SPECIAL PLACES ALBERTA'S NATURAL HERITACE /dibcsrra GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR ADPITIONAL COPIES OF THIS PUBLICATION, CONTACT: Alberta Environmental Protection Edmonton Information Centre Bramalea Building Main Floor 9920- 108 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5K2M4 Telephone: (403) 422-2097 ME$$AOE FROM THE PREMIER Albertans enjoy on unparalleled A great number of Albertans, indus- quality of life due largely to our try and stakeholder groups took the abundant natural resources as well opportunity to provide us with their as our healthy and active economy. points of view over the past two years The Government of Alberta is com- during the Special Places consultation mitted toproviding responsible process. Albertans will continue to stewardship of these resources, and play a key role in the implementation continually improving our quality of process. The information produced life, through sustainable development on Special Places 2000 will hopefully - paying attention to both the envi- encourage you to remain involved ronment and the economy. An and up-to-date with this most impor- atmosphere of certainty is necessary tant initiative. for continued economic growth, and completing our protected areas The long term success of the initiative system will provide a framework that depends on Albertans working allows for economic and environ- together to make the best decisions. I mental stability. look forward to the not too distant future when our system of protected Special Places 2000 represents an areas is completed, and all Albertans important component of our commit- can take advantage of the benefits ment tosustainable development. that will result. Ensuring that the complete diversity Sincere! of Alberta's unique landscapes exists for future generations is a reflection of the leadership required to effec- tively manage our resources. There- fore, itgives me great pleasure to participate in the announcement of the Special Places 2000 initiative. MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER Over the past two years, Albertans took tions. Developing a protected areas policy the opportunity to provide their points of that would be accepted by the majority of view on a draft policy that would see Albertans was not easy, but it was neces- Alberta complete its system of protected sary. However, we are confident that the areas. Special Places 2000, a policy that Special Places program, with its emphasis will preserve representative samples of our on community stakeholder involvement, will province's diverse landscapes, is the result allow us to designate and manage pro- of that extensive public consultation tected areas with the support of all Albertans. process. It is with great pleasure that we introduce Special Places 2000 seeks to balance the the "made in Alberta" Special Places policy goal of preservation, with the parallel and implementation process that, upon goals of outdoor recreation, heritage completion, will ensure that future genera- appreciation, and tourism/economic tions ofAlbertans can enjoy our rich development. Not all goals will be met in natural heritage. each Special Place. Levels of protection, access and development will be addressed Albertans and stakeholder groups from through management plans developed by across the province contributed directly to stakeholders based on sound scientific the development of Special Places. Simi- criteria keeping the overall intent of the larly, the long term success of Special Special Places 2000 policy in mind. Places will depend upon their continued involvement - from nomination of candi- I wish to thank all Albertans who have had date sites, to the designation of new a hand in developing this policy, and Special Places, and through support of the encourage all to remain informed as this day to day management of these sites. most important initiative progresses. Those Albertans directly affected by the policy and the designation of new sites, will participate directly, at the grass roots level. At the completion of our network of Special Places, all Albertans will reap the benefits. Minister Tytund Alberta Environmental Protection In addition. Special Places assists us in achieving our goal of sustainable develop- ment. Balancing our environmental responsibilities with economic realities provides a challenge with no easy solu- INTRODUCTION Reputation is important. The Also, Premier Klein commented on reputation of this province — already preservation during his January 1 7, known nationally and internationally 1 995 television address to Albertans. for its diverse beauty and rugged ''We're involved in preservation. individuality — is important to its future. Special Places 2000 will help We're helping to keep up the strong strengthen Alberta's standing in the pioneer tradition in Alberta of safe, international community on this new family oriented communities, clean front, which can only lead to new air, water, and lots of green spaces and exciting opportunities for and recreation opportunities, pride in Albertans. our province and strength in our Special Places 2000 is consistent with the Government of Alberta strategy country. " document entitled "Seizing Opportunity — Alberta's New Economic Development Strategy". A section from this document reads: "Sustainable development — managing progress on the economy and the environment at the same time will form the context for provincial economic strategies. We must link environmental and economic agendas if we are to see future benefits of either. " VIEW is a Government 2000 that One only needs to look in Alberta's of AlbertaPlaces ^^ec\o\ initiative embraces the backyard to find examples of existing theme of preservation while at the Special Places such as provincial same time recognizes the importance parks, natural areas, ecological to the province of creating a climate reserves and wilderness areas. for attracting investment, generating These preservation/ conservation wealth, and creating jobs. Special oriented sites, which contribute to the Places 2000 balances preservation four goals of Special Places, allow of Alberta's natural heritage with the for a considerable range of uses: other three goals or cornerstones: livestock grazing, oil and gas outdoor recreation, heritage development, recreation and tourism appreciation, and tourism and development, and cultural and economic development. heritage appreciation. Alberta has done a excellent job of setting aside lands with preservation and conservation values; we are not starting from "square one". Currently 1 5.4 million acres (6.2 million ha) of Alberta is legislated, and contributes to the goals of Special Places 2000. An additional 7.3 million acres (2.9 million ha) is managed to meet various components of these goals. In total 22.6 million acres (9.2 million ha) of Alberta's landbase meets all or some of the goals of Special Places. TING SPECIAL PLACES Existing special places contribute to • Small sites such as Egg Island our sustainable development Ecological Reserve satisfy a single objectives in different ways: objective — in this case the preservation of the only nesting site • Dinosaur Provincial Park and for Caspian Terns in Alberta. World Heritage Site — This Park provides a national and Alberta's network of Special Places, international tourist destination when complete, will ensure that all contributing heavily to local and four objectives of the strategy are provincial economies. At the same achieved. time the paleontological and badlands values are the most In order to measure the important preservation and "completeness" of Alberta's system, it heritage appreciation values in is necessary to recognize that six Alberta's existing Special Places. distinct and unique natural The park, widely recognized for its landscapes exist in the province. In high level of preservation, has our current system, these landscapes accommodated limited, carefully are represented to varying degrees. considered oil and gas, and However, we have gaps in our grazing activity. system. Special Places 2000 focuses on providing the policy, the science, • Cypress Hills Provincial Park — and the process, by which these gaps Preserves a unique landscape and will be identified and filled - thereby wildlife habitats. Cypress Hills completing a system that includes the continues to be one of the most environmental diversity of the popular sites in our present system province's six Natural Regions, by the - it caters to over 500,000 tourists end of 1998. and recreationists each year. At the same time, the site provides Based on a credible process of 1 2,000 Animal Unit Months of selecting sites systematically - livestock grazing per year. All four considering economic, ecological, cornerstones of Special Places are social and cultural considerations - balanced at Cypress Hills. Special Places will, in a balanced manner, preserve landscapes for the benefit of future generations of •3' Albertans. At the same time, Activities of another important completing the initiative in a timely industry, the agriculture sector, are way provides a climate of certainty compatible with Special Places. for resource-based industries, Some of the province's best reduces financial risk, and creates a grasslands are under the stewardship positive international image for of Alberta ranchers. Grazing will Iberta business. continue in new Special Places as an f accepted, sound management he value of Special Places 2000 is practice. Grazing already occurs in recognized by one of this province's existing Special Places, where significant resource revenue livestock grazing is part of the generators, the oil and gas industry. management of four ecological The Canadian Association of reserves and seven provincial parks, Petroleum Producers (CAPP) supports if grazing currently exists within a Special Places. It describes the candidate Special Place, this grazing success of Special Places as: will continue. ''...a strategic interest for our industry Special Places also support and and indeed, for the ongoing attract a variety of recreation and tourism opportunities. Activities economic prosperity of Alberta/' supported by Special Places include Support for Special Places 2000 was hiking, backcountry camping, gained early in the public guiding and outfitting. Albertans and visitors to the province will be in a consultation process from Alberta's forest industry. The Alberta Forest position to take advantage of nature Products Association, jointly with the and outdoor recreation based Alberta Environmental Network tourism opportunities - from commented that: campgrounds and related services, to less intensive ecotourism activities. ''There should be protection, through legislation, of special places on the Special Places can only succeed with commercial timber base where there the commitment and cooperation of are unique natural environments or leaders of government, industry, and features that meet well defined interested groups, and will assist scientific criteria../' Albertans preserve a proud natural heritage for future generations. POLICY STATEMENT The vision for Special Places 2000, Alberta's strategy, is to complete a network of Special Places that represent the environmental diversity of the province's six Natural Regions (20 sub-regions) by the end of 1 998. CUIPINC PRINCIPLES The four goals: preservation, natural regions (sub-regions) while outdoor recreation, heritage achieving all the goals in an appreciation, and tourism/ integrated and balanced manner. economic development, are the foundation and cornerstones of the All factors including ecological, Special Places initiative. social, cultural and economic will be included in the site selection, The Government is committed to recommendation and decision ensuring that there is consultation making process using an integrated among government departments, and balanced approach. agencies, stakeholders and local citizens. A