Fort Air Partnership 11 Apr 2005

Beaver Hills Beaver Hills InitiativeInitiative

Planning forPlanning for a a Sustainable FutureSustainable Future

Fort Air Partnership 11 Apr 2005

Overview

• History of the BHI

• Role of the BHI

• Landscape Management Principles

• Data Available

• Next Steps for BHI

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History of the BHI

• Initiated in 2000 by Elk Island National Park

• Contacted municipalities to discuss common land use planning issues and approaches

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Partnering Organizations

• Municipal government:– Strathcona, Lamont, Leduc, Beaver Counties

• Federal government– Elk Island National Park (Parks Canada), PFRA

(Agriculture & Agri-food Canada)

• Provincial government– Sustainable Resource Development, Municipal Affairs,

Community Development, Environment, and Agriculture, Food & Rural Development

Fort Air Partnership 11 Apr 2005

Partnering Organizations

• ENGO’s– Ducks Unlimited (DU), Nature Conservancy of

Canada (NCC), AB Fish and Game Assoc., North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance and AB Conservation Association (ACA)

• Industry– Alberta’s Industrial Heartland, Northeast Capital

Industrial Association, Fort Air Partnership

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Common Land Use Issues…

• Competing demands for land base:– Rural residential subdivisions– Industry (e.g., oil and gas)– Agriculture– Recreation– Transportation– Environmental conservation

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Population – Pronounced Migration Population – Pronounced Migration PatternPattern

Source: http://geodepot.statcan.ca/Diss/Maps/ThematicMaps/Move_e.cfmSource: http://geodepot.statcan.ca/Diss/Maps/ThematicMaps/Move_e.cfm

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Source: Source: http://geodepot.statcan.ca/Diss/Maps/Thehttp://geodepot.statcan.ca/Diss/Maps/ThematicMaps/Population/Regional/maticMaps/Population/Regional/CalgEdm_popchg_E.pdfCalgEdm_popchg_E.pdf

Population – Rapid Growth Population – Rapid Growth RateRate

Alberta Key Map

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Different types of farmersDifferent types of farmers – in competition with – in competition with one another & others in one another & others in energyenergy, , transportationtransportation, ,

recreationrecreation, , wildlifewildlife, , urban developmenturban development, , rural rural sprawlsprawl, … for a resource base of , … for a resource base of varying qualityvarying quality

PFRA StudyLeduc Ag Land Evaluation

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Sustainable, functioning systems underpin a healthy economy and secure quality of life for future generations

Sustainable, functioning systems underpin a healthy economy and secure quality of life for future generations

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Edmonton

Leduc

Beaumont

SherwoodPark

Fort Saskatchewan

Tofield

Bruderheim

Lamont

GibbonsBon Accord

St. Albert

… On Unique Lands

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Role of the BHI

• Regional framework for planning decisions

• Data to support planning • Public information and awareness• Forum for decision makers to

discuss issues

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BHI Business Plan

• Phase 1: Establishing the framework (2004-05)

• Phase 2: Developing the implementation plan (2005-06)

• Phase 3: Sustaining the BHI (2006-07)

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Vision

The Beaver Hills Initiative values the region for its natural beauty, quality of life and supports co-operative efforts to sustain the quality of water, land, air and natural resources and community development.

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Mission

Working together for a sustainable

region, through shared initiatives

and coordinated action.

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Guiding Principles

• Working Together

• Land Use Planning Practices

• Quality of Life

• Economics

• Environment

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Landscape Management Principles

• Quality of Life

• Biodiversity

• Water

• Land

• Air

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Vegetation

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Wetlands

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Species At Risk

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Groundwater

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Agricultural Soil Capability

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Future Studies and Projects

• Filling data gaps– Updated rare species records– Wetland inventory– Natural area sustainability analysis– Surface water quality study– GW quality, abundance and refined flow mapping– Water resource use (SW and GW license withdrawals)– Socio-economic values study– Economic drivers baseline

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Future Studies and Projects

• Joint management projects– Weed inventory– Fire history mapping– Non-vascular plants and air quality

• Communications– Website– Public consultation and awareness program

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Current Focus

• Public consultation to solicit feedback from public

• Report back to member councils• Seek council ratification of landscape

management principles • Establish long-term strategy for

sustainability within Beaver Hills

Fort Air Partnership 11 Apr 2005

Questions?Questions?