This release was issued under a previous government.

“The Livingstone-Porcupine Hills area is a tremendous public resource, and engaging Albertans in the planning process is essential to getting the best plans possible. We need plans that protect the region’s headwaters, biodiversity, esthetic beauty, and cultural and historic values, while accommodating an appropriate mix of uses, including enhanced recreation activities.”

Shannon Phillips, Minister of Environment and Parks

Located in southwestern Alberta, the Livingstone-Porcupine Hills is part of Alberta’s Eastern Slopes. The area provides much of the region’s drinking water, includes extensive portions of an ecologically diverse landscape, and is identified in the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan (SSRP) as a priority for Land Footprint and Recreation Management planning.

The draft Land Footprint Management Plan manages the impacts of competing land-use demands from expanding human development, while providing continued opportunities for economic development and recreation.

The draft Recreation Management Plan provides recommendations on how various recreation activities can be accommodated in the region.

Both draft plans have been released, and the government wants to hear from First Nations, stakeholders and the public. The province appreciates the input it has received over the past three years through extensive engagement. Feedback received during this stage of engagement will be added to that information as final plans are drafted.

Stakeholder and public engagement runs until 4 p.m. on April 26, 2018. To read the draft plans and provide feedback online, please visit talkaep.alberta.ca/livingstone-porcupine-hills-footprint-and-recreation-planning.

Background

  • The South Saskatchewan Regional Plan (SSRP) came into effect in September 2014. The plan establishes the long-term vision for the region and aligns provincial policies at the regional level to balance Alberta’s economic, environmental and social goals.
  • Prioritized strategic values in the SSRP include:
    • Watershed and headwaters integrity
    • Maintaining biodiversity and habitat connectivity
    • Wildfire risk management
    • Integrated management of public land uses
  • The Livingstone and Porcupine Hills area is identified in the SSRP as a priority for Land Footprint and Recreation Management planning.
  • Alberta Environment and Parks planning staff have been working closely with First Nations and stakeholders using a three-stage engagement approach to inform the draft Livingstone and Porcupine Hills Land Footprint Management Plan and Recreation Management Plan.
    • Stage 1 occurred between March 2015 and March 2016 and involved meeting with First Nations and stakeholders to present the scope and intent of the planning processes.
    • Stage 2 occurred between April 2016 and April 2017 and involved meeting with First Nations and stakeholders to present modelling results and management alternatives.
    • Stage 3 Consultations with First Nations, stakeholders and the public will occur to solicit feedback on both draft plans. Feedback and comments collected during Stage 3 will be added to information gathered in previous stages for consideration as final plans are drafted.