DRAFT Cold Lake - Alberta · 2021. 3. 29. · March 2021 Draft Cold Lake Sub-regional Plan . Classification: Public . Table of Contents ... (GoA) is committed to maintaining jobs,

Classification: Public

DRAFT Cold Lake Sub-regional Plan

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Environment and Parks, Government of Alberta March 2021

Draft Cold Lake Sub-regional Plan

Classification: Public

Table of Contents

Part I: Introduction.......................................................................................................................... v

Purpose ........................................................................................................................................ vi

Strategic Management Outcomes ............................................................................................... vi

Part II: Legislative and Policy Context for Sub-regional Planning ........................................... vi

Part III: A Balanced Approach ..................................................................................................... vii

Integrated Land Management ..................................................................................................... vii

Ecosystem-based Management ................................................................................................ viii

Adaptive Management ............................................................................................................... viii

Boreal Woodland Caribou Recovery.......................................................................................... viii

Managing Multi-species ............................................................................................................... ix

Part IV: The Sub-regional Planning Area .................................................................................... ix

Vision for the Sub-region ............................................................................................................ xii

Part V: Cold Lake Sub-regional Plan ............................................................................................ 1

1.0 Indigenous Land Uses ........................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Indigenous Participation in Economic Opportunities ................................................... 1

1.2 Understanding Indigenous Traditional Land-use Areas .............................................. 2

1.3 Supporting Indigenous Traditional Land Use .............................................................. 2

1.4 Indigenous Participation in Land-use Planning and Natural Resource Management . 3

2.0 Cold Lake Sub-regional Access Management Plan .............................................................. 4

2.1 Technical Design of the Access Management Plan .................................................... 5

2.2 Developing New Access .............................................................................................. 8

2.3 Watercourse Crossings ............................................................................................. 11

2.4 Access to the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range .......................................................... 11

3.0 Energy and Mineral Activity ................................................................................................. 12

3.1 Sales of New Crown Mineral Agreements ................................................................. 12

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3.2 Oil Sands ................................................................................................................... 13

3.3 Petroleum and Natural Gas ....................................................................................... 15

3.4 Coal and Metallic and Mineral ................................................................................... 16

3.5 Energy Development Agreements ............................................................................. 17

4.0 Pipeline Development and Maintenance ............................................................................. 18

4.1 Pipeline Construction and Operations ....................................................................... 18

4.2 Pipeline Access Allowances ...................................................................................... 19

5.0 Geophysical Exploration ...................................................................................................... 20

5.1 Requirements for Geophysical Exploration in the Cold Lake Sub-region ................. 20

6.0 Forestry ................................................................................................................................ 22

6.1 Forest Harvesting Requirements ............................................................................... 24

7.0 Surface Material Extraction (Sand, Gravel, Borrow) ............................................................ 28

7.1 Requirements for Surface Material Extraction (Sand, Gravel, and Borrow) Activity in the Cold Lake Sub-region ....................................................................................................... 28

8.0 Peat ...................................................................................................................................... 30

8.1 Requirements for Peat Extraction in the Cold Lake Sub-region ................................ 30

9.0 Transmission Lines .............................................................................................................. 32

9.1 Requirements for Transmission Line Activities in the Cold Lake Sub-region .................. 32

10.0 Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Activities ....................................................................... 33

10.1 Recreation and Tourism Requirements in the Cold Lake Sub-region ........................... 34

11.0 Other Anthropogenic Disturbance ..................................................................................... 37

12.0 Natural Disturbance ........................................................................................................... 37

12.1 Wildfire ....................................................................................................................... 37

12.2 Insects and Pathogens (Not Including Pine Beetle) .................................................. 38

12.3 Mountain Pine Beetle ................................................................................................. 38

13.0 Livestock Grazing in the Green Area ................................................................................. 39

13.1 Requirements for Grazing Dispositions in the Green Area of the Cold Lake Sub-region 39

14.0 Restoring Legacy Seismic Lines ........................................................................................ 40

