Alberta Environment - Getting Involved: Initiatives

This section highlights current, future and past public and stakeholder involvement initiatives either being led by, or with significant involvement of, Alberta Environment. These initiatives include those Alberta Environment is involved in under the Sustainable Resource and Environmental Management (SREM) framework.

If you are interested in activities under the Environmental Assessment Process, visit http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/protenf/assessment/whatsnew.html or to view documentation for Approvals, Licences, Registrations and Permits issued under the Water Act and Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, visit http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/approvalviewer.html.

We recognize the benefits of involving the public and stakeholders and understand that the more informed they are, the better we will all be able to cooperatively and effectively manage the environment.

Northern Alberta Initiatives
*Alberta Capital Airshed Alliance* The Alberta Capital Airshed Alliance (ACAA) is a consensus based forum for air quality monitoring and policy recommendation and implementation. The ACAA brings together stakeholders living and operating in Alberta's capital region including industry, government, non-government organizations and non-profit community groups. ACAA members partner in protecting and improving air quality by: developing comprehensive air quality management recommendations; providing an open, transparent and sustainable forum for air issues; and informing the public about the quality of the air and air issues. Contact: Yayne-abeba.Aklilu@gov.ab.ca Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: August 2006 Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing Link: http://www.capitalairshed.ca/
*Baptiste Lake Watershed Management Plan* A comprehensive watershed management plan is being developed for Baptiste Lake. This plan will increase awareness of factors that effect lakes and watersheds, determine the health of Baptiste Lake, and develop an action plan that will protect Baptiste Lake. Baptiste, Island and Skeleton Lakes Watershed and Lake Stewardship Council is leading the development of the Baptiste Lake Watershed Management Plan. The Baptiste, Island and Skeleton Lakes Watershed and Lake Stewardship Council includes representatives from the town of Athabasca and the County of Athabasca. Initial public consultation: December 2005 Public consultation to review the terms of reference: November 29, 2006 Public Consultation for the State of the Watershed report: to be determined Public consultation to review the draft plan: to be determined. Contact: Abdi.Siad-Omar@gov.ab.ca Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Information unavailable
*Cold Lake Beaver River Basin Water Management Plan Update* This planning exercise, currently nearing completion, has been undertaken to update the existing 1985 plan in order to reflect current and projected water uses within the basin while balancing environmental and socio-economic considerations. The updated plan will integrate new information related to the basin’s water resources and be aligned with recent provincial water management initiatives. The updated plan has been drafted in partnership with Lakeland Industry and Community Association and the regional Basin Advisory Committee. Public consultation is integral to the development of the plan and has included open house events to review the Terms of Reference, numerous multi-stakeholder meetings, a stakeholder planning workshop and open houses to review the draft plan. Contact: Joe.Prusak@gov.ab.ca Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Information unavailable Link: http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/Management/clbr
*Cumulative Environmental Management Association* The Cumulative Environmental Management Association is a multi-stakeholder initiative in northeast Alberta working to implement the Regional Sustainable Development Strategy to manage the cumulative environmental impacts of oil sands development in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Technical and scientific work is completed through five working groups and committees including the NoxSO² Management Working Group, the Surface Water Working Group, and the Reclamation Working Group. Contact: Randall.Barrett@gov.ab.ca Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Information unavailable Link: http://www.cemaonline.ca/
*Fort Air Partnership* Fort Air Partnership (FAP) was formed to address a need for local solutions to local air quality issues. FAP is a community driven multi-stakeholder organization with a mandate “to generate and provide comprehensive air quality information to the public, industry and government.” FAP currently monitors air quality within a 4,500 square kilometer boundary located north east of Edmonton. It monitors air quality and reports air quality data on behalf of industry, Alberta Environment and Environment Canada. In addition to monitoring, FAP is also engaged in informing the community and has participated in many provincial and federal initiatives related to air quality, including the development of an ozone management plan in 2008. Contact: Richard.Chabaylo@gov.ab.ca Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 1997 Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing Link: http://www.fortair.org/
