The Alberta government is committed to developing region-specific environmental plans. The 10-year frameworks are intended to integrate air, land, water and biodiversity into decision-making and frame future resource use. As part of that initiative, the province released the Draft Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP) in August, 2011.

Reactions to the plan have been strong and largely negative. Critics have accused the plan as offering “virtually no progress” on the region’s most pressing issues, citing insufficient action on tailings ponds reduction, land disturbance limits and biodiversity protection (specifically woodland caribou).

While the published plan has found its share of detractors, it follows a first edition from early 2011 and subsequent stakeholder engagement over the spring of 2011.

This second volume boosted consideration of the role of aboriginal communities, the importance of forestry and agriculture, and additional resource potentials in hydroelectric and minerals.

The LARP is the first of seven regional plans planned by the province. It remains to be seen how administrators will balance legislative objectives with ongoing public concerns.

By Cheryl Johnson, cjohnson@delphi.ca