Alberta’s Environment Conference

In spring of 2005 and 2006, Alberta Environment coordinated the delivery of Alberta’s Environment Conference in partnership with the Environmental Services Association of Alberta, other government departments and organizations. The conference was intended to increase stakeholder awareness and understanding of government initiatives, and show how government and our partners are leading the way, working together and making a difference. Presentations and keynote addresses from the conference are retained online for the benefit of conference delegates and other stakeholders unable to attend the event.

Contact: env.education@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: April 2005, May 2006
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Information unavailable

Link: http://www.environment2005.com

Link: http://www.environment2006.com

Albertans & Climate Change: Meeting the Challenge

Albertans had an opportunity to help shape Alberta's next plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions throughout the province.

A series of 10 community workshops was held throughout the province during March and April of 2007 in order to give Albertans an opportunity to provide input on the climate change plan. Building on the community workshops, Alberta Environment hosted two multi-party round table sessions in May to discuss goals, principles, key choices and options the plan should consider. Following that, an expert panel of climate change experts from Alberta and across the world met in June to provide input on Alberta's path forward. The strategy was released on January 24, 2008.

Contact: Andy.Ridge@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: March 14, 2007
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: October, 2007

Link: http://environment.alberta.ca/643.html

Beverage Container Recycling Regulation Review

The Beverage Container Recycling Regulation lays the framework for the deposit/refund beverage container recycling system in the province. In 2007 the Regulation underwent a mandatory review to determine its continued relevance and efficacy. As part of the review, stakeholder consultation and public consultation was done to collect input on the Regulation.

Contact: Brenna.McLennan@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: March 2007
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: October 2007

Clean Air Strategic Alliance – Electricity Project Team

The Clean Air Strategic Alliance Electricity Project Team was tasked with developing a comprehensive management plan for air emissions associated with Alberta’s electricity sector. Clean Air Strategic Alliance recommendations were finalized and provided to government..The NOx and SOx Emissions Trading program was brought forward as a Clean Air Strategic Alliance recommendation and has been implemented by the Government of Alberta. The greenhouse gas management framework is evaluating options for electricity companies to manage their greenhouse gas emissions. Recommendations from this committee will be presented to Alberta Environment for consideration and implementation.

Contact: Keith.Denman@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: March 2002
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: September 2003

Link: http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/air/OGS/electricity.html

Climate Change Action Plan – Albertans and Climate Change: Taking Action

Alberta’s Climate Change Action Plan outlines Alberta’s approach for addressing climate change. It identifies five key areas for consultation including: government leadership, energy conservation, carbon management, technology and innovation, renewable and alternative energy, enhancing carbon sinks, and adaptation. This strategy came in to effect in October 2002 and was superseded by Albertans & Climate Change: Meeting the Challenge.

Contact: Brian.Waddell@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Summer 2002
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Fall 2002

Climate Change Legislation-Specified Gas Reporting Regulation

Alberta government, in consultation with stakeholders has developed the Climate Change and Emissions Management Act to manage greenhouse gas emissions in Alberta. The Act was passed in 2003. The Specified Gas Reporting Regulation has been developed under this Act and supports ongoing work on the Specified Gas Emitters Regulation that is currently being prepared.

• The Specified Gas Reporting Regulation requires all companies who emit more than 100kt of greenhouse gases annually to report their emissions. This regulation was adopted in 2004. Results for the 2004 reporting year are available at: http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/air/EMR/sgreporting.html

Contact: Robert.Savage@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 2003
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 2004

Link: http://www.qp.gov.ab.ca/documents/Acts/C16P7.cfm?f
rm_isbn=077974697X

Link: http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/air/EMR/sgreporting.html

Contaminated Sites Stakeholder Advisory Committee

In 2003, the Contaminated Sites Stakeholder Advisory Committee was formed to provide recommendations on the regulations for contaminated sites to improve the likelihood that contaminated sites would be remediated and returned to productive use, where possible. The multi-stakeholder committee included members representing industry, environmental non-governmental organizations, landowners, municipalities, real estate agents, bankers, and other government departments.

