Parkland County Lake Land Use Planning Initiatives

Why did Parkland County start planning around lakes? The County needed to protect lakes from the impacts of adjacent land use (as the impacts of these uses become increasingly evident) and not later (when these lakes may be irreparably harmed by inappropriate uses). All communities around most of the County’s lakes are very active and remind all of us of the importance of water. County lakes impact all facets of community life - from environmental diversity, potable water, recreation, tourism, and the health of families. The County realized that it must properly plan for its lakes’ futures as population growth – and current uses – place pressures on these lakes.

Parkland County is growing In 1971 the County’s population was just 12,000. By 2011 the County’s population had grown to 31,000. This is a 38% population increase over 40 years. According to the Capital Region Growth Plan, Parkland County’s population is projected to grow to 37,000 by 2016 and could grow to as much as 73,000 in

With these increases in population more and more individuals, and families, are affecting natural resource's. These population increases effect the environment including: the disruption or loss of habitat, biodiversity loss, damage or loss of wetlands, groundwater contamination, destruction of waterways and ultimately the continued decline of our lakes. The County understands the importance and need to protect the natural environment, but must consider desired growth of residential and business sectors, as well as pursuit of tourism and recreation opportunities. These must all be balanced to ensure healthy lakes and communities.

Break down jurisdictional barriers or “silos” between Parkland County, other municipalities, and the Provincial and Federal Governments. It became evident that the direct involvement of Alberta Environment was necessary if the Wabamun Lake project was/is going to be a success. Or any other lake for that matter. Include as many direct partners as possible, in order to truly understand the lake and all its dimensions. This will provide transparency and improved communication between all groups. Most important is to secure all of the science specific to the lake. Use this information to underpin development of a lake specific plan. The science should not support the plan – but – rather – the science must guide development of the plan. Key factors of Lake Land Use Planning

Protection of the environment is a critical component to planning. The County understands this importance through development of: – Environmental Conservation Master Plan (ECMP); – Riparian Setback Matrix Model (RSMM) for development (2015); – Parkland County Wetland Inventory (started in 2015); and – Parkland County Agricultural Master Plan (end of 2015). The County has started the initial work on protecting its lakes, and the sub-watershed regions around lakes within Parkland County. The question was do we start small and work our way up to larger challenges or do we start big and work our way down? Where do you start?

In 2013 Parkland County began dialoging with Alberta Environment, the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance, the Wabamun Watershed Management Council, TransAlta, Canadian National Railways, First Nation communities, and the 5 summer Villages adjacent to Wabamun Lake. We also sought the input of other lake associations and societies. In November of 2013 Parkland County applied for a Regional Collaboration Grant from the Province of Alberta. In March 2014 the County received confirmation that its grant for the Wabamun Lake Subwatershed Land Use Plan “WLSLUP” had been approved by the province. We Started BIG!!....with Wabamun Lake

Steering Committee/Technical Advisory Committee:  David Trew - North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance  Dave Mussel - Alberta Environment  Stan Franklin - Wabamun Watershed Management Council  Parkland County Staff Who is involved in this Project?

Stakeholders and Partners:  Village of Seba beach, Lakeview and Betula Beach  Village of Wabamun  Village of Kapasiwin  Village of Spring Lake  Village of Point Alison  Alberta Lake Management Society (ALMS)  Jackfish Lake Management Association  Mayatan Lake Management Association  Canadian National Railways  TransAlta  First Nations (Paul Band, Alexis Band, Enoch, Metis) Who else is involved in this Project?

Consultant:  Stantec – In September 2014 Stantec Consulting out of Edmonton was awarded the contract to prepare the WLSLUP. Anyone else?

Subwatershed area for the WLSLUP

WLSLUP is divided into 4 phases : Phase I - Compile historical, current scientific data and governmental policies. These findings are being summarized for better understanding of the lake and for the rational for Phase II. Phase II - Develop an understandable, balanced, aligned, practical land use plan. Phase III - Develop policies and procedures built from Phase II. These policies and procedures will also be used to update our ECMP, Land Use Bylaw and MDP/CSDP. Phase IV - Development of the “toolbox” which includes flexible land use templates, policies, processes and procedure guidelines for customized future lake land use plans. Project dates: Phase I - Completed - but this is a living document and will be updated as needed throughout project development. Phase II - Projected completion by the end of June Phase III - Projected completion by the mid fall Phase IV - Projected completion by the end of late spring What does the WLSLUP look like?

Where is this Process at? We have met and will continue to meet with Paul and Alexis First Nation elders. We will be having a Stakeholder and Public Open House in June 2015 at the Jubilee Hall in the Village of Wabamun to present our Phase 1 findings and to highlight the findings of the draft (proposed) Phase 2 Land Use Plan. The Steering Committee and Stantec are currently working to narrow the scope of important issues facing the lake and have arranged a joint County and Province meeting on Wednesday May 13, 2015 to seek consensus on these issues.

Thank You Questions?