South Saskatchewan regional planning

Overview

The Alberta government is committed to managing the long-term cumulative effects of development on the environment at the regional scale. The Land Use Secretariat leads the process for the development of regional plans for government. Alberta Environment and Protected Areas contributes to regional plan development and implementation with content related to environmental and resource management outcomes for air, land, water and biodiversity.

In July 2014 the Government of Alberta approved the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan (SSRP), which was subsequently amended in May 2018 to incorporate newly established parks and sub-regional plans.

Environmental management frameworks

The plan includes environmental management frameworks for air and surface water quality. It also commits to developing a biodiversity management framework. These frameworks help manage the long-term cumulative effects of development and activities on the regional environment. The frameworks:

• include regional outcomes and objectives
• identify indicators to help understand conditions of the environment
• set regional threshold values, including triggers and limits
• establish a management response if triggers or limits are exceeded
• outline monitoring, evaluation and reporting requirements

This proactive management approach helps ensure negative trends are identified early and reduces the risk of exceeding regional ambient limits.

• South Saskatchewan Region Air Quality Management Framework
• South Saskatchewan Region Surface Water Quality Management Framework

Thresholds – Limits and triggers

Management frameworks establish environmental thresholds that can include limits and triggers. Limits are clear boundaries not to be exceeded. Triggers are warning signals that allow for evaluation, adjustment and innovation on an ongoing basis.

This proactive and dynamic management approach helps ensure that:

• trends are identified and assessed
• regional limits are not exceeded
• the environment remains healthy for the region’s residents and ecosystems.

Fact sheets

• South Saskatchewan Region Environmental Management Frameworks Fact Sheet
• South Saskatchewan Region Air Quality Management Framework Fact Sheet
• South Saskatchewan Region Surface Water Quality Management Framework Fact Sheet

Reports

Annual progress reports

Annual reports document the progress made toward implementing the strategies outlined in SSRP:

• Progress Report – 2016
• Progress Report – 2015

Ambient environmental condition

Status reports on ambient environmental monitoring under environmental management frameworks include:

• 2020-2021 Status of Surface Water Quality, South Saskatchewan Region
• 2019-2020 Status of Surface Water Quality, South Saskatchewan Region
• 2018-2020 Status of Air Quality in Alberta: Air Zones Report
• 2019 Status of Air Quality, South Saskatchewan Region
• 2018-2019 Status of Surface Water Quality, South Saskatchewan Region
• 2018 Status of Air Quality, South Saskatchewan Region
• 2017-2018 Status of Surface Water Quality, South Saskatchewan Region, Alberta
• 2017 Status of Air Quality, South Saskatchewan Region, Alberta
• April 2016 to March 2017 Status of Surface Water Quality
• April 2015 to March 2016 Status of Surface Water Quality
• 2015 and 2016 Status of Air Quality
• April 2014 to March 2015 Status of Air Quality
• 2014 Status of Air Quality

Management response

Reports range in date from 2016 onwards. To view the reports, see:

• South Saskatchewan Region status of management response for environmental management frameworks

Indicator data and supporting documentation

• Biodiversity Indicator: Interior Habitat
• Biodiversity Indicator: Stream Connectivity

Related publication

• Report on Discussion Sessions for the Development of Management Frameworks for Surface Water Quality and Air Quality for the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan