A critical exploration of the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan– Canadian Institute of Resources Law
Criticism and praise – evaluating the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan in light of cumulative effects and other management objectives.
As the second regional plan to be developed, the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan represents the potential and challenges with regional land use planning. A researcher from the Canadian Institute of Resources Law reviewed the status and future of the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan and published the review in March 2016.
The South Saskatchewan Regional Plan came into effect on September 1, 2014. As of March 2016, “the practical impact on uses of land, industry activity and environmental protection inter alia, made by the SSRP so far is undramatic and remains to be seen.” The response from land use decision makers, property owners and land users was mixed.
Here are the weaknesses that were identified:
Clarity – Although the oil and gas industry generally had favourable views of the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan, there were concerns over a lack of clarity for long-term projects and future developments.
Ambiguity – Strategies and methods to achieve the outcomes of the plan were not specific, making it difficult for land use decision makers to implement the plan.
Environmental response – The South Saskatchewan Regional Plan is a step forward for environmental protection but has significant shortcomings, including cumulative management, species at risk protection, headwaters and wetlands management and biodiversity protection.
Political positions – Implementation of the plan will be impacted by the provincial political parties’ positions.
The researcher acknowledges that a lack of clarity is inevitable in regional plans and a “balance of necessary flexibility and excessive discretion (flexibility).” As a long-term plan, it is difficult to understand the breadth of challenges and benefits of the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan at this time.
“At this point, that the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan will survive its own development in order to clarify this balance is a major step forward in the development of integrated landscape management in Alberta, which is not to say that more shouldn’t be asked of it. The future will reveal more complete evaluation after implementation and circumstance progress.”
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