Province seeks views on land use...many hot topics

DebraW · 30-04-2007, 02:25 PM

Province seeks views on land use
Public consultation launched today touches many hot topics

Jason Markusoff, edmontonjournal.com
Published: Monday, April 30, 2007

The provincial government is asking Albertans whether it should declare more land off-limits to energy developers, among other things.

Warning that Alberta’s “hyper-boom” has created conflicts for everyone from farmers and off-roaders to oilwell drillers and municipal planners, Sustainable Resources Minister Ted Morton launched a wide-ranging public consultation today to help craft a provincial land-use strategy.

He predicted Alberta’s fast-growing population will hit five million in a couple of decades.

"Our goal is that in 20 years, we don’t want to say to our grandchildren, ‘I wish you could have seen Alberta 20 years ago,’ ” Morton told reporters.

Alberta has seen many battles over land use in recent years, including clashes over oilsands development in the boreal forest, oil and gas exploration on the eastern slopes of the Rockies, coalbed methane’s effects on agricultural water supplies, rural development along urban boundaries and the use of all-terrain vehicles on undeveloped land.

“None of you are going to be 100-per-cent happy with this, because it does involve trade-offs, and it does involve some compromises, and it does involve some give-and-take,” Morton said.

The government has spent the past year privately consulting various players and will hold forums this month in 15 communities. Morton said a draft report on Alberta’s land-use framework will come out by year’s end.

Liberal MLA Bill Bonko said Premier Ed Stelmach has already tainted debate on land-use by saying he won’t “touch the brake” to slow energy development because it would harm the economy.

“Oil and gas has an impact on the landscape. It’s got to be on the table,” Bonko said. “Whether or not this government has the political will to include it has yet to be determined.”

jmarkusoff@thejournal.canwest.com
© Edmonton Journal 2007

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30-04-2007, 02:25 PM	#1
DebraW Addicted to C2E Join Date: Mar 2006	Province seeks views on land use...many hot topics Province seeks views on land use Public consultation launched today touches many hot topics Jason Markusoff, edmontonjournal.com Published: Monday, April 30, 2007 The provincial government is asking Albertans whether it should declare more land off-limits to energy developers, among other things. Warning that Alberta’s “hyper-boom” has created conflicts for everyone from farmers and off-roaders to oilwell drillers and municipal planners, Sustainable Resources Minister Ted Morton launched a wide-ranging public consultation today to help craft a provincial land-use strategy. He predicted Alberta’s fast-growing population will hit five million in a couple of decades. "Our goal is that in 20 years, we don’t want to say to our grandchildren, ‘I wish you could have seen Alberta 20 years ago,’ ” Morton told reporters. Alberta has seen many battles over land use in recent years, including clashes over oilsands development in the boreal forest, oil and gas exploration on the eastern slopes of the Rockies, coalbed methane’s effects on agricultural water supplies, rural development along urban boundaries and the use of all-terrain vehicles on undeveloped land. “None of you are going to be 100-per-cent happy with this, because it does involve trade-offs, and it does involve some compromises, and it does involve some give-and-take,” Morton said. The government has spent the past year privately consulting various players and will hold forums this month in 15 communities. Morton said a draft report on Alberta’s land-use framework will come out by year’s end. Liberal MLA Bill Bonko said Premier Ed Stelmach has already tainted debate on land-use by saying he won’t “touch the brake” to slow energy development because it would harm the economy. “Oil and gas has an impact on the landscape. It’s got to be on the table,” Bonko said. “Whether or not this government has the political will to include it has yet to be determined.” jmarkusoff@thejournal.canwest.com © Edmonton Journal 2007 --30--