allowable Cut (Access): The total volume of timber that may be harvested in one year basedunder sustained-yield management.

Archaeological Resource: “... a work of man that (i) is primarily of value for its prehistoric, cultural orscientific significance, and (ii) is or was buried or partially buried in land in Alberta or submerged beneaththe surface of any watercourse or permanent body of water in Alberta.” As recognized by AlbertaCommunity Development.

Buffer: A strip of vegetated land adjacent to watercourses, mineral licks or other important features, thatis maintained or managed to provide visual screening or hiding cover for wildlife and/or watershedprotection.

Camping:

Auto accessible refers to a formally designated camping facility that is accessible to normalvehicles from designated highways or improved roads.

Primitive: refers to an undesignated camping facility that is accessible only by nonmotorized means.

Random: refers to an undesignated area, used for camping, that is accessible by any means.

Commercial Development:

Recreational development refers to all activities and infrastructure associated with thedevelopment of facilities for use by the general public, including fixed-roof recreation accommodationssuch as hunting, fishing, skiing and backcountry lodges; hotels, motels, apartments, townhouses andcottages; and commercial recreational activities involving facilities such as ski hills and golf coursesowned and/or operated by either the private or public sector.

Highway commercial development refers to those uses that are located adjacent to majorhighways and meet the needs of the travelling public. Examples include service stations, roadsiderestaurants, motels, trailer parks and campgrounds.

Consumptive Use: Activities that directly deplete the resource - e.g., hunting, logging and mining.

Corridor: A continuous strip of land connecting two geographically separate points and containing twoor more facilities for the conveyance of people, energy, information or materials. Such a definition coversrailways, highways, pipelines, communication and transmission facilities.

Country Residential: Rural, non-farm development (including seasonal cottaging) that takes place, onsmall land holdings near settlement areas as part of an Area Structure Plan (ASP).

50

Critical Habitat: The locality, site and particular type of local environment that is crucial to the size,distribution or stability of a wildlife or fish population. Loss of such habitat would result in a drastic declineor elimination of a population.

Crude Bitumen: A naturally occurring viscous mixture of hydrocarbons that, in its naturally occurringstate, is not recoverable at a commercial rate through a well.

Disposition: Any conveyance, assurance, sale lease, licence, permit, contract or agreement made,entered into, or issued, pursuant to the Public Lands Act (RSA, 1980).

Ecological Resources: Areas managed by specific programs of the Alberta government, including theEcological Reserves and Natural Areas programs. In the general sense, ecological resources andassociated ecological processes not addressed in these program areas are covered wherever appropriatethroughout this document.

Environmental Impact Assessment: The preparation of a report by the proponent of an activity aspart of the approval requirements under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.

Environmental Resource Committee: A committee of regional directors representing each of theservices of Alberta Environmental Protection and other agency representatives. This committee reviewsplanning documents, pertaining to the Northeast Region and has the primary responsibility forimplementing approved plans.

Fen: Peatland comprising neutral to acidic accumulations of organic material, mainly derived fromsedges. A mineral-rich water table persists very near the surface.

Forest Land Base: Land considered to be capable of contributing to the social and economic welfareof the province if it is predominantly maintained under forest management.

Forest Management Agreement (FMA): An agreement between the Province of Alberta and atimber company granting authority to the company to manage and harvest timber. The FMAs are usuallycontingent on the company agreeing to construct a large wood-processing facility, and agreeing tomanage the FMA by sound forest management principles approved by the Alberta Land and ForestService. The FMAs are awarded by Cabinet.

Forest Management Unit (FMU): An area of forested land located in the Green Area of theprovince, to be managed for sustained timber yield. Forest Management Units are established by theMinister of Environmental Protection.

Grazing Permit: A short-term disposition that expires December 31 following the date of issue,although it may be renewed several times. Permits are usually issued for land where other types of usesare not well established. Grazing is allowed until such time as more permanent land-use decisions aremade. Grazing permits confer exclusive grazing rights in the permit area.

Highway commercial development: See Commercial Development

Historic Resource: Any work of nature or of man that is primarily of value for its palaeotological,archaeological, prehistoric, historic, cultural, natural, scientific or aesthetic interest. As defined by AlbertaCommunity Development.