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15.0 Wildlife ................................................................................................................................ 41

16.0 Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting ............................................................................... 42

16.1 Performance Indicators.............................................................................................. 42

17.0 Plan Review ....................................................................................................................... 45

18.0 Glossary ............................................................................................................................. 46

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Part I: Introduction The Government of Alberta (GoA) is committed to maintaining jobs, building local economies, and supporting strong communities, while ensuring the conservation and management of our public lands. An important part of government’s approach to managing public lands is the involvement of local Albertans – those who live, work and recreate on the landscape. This was key to informing the draft Cold Lake Sub-regional Plan, and will be important as engagement on the plan is completed.

As part of its commitment to achieving and maintaining naturally self-sustaining woodland caribou populations, in 2019, the GoA established the Northeast Caribou Sub-regional Task Force (Task Force) to develop recommendations that would inform the development of this sub-regional plan. Government initiated a sub-regional approach to caribou recovery because it ensures we consider and balance a broader range of interests and activities. The Task Force included representatives familiar with the Cold Lake sub-region, from local municipalities, Indigenous peoples, the energy and forestry sectors, trappers, recreational users, environmental non-government organizations, and other local stakeholders and knowledge holders. The Task Force recommendations were important to the development of management approaches that support naturally functioning ecosystems, including a wide range of species. In line with Task Force recommendations, and commitments under the Alberta-Canada Section 11 Conservation Agreement for Boreal Caribou under the Species at Risk Act, the plan includes a focus on the conservation and recovery of boreal woodland caribou habitat and populations.

Alberta’s land and resources support our economy, vibrant communities, and many subsistence, recreational and cultural opportunities, including Indigenous1 traditional land use and culture, and activities associated with the exercise of First Nations’ Treaty rights, as well as harvesting by recognized Métis harvesters. This sub-regional plan is meant to build on Alberta’s environmental leadership by providing clear guidance and direction to regulators, and enable a working landscape that supports economic opportunities now, and into the future. While this plan provides clarity for the regulatory system to enable efficient transparent decisions, it also demonstrates Alberta’s commitment to develop our resources while also supporting other land-uses and the variety of wildlife and ecosystems across the sub-region. The holistic approach to land and resource management will support healthy, resilient ecosystems capable of supporting Alberta’s economic, social, and environmental objectives for the Cold Lake sub-region.

1 For the purposes of this sub-regional plan, the term Indigenous means one or both of First Nation or Metis.

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Purpose Albertans understand the importance of stewardship of the province’s natural resources to maintain a way of life today and for future generations. The Cold Lake sub-region supports local, Indigenous and provincial economies by providing opportunities for forestry, oil and gas, tourism and recreation, hunting, fishing, trapping, and other activities. Some of these activities alter the landscape and contribute to the change, disturbance, and fragmentation of habitats and ecosystems. This plan provides certainty for resource development industries by outlining a series of management approaches and requirements for development and restoration of human footprint which aim to maintain or re-establish ecological processes, including landscape and habitat intactness. In doing so, this plan provides certainty that our public lands are capable of supporting the interests of all Albertans, including Indigenous peoples, for the present and into the future.

Strategic Management Outcomes Approaches and requirements in this plan focus on achieving three strategic outcomes:

Outcome 1: Support economic opportunities that provide benefits to local municipalities, Indigenous peoples, and the rest of Alberta.

Outcome 2: Consolidate development over time to support landscape intactness, and naturally self-sustaining plant and wildlife populations, with a focus on species at risk.

Outcome 3: Support recreational, cultural and traditional land uses in the sub-region for the benefit of local people and all Albertans.

Part II: Legislative and Policy Context for Sub-regional Planning Under the Land-use Framework, the GoA has affirmed an enhanced Integrated Resource Management System that sets out an approach for managing the province’s land and natural resources. Regional priorities, outcomes and direction are established through regional plans created under the Alberta Land Stewardship Act (ALSA).

