Rocky View County (RVC) responded in writing to the Province’s draft South Saskatchewan Regional Plan (SSRP) early in January with five main concerns.
RVC Communications Coordinator Stacy McGuire said council and County staff met once to review their response to the draft plan, and while the County generally agrees with the 157-page document, “there are some areas of concern that were noted in the response.”
More than four years in the making, the draft SSRP outlines water, air and land-use objectives for the region over the next 50 years as communities in the Province continue to grow. It is the second of seven regional planning documents initiated by the Government of Alberta.
The SSRP region extends from the Canada-United States border to north of Airdrie, and from the Rocky Mountains to the Alberta-Saskatchewan boundary, affecting 77 municipalities across Alberta, including RVC. The land is home to 45 per cent of the Province’s population, and also includes grazing and cropland, forestry, recreation areas, and oil and mining activity.
According to the plan, long-term economic, environmental and social goals need to be in place to manage the province’s land and natural resources in the face of population growth and ongoing development. The draft plan identifies 32 new and expanded conservation and recreation areas, sets environmental limits, protects water supplies and identifies land uses.
In RVC’s response, it was noted the plan doesn’t identify how enforcement will be effected.
“There is no indication of an enforcement body or an appeals board for dealing with compliance regarding the plan,” states the County’s response to the SSRP.
Water issues were also a noted concern for County staff, who RVC said was not addressed in the draft plan.
“How water and wastewater is distributed and managed is a significant issue for sustainable economic growth in the County, particularly with a provincial moratorium on issuing new water licenses,” in a County summary report .
RVC also noted the draft SSRP suggests downloading more roles and responsibilities onto municipalities from the Province, “but the plan does not clearly define what these roles are, and who will provide the additional financial and administrative resources that would be required to implement them,” states the County summary report.
The summary said the draft SSRP proposes accommodating new social infrastructure, such as community halls, fire stations, and recreation facilities, but does not address how to fund them.
“RVC is already building all it can with the money it has. The County would like to have the ability to determine and require the resources necessary to provide sustainable communities,” states the County.
Lastly, the County said participation in regional and sub-regional planning groups, such as the Calgary Regional Partnership, should remain voluntary.
McGuire said the County did not hold public workshops as the Province held 21 public sessions across the region in November 2013 for input. Albertans can submit their input on the plan until Feb. 28, by visiting www.landuse.alberta.ca The plan is expected to be finalized by April.