51

Historic Site: “... any site which includes or is comprised of an historical resource of immovable natureor which cannot be disassociated from its content without destroying some or all of its value as ahistorical resource and includes a prehistoric, historic or natural site or structure,” as recognized byAlberta Community Development.

Historical Resource Impact Assessment: Projects normally conducted when development programsare anticipated to cause ground surface disturbance within the province of Alberta. The objectives ofsuch projects are to locate all historical resource sites to be affected by the development, evaluate theworth of such sites relative to Alberta’s historical resources as a whole, determine the nature of theimpact of the development on individual sites, and propose conservation procedures for those sites likelyto be affected by the development. As defined by Alberta Community Development.

Hunting: The stalking of any wild animal for recreational and management purposes as a source offood.

Improved Grazing: Grazing lands that have had productivity enhanced by clearing and establishingtame forage species and/or various range maintenance projects; such as brush regrowth control,crossfencing, drainage, etc.

Industrial Development: All activities and infrastructure associated with the development of anindustrial base to accommodate and service the extraction, removal and processing of nonrenewableresources.

In Situ Recovery: Refers to methods of extracting the fuel component of an oil sand deposit withoutremoving the deposit from its bed.

Intensive Forest Management: Management of the forest resource to obtain a high level of timbervolume per unit area through the application of silviculture and forest management techniques.

Landscape Logging:

(a) Identifying and rating the visual importance of present and potential timber harvesting operations.

(b) Ensuring that timber harvesting operations blend with the natural landscape in areas where thereis a concern for visual quality.

Logging: All activities associated with the mechanical removal and transport of timber for manufactureinto forest products.

Market Gardening: The growing of vegetables or fruit for commercial purposes.

Natural Areas: A Natural Area is one type of legislatively protected area in Alberta, set aside byAlberta Environmental Protection under the authority of the Wilderness, Ecological Reserves and NaturalAreas Act. Natural Areas have, as their primary objective, the maintenance of their natural featureswhile allowing for appropriate public use.

Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV): Motorized vehicle used for cross-country travel on land, water or snow.This category includes four-wheel-drive vehicles, motorcycles, track vehicles and snow vehicles. Off-highway vehicles do not include helicopters, motorboats, airplanes or mountain bikes (Off-HighwayVehicle Act 1980, c. 0-4).

52

Oil Sands: Sand and other rock material containing crude bitumen; the crude bitumen contained in thosesands and other rock materials; and any other material substances other than natural gas, in associationwith that crude bitumen or those sands and other rock materials.

Paleontological Resource: “... a work of nature consisting of or containing evidence of extinctmulticellular beings and includes those works or classes of works of nature designated by the regulationsas paleontological resources.” As defined by Alberta Community Development.

Preliminary Disclosure: A means by which both the private and public sectors may make majordevelopment proposals, on a confidential basis, to government.

Public Land: Land which is under the administration of the Minister of Environmental Protection. Titleto the beds and shores of all rivers, streams, watercourses, lakes and other bodies of water is declared tobe vested in the Crown in right of Alberta and under the administration of the Minister of EnvironmentalProtection, unless otherwise specified.

Reclamation: All practical and reasonable methods of designing and conducting an activity to ensurethe return of equivalent land capability. Land capability means the ability of the land to support a givenland use regardless of future management inputs. It refers to an evaluation or rating of the kind anddegree of limitations on land use in terms of physical, chemical and biological characteristics such astopography, drainage, hydrology, soils and vegetation. The return of equivalent land capability means thatthe ability to support various land uses is similar to that which existed before the activity, but that theability to support individual land uses will not necessarily be identical after reclamation.

Recreation:

Extensive recreation refers to the recreational use of trails, natural lakes, rivers, streams andgenerally undeveloped or minimally developed areas. The term includes such activities as off-highwayvehicle use, random camping, hiking, backpacking, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, horseback riding andcross-country skiing.

Intensive recreation refers to high-density recreational use such as developed staging areas andcamp and picnic grounds, and other sites or areas requiring continuous recreational management andservices to maintain recreational opportunities.