The Cold Lake Sub-regional Plan may become effective in accordance with Section 13(5) of ALSA as a sub-regional plan under the LARP, pending approval of the Lieutenant Governor in

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Council. It is the intent that the Cold Lake Sub-regional plan will be implemented as part of LARP’s Implementation Plan and it is the intent that regulatory or enforcement components in this plan will be added to LARP’s Regulatory Details.

Part III: A Balanced Approach Achieving the outcomes of the sub-regional plan means it must consider and balance multiple values across the landscape. This balanced approach takes advantage of integrated land Management, Ecosystem-based Management, and Adaptive Management to ensure the activities on the landscape and their impacts work toward achieving the outcomes of the plan (Figure 1).

Figure 1. The sub-regional plan was developed using a combination of integrated land management, ecosystem-based management and adaptive management.

Integrated Land Management Integrated Land Management (ILM) brings key land and resource users together to promote coordinated land use, and thereby improved land and resource stewardship. Accordingly, application of ILM is needed during all phases of land use and resource management. In particular, ILM seeks to coordinate access for resource extraction developments, reduce human footprint, and conserve or improve habitat conditions for various species. ILM also facilitates an improved understanding of how various activities, when considered together, will occur on the

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landscape, and an understanding of the individual and cumulative effects of development activities.

Ecosystem-based Management Ecosystem-based management (EBM) is an approach that considers ecological values and natural systems as a leading component in decision-making related to resource management. This structured approach supports identification and achievement of environmental goals and objectives.

Adaptive Management Adaptive management is a key component of both ILM and EBM. Achieving these goals and objectives may require adjustments to resource management requirements and approaches over time, particularly in consideration of events like wildfires that can greatly change the landscape. Adaptive management enables structured adjustments to the sub-regional plan and its management approaches, based on how well it achieved its outcomes during plan implementation. This relies on identifying and monitoring key indicators, which show us the effectiveness of management approaches.

Indicators are needed in relation to various management sections in the sub-regional plan, including the Access Management Plan (AMP) and the temporal and spatial occurrence of forest harvesting and other development footprint features. Detailed descriptions of these indicators and how they will be used to evaluate future landscapes can be found in Section 16.0 – Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting.

Boreal Woodland Caribou Recovery A primary driver for the development of this plan is to address caribou conservation and recovery in the Cold Lake and Christina caribou ranges. Caribou populations in Alberta are listed as threatened under both Alberta’s Wildlife Act and Canada’s Species at Risk Act. This sub-regional plan demonstrates actions to support caribou conservation and recovery, as identified in the provincial woodland caribou recovery plan2 and policy, and the federal boreal woodland caribou recovery strategy3. In particular, there is a need to describe how woodland caribou critical habitat

2 Alberta woodland caribou recovery plan 3 Recovery Strategy for the Woodland Caribou, Boreal population (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Canada

https://open.alberta.ca/publications/0778540766

https://species-registry.canada.ca/index-en.html#/consultations/2253

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will be conserved, managed and recovered. The sub-regional plan takes a holistic approach to caribou recovery, considering various interests in the planning area.

Managing Multi-species The GoA’s approach to broader species conservation and management interests within the Cold Lake sub-region is embedded in the various landscape management tools that will reduce footprint and disturbance over time. The GoA’s habitat approach to species conservation and management aligns with the Pan-Canadian approach to transforming species at risk conservation in Canada. Through its landscape management tools the SRP aims to assure that a representation of the habitat types within the sub-region will be available, at any given time, to support many species. This habitat approach for multispecies conservation will be used in conjunction with species-specific management tools to assure population recovery and conservation.

The approach is reflected in several elements of the sub-regional plan.

• Important habitats, and habitat connectivity are mapped and understood as part of underlying spatial analysis.

• The AMP considers and seeks to avoid important habitat areas when defining the road network.

• Throughout the sub-region, a setback of long-term development footprint from major rivers and permanent water bodies, supports habitat conservation and wildlife movements.