*Lakeland Industry and Community Association* Formed in 2000, the Lakeland Industry and Community Association is a community based not-for-profit association in the Elk Point - Bonnyville - Cold Lake area. The association seeks to provide Lakeland area residents with a timely response to concerns and to ensure that growing development is conducted in a responsible manner. In December 2005, the Lakeland Industry and Community Association became the seventh Airshed Management Zone in the province. Contact: Nadine.Blaney@gov.ab.ca Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Information unavailable Link: http://www.lica.ca/
*Lesser Slave Basins Water Management Plan* A water management plan is under development for the Lesser Slave Lake and Lesser Slave River basins in conjunction with the Lesser Slave Lake Watershed Committee. Phase 1 is addressing issues relating to the Lesser Slave River, including development of Water Conservation Objectives for the river. Water Conservation Objectives identify the quality and quantity of water to be left in the river for various needs such as protection of the aquatic environment, fish, recreation, transportation and waste assimilation. Phase 2 of the plan is underway, and will address water management issues relating to Lesser Slave Lake, including water quality, shoreline development, sedimentation and groundwater. Contact: Rod.Burr@gov.ab.ca Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: November 1999 Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing Link: http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/regions/lsb/index. html
*Peace AirShed Zone Association* The Peace AirShed Zone Association is a multi-stakeholder non-profit organization consisting of industry, local government, environmental organizations, Alberta Environment, Alberta Energy & Utilities Board, the local health authority, and members of the public. Formed in March 1999 in response to concerns over air quality, the Peace AirShed Zone Association operates an air quality-monitoring network in the Grande Prairie area. The focus of the Peace AirShed Zone Association is to monitor ambient air quality and work towards maintaining or improving air quality. For more information on the Peace AirShed Zone Association and its activities please go to the link below. Contact: Jennifer.Keturakis@gov.ab.ca Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Information unavailable Link: http://www.pasza.ca/
*Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program* Initiated in 1997, the Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program is a joint environmental monitoring program that assesses the health of rivers and lakes in the oil sands region of northeastern Alberta. The program is designed to identify and address potential impacts of oil sands development and is frequently adjusted to reflect monitoring results, technological advances and community concerns. Members include representatives from the various levels of government, industry, and aboriginal and NGO groups. Contact: Preston.McEachern@gov.ab.ca Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Information unavailable Link: http://www.ramp-alberta.org/
*Skeleton Lake Watershed Management Plan* A community-led watershed management plan is under development for Skeleton Lake. Alberta Environment has recently approved the terms of reference for this plan. The key issues addressed in this plan include the declining lake levels, protection of aquatic resources and land use changes in the watershed resulting from increased development around the lakeshore. These concerns led to the formation of the Skeleton Lake Stewardship Association with a goal to protect, restore and enhance the aquatic eco-system of Skeleton Lake. For more information on the Skeleton Lake Stewardship Association and its activities, please go to the link below. The four municipalities in the area, the County of Athabasca, Village of Boyle and the summer villages of Bondiss and Meewatha Beach, have agreed to the Skeleton Lake Stewardship Association taking the lead role in developing a watershed management plan for Skeleton lake. The roles of Alberta Environment in this process are to review and approve the Terms of Reference (which will outline the stakeholder and public consultation activities during the planning process); provide technical information; and to approve a final plan. The following public/stakeholder involvement activities have occurred: Town hall meeting in Edmonton - April 19, 2005 Town hall meeting in Boyle – April 21, 2005 Town hall meeting in Edmonton – April 26, 2005 Town hall meeting in Boyle – May 27, 2006 Public consultation to review the terms of reference – August 26, 2006 Public consultation to review the State of the Watershed Report - May 30, 2007 in Edmonton and June 9, 2007 in Boyle There will be further public consultation on the draft watershed management plan. The dates for these meetings have not been set. Contact: Abdi.Siad-Omar@gov.ab.ca Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Information unavailable Link: http://www.skeletonlake.com
*Wood Buffalo Environmental Association* Formed in 1995, the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association monitors and provides accurate, credible, transparent and understandable information on environmental quality in the Wood Buffalo Region. The Association actively facilitates dialogue among its members, and others to be responsive to the environment in their planning, decision-making and operations. Contact: Michael.Aiton@gov.ab.ca Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Information unavailable Link: http://www.wbea.org/