The Committee’s Recommendations to the Honourable Lorne Taylor, Minister of the Environment, Interim Report, (March 2004) contained recommendations on legislative amendments, allocation of liability to person(s) responsible and liability closure on remediated sites. In June 2005, the Committee’s second report was completed, Recommendations to the Honourable Guy Boutilier, Minister of the Environment, which included more specific direction on amendments to the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act to improve the management of contaminated sites.

The Committee’s recommendations have lead to amendments of the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act in spring 2006 and the remediation certificate program, planned for October 1, 2006.

Contact: Darlene.Howat@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: September 2003
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: June 2005

Groundwater and Coalbed Methane

In June 2006, 13 public information sessions took place across central and southern Alberta to address landowner concerns about coalbed methane development affecting groundwater supplies. These sessions included displays and presentations by Alberta Environment, industry, other government agencies, and those representing landowner interests. The presentations were followed by a question and answer session.

Contact: Shelleen.Lakusta@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: June 7, 2006
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Additional information sessions as needed

Link: http://www.waterforlife.gov.ab.ca/coal/index.html

Groundwater Risk Assessment for Alberta

Alberta Environment initiated the Groundwater Risk Assessment project in September 2006. This project will ensure that areas and issues of greatest risk to Alberta's natural groundwater resources are taken into account as development activities take place across the province.

Alberta Environment will work directly with groundwater experts to get input on the current, short-term, and long-term risks to groundwater across the province. Alberta Environment will also host two workshops to gather input from First Nations and Métis groups in late November. The information will be compiled by PricewaterhouseCoopers into a comprehensive report and reviewed by a group of groundwater experts and Alberta Environment staff. The Groundwater Risk Assessment project will be completed in March 2007 and will assist Alberta Environment in developing priority actions for groundwater in the coming 2007-2008 business plan.

Contact: David.McKenna@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Not applicable
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Not applicable

Integrated Land Management Program

The Integrated Land Management Project was focused on identifying the tools required by the Integrated Land Management Program to manage, reduce and reclaim industrial, recreational and other footprints on public land, while providing appropriate levels of access.
The Integrated Land Management Project resulted in recommendations around six deliverables, identified in the Integrated Land Management Project charter:

• Principles: A set of integrated land management process principles
• Protocols: An integrated framework of public land management planning and decision-making protocols
• Incentives: Integration and collaboration incentives, and requirements through legislation
• Stewardship: Education and stewardship programming and capacity-building mechanisms
• Performance Measures: Monitoring and compliance mechanisms and performance measures
• Governance: A governance structure

As part of the Integrated Land Management Project process, stakeholders had an opportunity over 18 months to participate through working groups set up to develop recommendations around the deliverables, or as reviewers of recommendations.

The Integrated Land Management Program is recognized as a significant implementation mechanism of the Land-use Framework (released December 3, 2008). The Integrated Land Management Program will be influenced by, and provide valuable input to, watershed planning, forest management planning, FireSmart community planning, and species at risk recovery planning, reclamation initiatives and other provincial government planning initiatives.

ILM Project Contact: Aniko.Parnell@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: December 3, 2008
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Information unavailable

Link: http://www.srd.alberta.ca/ilm

Moose Lake Watershed Management Plan

Following extensive public and stakeholder consultations, the Moose Lake Watershed Management Plan is being implemented by the Municipal District of Bonnyville.  The management plan ensures the long-term sustainability of the area’s watershed by addressing several key issues: declining lake levels, frequent algal blooms and potential environmental degradation resulting from increased development around the lakeshore. 

Specific goals for the plan include:

• Improved water quality in the Moose Lake Watershed to reflect pre-development conditions;
• Improved wildlife and fish habitats in conjunction with a healthier overall aquatic environment;
• The incorporation of watershed management plan recommendations into the local municipal land-use plans, which include compliance guidelines and best management practices, and;
• Increased public awareness of, and engagement with, land stewardship activities.