• Habitat fragmentation, conservation, and restoration will be monitored across the sub-region. Tracking of populations of species of interest will provide additional understanding of what the plan is achieving for habitats and how species are responding.

Part IV: The Sub-regional Planning Area The Cold Lake sub-region is in the south-east part of the LARP area and covers 16,659 square kilometres (km) (Figure 2). Since time immemorial, First Nations peoples have existed in the sub-regional planning area, which overlaps the geographic area of Treaties 6, 8 and 10. Métis

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peoples also share a deep history with this land. The sub-regional planning area is adjacent to various Metis Settlements.

Approximately 17 per cent of the sub-regional area consists of privately owned lands, in the provincially designated White Area. Public lands in the White Area are managed for agriculture, energy and timber production, recreation, soil and water conservation, fish and wildlife habitat, and other uses. The remaining 83 per cent of the sub-regional area is designated as Green Area, which is managed for energy and timber production, watershed health, fish and wildlife habitat, recreation, and other uses. Of note, the Alberta portion of the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range is also located in this sub-region.

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Figure 2. Map of the Cold Lake Sub-regional Planning Area

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Vision for the Sub-region The vision for the Cold Lake sub-region reflects the Land-use Framework’s vision of Albertans working together to respect and care for the land and resources as the foundation of our economic, environmental, and social well-being. The vision describes a desired future state for the Cold Lake sub-region, in which economic opportunities are balanced with social and environmental objectives.

“The Cold Lake sub-region provides opportunities for economic, recreational, and Indigenous land-uses. The sub-region’s working landscape is recognized for supporting economic development, national defense priorities, communities, tourism, and naturally functioning ecosystems that support fish, wildlife, species at risk and biodiversity and the activities associated with Indigenous traditional land uses.”

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Part V: Cold Lake Sub-regional Plan

*It is intended that most of the content under Part V will be implemented as part of LARP’s Implementation Plan, which will provide direction and guidance for decision-makers and project proponents. In some cases, this may include government commitments to complete additional work to support the implementation of this sub-regional plan, which may later become part of the LARP Regulatory Details.

Contents under Part V that will be incorporated into the LARP Regulatory Details, and will become binding legal requirements, are included within the requirements outlined in each section. This content is currently reflected as concepts and will be subject to further drafting as part of finalizing these requirements in the LARP Regulatory Details.*

1.0 Indigenous Land Uses Healthy ecosystems, and the ability to access land and food sources, are integral to support Indigenous ways of life, including food security, culture, spirituality, and the continued exercise of constitutionally protected rights. The GoA also recognizes the importance of partnering with Alberta’s Indigenous peoples in the economic prosperity of the province.

Other sections of this plan outline tools and management approaches that will support ecological integrity and naturally self-sustaining plant and wildlife populations, including caribou, all of which help support traditional land-uses and treaty rights. This section describes approaches to integrate Indigenous knowledge in sub-regional land-use planning and natural resource management, and to support the continued practice of treaty rights, Métis harvesting, and traditional land uses.

1.1 Indigenous Participation in Economic Opportunities

The GoA is committed to supporting the sustainable economic prosperity of Indigenous peoples. The Cold Lake sub-region is important to the provincial economy and supports economic opportunities for Albertans, including Indigenous peoples. Through a working landscape approach, this sub-regional plan supports Indigenous participation in diverse economic opportunities so Indigenous livelihoods are sustainable and available for present and future generations.

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The GoA will consider opportunities to support Indigenous partnerships in economic opportunities resulting from the implementation of this plan, including (but not limited to) those related to habitat restoration activities, development of Indigenous tourism opportunities and delivery of cultural programming, community-based monitoring programs, and activities that supports caribou recovery.

