The Alberta government has begun Phase 2 of its consultation process for the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan (SSRP) with public sessions throughout the region, including a session planned for Canmore next week.
Neal Watson, a Sustainable Resource Development spokesperson, said Tuesday the Canmore session will take place at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Centre Wednesday (Nov. 21) from 4-8 p.m.
Residents of the Bow Valley are invited to come at any point over the four-hour session to review the recommendations provided by the South Saskatchewan Regional Advisory Committee (RAC), which began meeting in 2009.
“This is not the government’s advice. This is not the draft regional plan. This is advice that we asked for from a disparate group of Albertans,” Watson said.
“(The RAC) is a group of individuals from many places in southern Alberta with very diverse experience, background and expertise, so we asked them for this advice. And now we’re taking it out and asking Albertans what they think of it. It’s a very important phase.”
Following the public session, Watson said the government will take the advice from the RAC and the input from the public and develop a draft regional plan.
That plan will be taken back to the public for review and comment, Watson said.
“Regional plans are very much developed in consultation with Albertans and stakeholders and municipalities and other groups as well,” he said.
Watson described the regional plans, undertaken as part of the 2008 Alberta Land-Use Framework, as important documents that provide a blueprint for future use of land and resources.
“And we know in southern Alberta there are issues of water and population growth and land conservation. These are key issues in the region going forward. About 45 per cent of Alberta’s population is located in the South Saskatchewan region,” Watson said.
As part of the process, the RAC offered advice on water, population and economic growth and conservation
“We’re putting that advice out there and asking what Albertans think of it.”
During the public session at the Radisson Nov. 21, Watson said government representatives will be on hand to provide a facilitated tour with an opportunity to discuss the land-use framework and how regional plans will be used.
Input can be provided in person during the session or by filling out a workbook available at the session or by going to www.landuse.alberta.ca and clicking on the “Public Consultations” link.
More information on the SSRP can be found online at www.landuse.alberta.ca
The deadline to use the workbook to provide feedback is Dec. 21.
A public session is also scheduled to be held at the Cochrane Ranche House on Nov. 22 from 4-8 p.m.
The South Saskatchewan Region covers 83,764 square kilometres from the Rocky Mountains to the U.S. border and east to the Alberta-Saskatchewan border. The region represents 12.6 per cent of Alberta’s landmass.