Contact: kkinch@md.bonnyville.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: August 16, 2006
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Information unavailable

Northern East Slopes Sustainable Resource and Environmental Management Strategy

The Regional Steering Group for the Northern East Slopes Sustainable Resource and Environmental Management Strategy provided recommendations to Alberta Environment in May 2003 for balancing economic, environmental and community values in the sustainable management of resources and the environment.

Contact: Andrew.Schoepf@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 2000
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 2003

Link: http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/regions/nes/strategy.htm
l

NOx and SOx Emissions Trading

The Clean Air Strategic Alliance Electricity Project Team put forward a series of recommendations to Alberta Environment to manage NOx and SOx emissions in Alberta. To implement these recommendations, Alberta Environment issued the Air Emission Standard For Electricity Generators in December 2005 and Cabinet approved the Emission Trading Regulation in February 2006. Alberta Environment is currently working with industry to implement the Standard and Regulation.

Contact: Andy.Ridge@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Spring 2005
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Spring 2005

Link: http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/air/OGS/managingemission
s.html

Oil Sands Consultation

In 2006 and 2007, the Oil Sands Multi-stakeholder Committee led a public consultation on the development of Alberta’s oil sands. A subcommittee was put in place to conduct public consultation. Public consultation information received by the subcommittee was reported back to the Oil Sands Multi-stakeholder Committee. The Oil Sands Multi-stakeholder Committee completed its work on June 30, 2007 with a final report to the Ministers of Energy, Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. The final report from the Oil Sands Multi-stakeholder Committee, as well as the final report from the Oil Sands Aboriginal Consultation, can be found on the link below.

Contact: Ernie.Hui@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: September 13, 2006
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: October 4, 2006

Link: http://www.oilsandsconsultations.gov.ab.ca

Paint Stewardship Program

In 2008 Alberta launched the paint and paint container recycling program to divert waste paint from landfills. Stakeholder and public consultation was held prior to the launch of the program.

Contact: Brenna.McLennan@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: March 2006
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: April 2007

Policy Paper on Proposed Regulatory Framework for Managing Environmental Cumulative Effects

The Minister of Environment was mandated with developing a new environment and resource management regulatory framework. Its purpose was to enable sustainable development in Alberta by addressing the cumulative effects of development on the environment. In response, Alberta Environment, along with six other departments, drafted a policy paper to stimulate discussion on the proposed framework.

Consultation closed on November 30, 2007. Results will be compiled and posted at the link below.

Contact: Dave.Belyea@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: October 2, 2007
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: November 30, 2007

Link: http://www.environment.alberta.ca/1931.html

Sustainable Resource Environmental Management Deputy Ministers and Chair of Energy Utility Board meet Alberta Environment Network

The three Deputy Ministers from Sustainable Resource Environmental Management (Alberta Environment, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Energy) and the chair of the Energy Utility Board, Neil McCrank, will be meeting with the Alberta Environment Network (a non-governmental organization) on November 14th, 2006. They will discuss numerous environmental issues over the course of the evening concerning environmental issues but the main purpose is to build on the relationships between the affiliated organizations.

Contact: Dave.Belyea@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: November 14, 2006
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: Information unavailable

Link: http://www.srem.gov.ab.ca/

The Oil and Gas Remediation and Reclamation Advisory Committee

In June 2003, the Oil and Gas Remediation and Reclamation Advisory Committee was formed to review and provide recommendations to the Minister of the Environment on implementation of the revised program for reclamation certification of upstream oil and gas sites. The multi-stakeholder committee consisted of representatives from industry, landowner groups, and other government departments. Ten recommendations were provided to Alberta Environment’s Executive including recommendations on reclamation certificate application fees, use of stratified remediation, and competencies of professionals assessing reclamation and remediation work.

Since the Recommendations for Minister report was forwarded to Alberta Environment’s Executive in November 2004, many of the recommendations have been implemented or are planned for implementation.