Referral System: The Alberta government has established formal mechanisms for the internal reviewof land use applications originating within itself and the private sector. Government management agenciesthat are concerned or affected by provisions of an application participate in the review. Eachmanagement agency, subsequent to the review, files its recommendation for the approval or rejection ofthe application. These positions are coordinated by a lead agency (e.g., “one window” approach), which,in turn, provides the proponent with a comprehensive decision.

Reservation System: An administrative system to record, in the department’s official land records, aspecial interest any government agency has in the management of specified parcels of public land. Landreservations formally recognize that interest without granting disposition. Reservations are sometimescalled notations. They identify and record areas that the department agrees are required for conservation,development or management. Reservations also provide for specified management priority over a parcelof land by a designated agency. Reservations may protect land for soils and water conservation, preventcertain uses, or reserve land for certain purposes, such as wildlife habitat, timber or recreation.

53

Residential Subdivisions: All activities and infrastructure associated with permanent housingsubdivisions for residents.

Salvage Cutting: A cutting to remove dead, downed and injured trees before the timber becomesunmerchantable.

Secondary Industry: Industrial uses that are clearly and directly related to and necessary for theoperations of a resource-based industry including industrial activities which are not directly involved in theextraction or processing of natural resources. Such uses include warehousing, storage, manufacturing andequipment repair.

Surface Materials: Defined as clay, marl, sand, gravel, silica sand, topsoil and peat as defined in thePublic Lands Act, Surface Material Regulations

Sustained Yield Timber Management: The balancing of timber growth and harvesting production toensure continued forest productivity at a given level of management without impairing the productivity ofthe land.

Tourism: The action and activities of people taking trips to places outside their home communities forany purpose except daily commuting to and from work, and excluding trips for the purpose of business.

Traditional Use: The continual use of an area over a long period of time by Aboriginal people forgathering, hunting and spiritual use.

Trapping: Sustained yield harvest of furbearing animals for the commercial production of fur.

Unimproved Range: Rangelands that have had no or minimal modifications to enhance rangeproductivity, or which have no or minimal capacity for enhancement.

Wetlands: Lands that are seasonally or permanently covered by shallow water as well as lands wherethe water table is close to or near the surface.

Wildfire: An unplanned or unwanted natural or man-caused fire.

54

APPENDICES

Appendix 1. Projected Population of Fort McMurray to 2001

Options 1986 1991 1996 2001

(Actual) ——————Projected———————

A 34949 35712 35573 35162

B --- 37648 42024 42027

C --- --- --- 44199

Option A - Without a Project” assumes natural growth, using a cohort survival model, withoutmigration to maintain a constant population in the 15-64 age group.

Option B - “Syncrude Expansion” assumes 95 percent of operating/pre-operating work force, 95percent of the Syncrude construction-term employees and 20 percent of the site construction force willreside in Fort McMurray. It is based on an indirect employment multiplier of 0.5 in early years growing to1.0 in later years for each direct job created. Assumes 2.246 persons per employed adult (5 percentunemployment rate); natural growth estimated using a cohort survival model.

Source: Prepared by Nichols Applied Management for the Environmental Impact Assessment for theSyncrude Canada Ltd. Mildred Lake Project.

Option C - OSLO (Other Six Leases Operation):

The 2001 population projection was calculated by adding the average of OSLO’s high (10 800) and low(7700) Population increase estimates for 1998 to the actual 1986 base population. These increases werebased on an estimated permanent workforce of 2000 employees. Population figures for 1991 and 1996based on the construction workforce were unavailable.

Source: The OSLO Project, February 1990.

55

Appendix 2. Legislation and Associated Direction

Numerous government directives must be considered when developing an integrated resource plan. Themost significant directions for this plan are discussed below.

Green Area

In 1989, public land in Alberta was reclassified (Ministerial Order 15/89) into the White Area (settlementlands) and the Green Area (predominantly forested lands).