1.2 Understanding Indigenous Traditional Land-use Areas

Understanding Indigenous traditional land uses, access preferences, and locations of important cultural sites is an important precursor to many of the activities outlined in this plan. The GoA will continue to collaborate with Indigenous peoples undertaking traditional land-use mapping and planning in the sub-region, and consider how the results can inform plan implementation. Examples of how this information might be applied include:

• informing placement of trails, • identifying areas where Indigenous traditional land-use is a priority, • identifying sites of cultural significance, such as ceremonial sites and burial grounds, to

be protected (e.g. to avoid road placement and other infrastructure placement), and • selecting areas and treatment for habitat restoration to maintain access to preferred

areas.

A key component of the sub-regional plan is the AMP, as it will facilitate a coordinated road network that minimizes footprint on the landscape over the long-term. As part of the development of the AMP, it will be important to involve Indigenous people to identify existing roads that can be maintained in the long-term, and where future road corridors should be located if and when the need arises. The GoA will work with communities to understand potential impacts to traditional land use within long-term corridors, which can then be used to inform future road applications within the corridors.

To support adequate collaboration and mutual respect, culturally appropriate ways of engaging with Indigenous knowledge holders and wisdom keepers, as well as the respectful sharing and application of Indigenous knowledge, are important to the implementation of this sub-regional plan. The GoA will explore approaches, tools, and leading practices to respect and maintain the sensitive nature of Indigenous knowledge.

1.3 Supporting Indigenous Traditional Land Use

The Task Force recommended greater certainty on areas, including access to areas, preferred by Indigenous peoples, to support the continued practice of treaty rights and harvesting activities of recognized Metis harvesters, as well as other traditional land uses, such as cultural activities.


Indigenous stewardship and traditional land-use priorities can be consistent with conservation objectives and support Indigenous peoples’ rights, culture, and economic interests.

This plan describes a long-term path for the sub-region that will enable a working landscape where well-planned development will take place in different areas over time, and where caribou and Indigenous traditional land uses are supported in the sub-region.

In the near term, some areas that prioritize Indigenous traditional land uses and caribou conservation and recovery will support progress toward the long-term vision. Potential areas will be identified in collaboration with Indigenous peoples as part of the proposed traditional land-use mapping and planning process, and engagement on this draft plan.

1.4 Indigenous Participation in Land-use Planning and Natural Resource Management

This plan describes the GoA’s intent to undertake future land-use planning efforts, including new plans (such as recreation management plans) and plan amendments (such as the Cold Lake Sub-regional Access Management Plan (AMP)). The GoA will continue to look for opportunities to engage Indigenous peoples in transparent, respectful, and ongoing dialogue, and to identify ways of working together that support achieving the goals of Albertans, including Indigenous peoples.

As outlined in the Alberta-Canada Section 11 Conservation Agreement for Boreal Caribou under the Species at Risk Act, Alberta will continue to engage and collaborate with Indigenous peoples on woodland caribou conservation, management, and recovery. The GoA will consider information shared by and opportunities for collaboration with Indigenous peoples in the management of fish and wildlife in the sub-region.

Additionally, in 2019 a Cooperative Management Board was established and will continue to support collaboration with Indigenous peoples in the management of the Dillon River Wildland Provincial Park, part of which is in the Cold Lake sub-region.

While acknowledging that each collaboration and plan is unique, as a starting point for working together, the GoA will consider Indigenous perspectives and values shared during previous planning processes, including the one used to develop this plan.


2.0 Cold Lake Sub-regional Access Management Plan

The Cold Lake sub-region currently has approximately 4,600 kilometres of paved, gravel, and seasonal roads and trails that provide access for resource development, traditional land use or recreation activities. Proponents, seeking access to resources, build the majority of roads across the sub-region. Coordinated road development among multiple companies and across a large landscape is challenging, and is further complicated by considerations of other land uses and land users in the sub-region.

The existing road network (number, location, and scale of roads and trails) has not been sufficiently coordinated, resulting in redundant road development and higher costs for industry in some cases. The abundance of access routes in the Cold Lake sub-region has led to some undesired landscape outcomes, impacting wildlife populations and habitats, and traditional land-use values.