Contact: Darlene.Howat@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: June 2003
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: November 2004

Link: http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/protenf/landrec/upstream
/index.html

Water For Life: Alberta’s Strategy for Sustainability Consultation

In 2002, the Government of Alberta consulted with Albertans on the challenges and priorities for water management and supply, and sought fresh ideas for responsible solutions to those challenges. The consultation process had three major components - ideas generation, public outreach and consultation, and a ministerial forum on water.

The first phase – ideas generation – was completed in early 2002 when a small, diverse group of Albertans provided the Government of Alberta with advice on water management in the province. This “ideas” group identified the challenges associated with managing water in the province and several opportunities for improving it.

These ideas provided the framework for the second stage of the process, a comprehensive public outreach and consultation. The Public Consultation Summary Report outlines what Albertans had to say regarding water resources in the province.

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: March 1, 2002
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: April 15, 2002

Link: http://www.waterforlife.gov.ab.ca/docs/consultatio
nsummary.pdf

Water For Life: Alberta’s Strategy for Sustainability Consultation

The third stage in the strategy’s consultation process was a Minister’s Forum on Water. Held in June 2002, the forum involved 108 invited Albertans and experts who reviewed input from the public outreach and consultation process and discussed next steps and solutions.

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: June 6, 2002
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: June 7, 2002

Link: http://www.waterforlife.gov.ab.ca/docs/summary_rep
ort.pdf

Water Management Plan for the South Saskatchewan River Basin

A water management plan for the South Saskatchewan River Basin was approved by the Lieutenant Governor in Council in 2006. The South Saskatchewan River Basin comprises the Red Deer, Bow, Oldman and South Saskatchewan Rivers sub-basins. The plan focuses on matters of water allocations, water quantity, river flow regimes, and protection of the aquatic environment (as affected by the foregoing).

As recommended in the plan, a Crown Reservation has been established for the Bow, Oldman and South Saskatchewan River sub-basins. The Crown Reservation dictates the purposes for which Alberta Environment can accept applications for new water allocations. The purposes include water conservation objectives, allocations for First Nations, and new storage that will both increase the reliability of existing licences and also benefit the aquatic environment. Water conservation objectives identify a desired balance between diverting water from rivers for consumption and leaving water in rivers for protection of the aquatic environment. The water conservation objectives recommended by the plan have been established.

The Interbasin Water Coordinating Committee recommended in the plan has been formed. This committee has representatives from the Watershed Planning and Advisory Committees in the South Saskatchewan River Basin and Alberta Environment. The first priority for this committee is to prepare an operations plan that will help Alberta meet the Master Agreement on Apportionment (i.e., flows that must be passed to Saskatchewan).

The Approved Water Management Plan and supporting documentation can be viewed at:
http://www.environment.alberta.ca/1674.html

Contact: Doug.Ohrn@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: 2000/2001
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: January 2006

Link: http://www.environment.alberta.ca/1674.html

Youth Environment Summit

Late in 2005, Alberta Environment hosted a series of regional roundtable discussions to gather valuable insight into the environmental priorities of today’s youth. Sessions were held in Fort McMurray, Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary and Lethbridge. Another roundtable was held specifically for aboriginal youth. Building on these Roundtables, a provincial Youth Environment Summit was held from October 11 to 13, 2006. Almost 200 delegates from across Alberta, aged 16 to 25 years, gathered in Kananaskis Country for the Youth Environment Summit.

Participants discussed the environmental needs of Alberta communities, networked with each other and with environmental organizations, and shared their insights about important environmental issues with Minister Guy Boutilier. Keynote speaker Severn Cullis-Suzuki inspired the delegates with her story and a number of Alberta youth leaders demonstrated successful environmental projects. Delegates produced a Youth Declaration and Minister Boutilier announced a new Youth Environmental Stewardship grant program. A documentary about the Youth Environment Summit is being produced by ACCESS, the Education Station.

Contact: env.education@gov.ab.ca

Beginning Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: October 12, 2006
Closing Public/Stakeholder Involvement Date: October 14, 2006

Link: http://www.environment.gov.ab.ca/yes