The Green Area, originally established in 1948 by Alberta Order in Council 213/48, consists basically ofthe unsettled forest lands and covers 53 percent of the total area of the province of Alberta. Public landin the Green Area is managed primarily for forest production, watershed protection, fish and wildlife,recreation and other uses. Permanent settlement, except on legally subdivided lands, as well asagricultural uses other than grazing, have been excluded (Alberta Public Lands [Alberta 1981a]). Thisplanning area does not currently contain any public land under the White Area classification.

Municipal Government Act

The Municipal Government Act (1995) provides for the planning and regulation of land uses and thepattern of settlement in Alberta. Most private development, whether private or public land, falls under thejurisdiction of the Act and any statutory plans adopted pursuant to it (e.g., Municipal Development Plan,Area Structure Plan). The Crown is not bound by the Municipal Government Act, but occupants ofpublic land, other than the Crown, are. Accordingly, permits for private developments falling within thescope of the Act must be issued by the appropriate local authority. The plans in the planning areacurrently adopted pursuant to this Act or the preceding planning legislation (the Planning Act) are the FortMcMurray General Municipal Plan, Gregoire Lake, Anzac and Saprae Creek Area Structure plans.

Improvement District No.18 - Land Use Order No. 2

The Improvement District No. 18 Land Use Order No.2, approved in 1984 by the Minister of MunicipalAffairs, is intended to regulate and control the use and development of land and buildings to achieve theorderly and economic development of land within the portion of the Municipality of Wood Buffalo whichwas formerly Improvement District No. 18-North. The order will eventually be replaced by a land-usebylaw covering the entire Municipality of Wood Buffalo.

Mines and Mineral Act

The Mines and Minerals Act applies to all mines, minerals and related resources vested in, or belongingto, the Crown in right of Alberta. Under authority of the Act, the administration, exploration anddevelopment of the provinces mineral resources are regulated to encourage their orderly development byindustry and to maximize benefits to the province and Albertans. Regulations and policies are designed tostimulate mineral development, providing revenue to the developer, and taxes and royalties to theprovince. Except for the Exploration Regulation administered by the Department of EnvironmentalProtection, the Mines and Minerals Act is administered by the Department of Energy.

56

Fish and Wildlife Policy for Alberta

The Fish and Wildlife Policy for Alberta was approved by Cabinet and released in October 1982. Thispolicy provides general direction regarding outdoor recreation, wildlife resources, fisheries resources andregulatory aspects of fish and wildlife use. The Fish and Wildlife Policy calls for preparation ofcomprehensive 10-year fish and wildlife resource management plans. Meeting the objectives stated in thisplan will achieve a portion of the overall fish and wildlife projected demand targets identified in the Statusof Fish and Wildlife Resource in Alberta (1984).

Wilderness Areas, Ecological Reserves and Natural Areas Act

The Wilderness Areas, Ecological Reserves and Natural Areas Act (1984) consolidated the policycontext for these three separate programs under one Act.

Ecological reserves are to be designated to protect representative landscapes of the province. This Actprovides the public with the opportunity to submit recommendations regarding designation of wildernessareas and ecological reserves.

Natural Areas, which are scattered throughout the province, were previously established under the PublicLands Act or were simply under reservation. These areas have a broader set of acceptable uses thanecological reserves or wilderness areas, including recreation, education and conservation uses.

Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act

The Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (1994) consolidated eight previous pieces oflegislation under one Act.

The purpose of the Act is to support and promote the protection, enhancement and wise use of theenvironment and creates a framework in a single act that takes an integrated approach to protection ofair, land and water. One of the act’s cornerstones is the guarantee of public participation in decisionsaffecting the environment. This public involvement includes increased access to information, participationin the Environmental Assessment and Approval Processes and the right, when directly affected, to appealcertain decisions.

Under the new legislation, those who operate or propose developments will be subject to firm but fairrequirements that clearly spell out their environmental responsibilities. The Act establishes a legislatedprocess for environmental assessments. This will ensure that potential environmental impacts areidentified early in the planning process. At the same time, project proponents will benefit from anintegrated one-window approval process.

57

58

Appendix 4 - Wintering Moose Habitat Quality

59

Appendix 5 - McClelland Lake Wetlands Complex