Northern Alberta Initiatives

Alberta Capital Airshed Alliance

The Alberta Capital Airshed Alliance (ACAA) is a consensus based forum for air quality monitoring and policy recommendation and implementation. The ACAA brings together stakeholders living and operating in Alberta's capital region including industry, government, non-government organizations and non-profit community groups. ACAA members partner in protecting and improving air quality by:

developing comprehensive air quality management recommendations;
providing an open, transparent and sustainable forum for air issues; and
informing the public about the quality of the air and air issues.

Contact: Yayne-abeba.Aklilu@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: August 2006
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing

Link: http://www.capitalairshed.ca/

Baptiste Lake Watershed Management Plan

A comprehensive watershed management plan is being developed for Baptiste Lake. This plan will increase awareness of factors that effect lakes and watersheds, determine the health of Baptiste Lake, and develop an action plan that will protect Baptiste Lake.

Baptiste, Island and Skeleton Lakes Watershed and Lake Stewardship Council is leading the development of the Baptiste Lake Watershed Management Plan. The Baptiste, Island and Skeleton Lakes Watershed and Lake Stewardship Council includes representatives from the town of Athabasca and the County of Athabasca.

Initial public consultation: December 2005
Public consultation to review the terms of reference: November 29, 2006
Public Consultation for the State of the Watershed report: to be determined
Public consultation to review the draft plan: to be determined.

Contact: Abdi.Siad-Omar@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Information unavailable

Cold Lake Beaver River Basin Water Management Plan Update

This planning exercise, currently nearing completion, has been undertaken to update the existing 1985 plan in order to reflect current and projected water uses within the basin while balancing environmental and socio-economic considerations. The updated plan will integrate new information related to the basin’s water resources and be aligned with recent provincial water management initiatives. The updated plan has been drafted in partnership with Lakeland Industry and Community Association and the regional Basin Advisory Committee. Public consultation is integral to the development of the plan and has included open house events to review the Terms of Reference, numerous multi-stakeholder meetings, a stakeholder planning workshop and open houses to review the draft plan.

Contact: Joe.Prusak@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Information unavailable

Link: http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/Management/clbr

Cumulative Environmental Management Association

The Cumulative Environmental Management Association is a multi-stakeholder initiative in northeast Alberta working to implement the Regional Sustainable Development Strategy to manage the cumulative environmental impacts of oil sands development in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Technical and scientific work is completed through five working groups and committees including the NoxSO² Management Working Group, the Surface Water Working Group, and the Reclamation Working Group.

Contact: Randall.Barrett@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Information unavailable

Link: http://www.cemaonline.ca/

Fort Air Partnership

Fort Air Partnership (FAP) was formed to address a need for local solutions to local air quality issues. FAP is a community driven multi-stakeholder organization with a mandate “to generate and provide comprehensive air quality information to the public, industry and government.”

FAP currently monitors air quality within a 4,500 square kilometer boundary located north east of Edmonton. It monitors air quality and reports air quality data on behalf of industry, Alberta Environment and Environment Canada.

In addition to monitoring, FAP is also engaged in informing the community and has participated in many provincial and federal initiatives related to air quality, including the development of an ozone management plan in 2008.

Contact: Richard.Chabaylo@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 1997
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing

Link: http://www.fortair.org/

Lakeland Industry and Community Association

Formed in 2000, the Lakeland Industry and Community Association is a community based not-for-profit association in the Elk Point - Bonnyville - Cold Lake area. The association seeks to provide Lakeland area residents with a timely response to concerns and to ensure that growing development is conducted in a responsible manner. In December 2005, the Lakeland Industry and Community Association became the seventh Airshed Management Zone in the province.