wide spectrum of designations using both legislative and policy The land classification system mechanisms would be available called Natural Regions (sub- under the Special Places 2000 regions) and Natural History initiative in order to designate and Themes provides the scientific basis manage sites. for the identification, reviev/ and designation of Special Places. Most of the land base requirements for Special Places 2000 will be identified by the end of 1 996. The balance will be identified by the end of 1 997. The entire system of Special Places is expected to be complete by the end of 1 998. The land base target will be limited to the amount required to provide representative samples of the •6- IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS The Minister of Environmental affected are provided an Protection is responsible for opportunity to participate in the plementotion of the process. process that reflects the level of impact on them. All recommendations for site designations will be referred to There is a need for strong local and Standing Policy Committee on regional participation and Natural Resources and Sustainable endorsement in the identification Development and Cabinet by the and nomination of candidate sites Minister, for decisions. and a need for a provincial coordinating body. Consultation v/ith key stakeholders will be used to determine the The Provincial Coordinating details of the site selection and Committee will report to the nomination process (see diagram Minister. Membership will reflect and explanation on pages 9 and the sectors who have an interest 1 0) based on the following and would advise the Minister on principles. Representation from the implementation and management public, including all interests, is of Special Places. necessary in the site selection and management process. The At the local level, committees would Government is committed to represent local interests and users. balanced and fair representation from all interests, including tenure The Government will provide holders, key stakeholders and the professional and technical support public, in the implementation of this as required in the identification, initiative. Balanced and fair assessment and implementation representation ensures that those participants whose interests are process. •7- There will be ongoing consultation • The government will honour all and cooperation among commitments to tenure holders, government departments and utilizing the existing renewal agencies throughout the processes. When potential sites identification, assessment and are being identified, reviewed and implementation process. possibly designated, the impacts on tenure holders will be addressed Special Places 2000 will help through the management planning provide a context for the preservation components arising process. from the Forest Conservation • Efforts will be made with other Strategy, the Wetlands Policy, the provincial jurisdictions to ensure we Heritage Rivers Program and have a coordinated approach. related initiatives. A new and improved Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) process will be the mechanism of land use planning for Alberta and will be the foundation under which these initiatives will be implemented. These initiatives will be reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure the highest possible integration, coordination and effective use of existing policies. Activities and uses for specific sites should be based on a framework of management intent and principles, site specific management plans developed with local input and key stakeholder input, and legislation, where required. ♦8' SPECIAL PLACES NOMINATION AND REVIEW PROCESS Site nominated 1 by any Alberta n Provinical Coordinating Committee Interdepartmental Wm comment 2 reviews nomintion (*) Local Committee Government, contributes to scientific, technial and management logistical assistance principles (*) Provinical ^ Coordinating ommittee Interdepartmental review of comment management principles (*) Ministerial and * Progress tow^ard site Cabinet review designation may be discontinued at and approval (*) 5 these points. t men i sh nt l e tab em es n ag d an ma e Sit • Sites Nominations can be • Provincial Coordinating made by any Albertan by Committee review of completing a Special Places 2000 management principles will be site nomination form. Nomination based on consistency with Special forms are available from Places 2000 policy and principles. Environment Protection, Edmonton Information Centre by phoning • Interdepartmental 422-2079 Committee comment on management principles will be • Provincial Coordinating made within 45 days of referral Committee nomination review regarding consistency with includes an assessment of the site approved integrated resource based on the Special Places 2000 plans, legislation and other policy and principles and/or government policies. scientific criteria with regard to filling the preservation gaps in the • Discontinuing a nomination may existing protected areas network. occur at the points indicated by (*). This may occur for example, if • Interdepartmental there is consensus that the goals and principles of Special Places ^^^^ Committee comment will be 2000 cannot be achieved due to |= y7 made within 45 days of referral regarding consistency of the irresolvable issues. Should this nomination with approved occur, revised boundaries may be integrated resource plans, considered or the Provincial legislation and other government Committee will re-evaluate opportunities to fill the gaps as policies. required to achieve the Special • Local Committee contribution to Places 2000 policy. management principles will include: identification of issues that need to be resolved, comments on proposed boundaries, options for designation, and guidelines for ongoing activities. •10- March 1995 Pub. No.: 1/552 _ ISBN: 0-7732-1436-4 Printed on Recycled Paper
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