Contact: Nadine.Blaney@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Information unavailable

Link: http://www.lica.ca/

Lesser Slave Basins Water Management Plan

A water management plan is under development for the Lesser Slave Lake and Lesser Slave River basins in conjunction with the Lesser Slave Lake Watershed Committee. Phase 1 is addressing issues relating to the Lesser Slave River, including development of Water Conservation Objectives for the river. Water Conservation Objectives identify the quality and quantity of water to be left in the river for various needs such as protection of the aquatic environment, fish, recreation, transportation and waste assimilation. Phase 2 of the plan is underway, and will address water management issues relating to Lesser Slave Lake, including water quality, shoreline development, sedimentation and groundwater.

Contact: Rod.Burr@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: November 1999
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing

Link: http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/regions/lsb/index.
html

Peace AirShed Zone Association

The Peace AirShed Zone Association is a multi-stakeholder non-profit organization consisting of industry, local government, environmental organizations, Alberta Environment, Alberta Energy & Utilities Board, the local health authority, and members of the public. Formed in March 1999 in response to concerns over air quality, the Peace AirShed Zone Association operates an air quality-monitoring network in the Grande Prairie area. The focus of the Peace AirShed Zone Association is to monitor ambient air quality and work towards maintaining or improving air quality. For more information on the Peace AirShed Zone Association and its activities please go to the link below.

Contact: Jennifer.Keturakis@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Information unavailable

Link: http://www.pasza.ca/

Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program

Initiated in 1997, the Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program is a joint environmental monitoring program that assesses the health of rivers and lakes in the oil sands region of northeastern Alberta. The program is designed to identify and address potential impacts of oil sands development and is frequently adjusted to reflect monitoring results, technological advances and community concerns. Members include representatives from the various levels of government, industry, and aboriginal and NGO groups.

Contact: Preston.McEachern@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Information unavailable

Link: http://www.ramp-alberta.org/

Skeleton Lake Watershed Management Plan

A community-led watershed management plan is under development for Skeleton Lake. Alberta Environment has recently approved the terms of reference for this plan. The key issues addressed in this plan include the declining lake levels, protection of aquatic resources and land use changes in the watershed resulting from increased development around the lakeshore. These concerns led to the formation of the Skeleton Lake Stewardship Association with a goal to protect, restore and enhance the aquatic eco-system of Skeleton Lake. For more information on the Skeleton Lake Stewardship Association and its activities, please go to the link below.

The four municipalities in the area, the County of Athabasca, Village of Boyle and the summer villages of Bondiss and Meewatha Beach, have agreed to the Skeleton Lake Stewardship Association taking the lead role in developing a watershed management plan for Skeleton lake. The roles of Alberta Environment in this process are to review and approve the Terms of Reference (which will outline the stakeholder and public consultation activities during the planning process); provide technical information; and to approve a final plan.

The following public/stakeholder involvement activities have occurred:

Town hall meeting in Edmonton - April 19, 2005
Town hall meeting in Boyle – April 21, 2005
Town hall meeting in Edmonton – April 26, 2005
Town hall meeting in Boyle – May 27, 2006
Public consultation to review the terms of reference – August 26, 2006
Public consultation to review the State of the Watershed Report - May 30, 2007 in Edmonton and June 9, 2007 in Boyle

There will be further public consultation on the draft watershed management plan. The dates for these meetings have not been set.

Contact: Abdi.Siad-Omar@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Information unavailable

Link: http://www.skeletonlake.com

Wood Buffalo Environmental Association

Formed in 1995, the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association monitors and provides accurate, credible, transparent and understandable information on environmental quality in the Wood Buffalo Region. The Association actively facilitates dialogue among its members, and others to be responsive to the environment in their planning, decision-making and operations.

Contact: Michael.Aiton@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Ongoing
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Information unavailable

Link: http://www.wbea.org/