An AMP has been developed for the sub-region. Over time, the resulting access network will have a more efficient placement of roads, reducing footprint and supporting desired outcomes for the sub-region and its various land users. Some benefits of an AMP include:

• reduced construction costs and reduced maintenance costs of roads or trails;

• greater assurance of access to the resources;

• expedited approval process for new road applications that are compliant with the AMP; and

• reduced impacts on wildlife, biodiversity, and traditional land-use values;

The AMP outlines an approach to manage roads, including developing new roads, phasing out unnecessary roads, and restoring forests and other land covers where roads are removed. Development of the AMP for the Cold Lake Sub-region was guided by technical and outcome-based criteria, with allowances for future amendments that are consistent with the outcomes of the sub-regional plan. The AMP was informed by discussions with sub-regional stakeholders and Indigenous peoples. The AMP considers access requirements for development of resources, as well as environmental parameters like wetlands, caribou critical habitat, and other sensitive wildlife habitats. Engagement of Indigenous peoples and sub-regional stakeholders will inform refinements to the AMP. Implementing the AMP is a shared responsibility of regulators, industry stakeholders, and other land users.


2.1 Technical Design of the Access Management Plan

The AMP for the Cold Lake sub-region contains five planning units based on operational boundaries, including rivers, highways and the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range (CLAWR) (Figure 3). Applications to construct or amend roads will be evaluated at the planning unit scale using defined criteria. The AMP does not include the White Area in the sub-region because of the large amount of private land, and municipal and provincial existing long-term access roads that typically align with identified road corridors.

Figure 3. Planning units for the Cold Lake Sub-regional Access Management Plan


The AMP focuses on roads that require the issuance of formal dispositions under the Public Lands Act and are outside the White Area, active oil sands in situ project areas, and protected areas, with the exception of access routes used to travel through active in situ project areas. Temporary access, such as roads approved under a temporary field authorization, or for forest harvest under annual operating plans, are not within the scope of the AMP. The AMP is built on a set of criteria such as suitable site conditions for road construction, minimizing stream crossings, linear density, and overlap with wetlands (as outlined in Section 2.2.). The AMP also accounts for the time required to shift to a more efficient and coordinated system of access by classifying roads as long-term or short-term.

2.1.1 Road Categories

2.1.1.1 Long-term – roads that will be used for many decades.

a) Ongoing appended development is permitted.

2.1.1.2 Short-term – roads that will remain on the landscape to accommodate existing resource development infrastructure.

a) The road or portions of the road that are no longer required to access development infrastructure are required to be reclaimed concurrent with reclamation of the associated infrastructure.

b) As the intent of short-term roads is to maintain access to existing resource development infrastructure until it is no longer required, new appended development will not be allowed on short-term roads. New appended development will occur on long-term roads.


Figure 4. Road Classification in the Cold Lake Access Management Plan


2.2 Developing New Access

The AMP uses detailed landscape information; however, operational planning for each proposed road has not been completed. Developing new access may require an amendment to the proposed routes identified in the AMP as a result of new information, engineering constraints, technological advancements, new best practices, or sensitive environmental features. Amendments are allowed, however the newly proposed road must continue to meet the technical and outcome criteria of the AMP, based on the requirements in sections 2.2.1 – 2.2.3.

Road applications will be evaluated against identified criteria and categorized (Figure 5) as:

• Aligns with the AMP, • Deviates from the AMP, or • Addition to the AMP.

In accordance with applicable GoA policy as it may be from time to time, consultation with Indigenous peoples will continue to occur regarding road applications.

Figure 5. Road applications will be placed into an evaluation category based on the proximity of the proposed center line to the center line identified in the AMP.


2.2.1 Aligns with the AMP Requirements

The AMP will lay out a network of long-term roads and associated access corridors (300 metres on either side of a long-term road). A road application that is located wholly in 300 metres of a corresponding long-term access route will be considered aligned with the AMP (Figure 4, Figure 5) and will be approved for construction, subject to the following requirements:

2.2.1.1 The road classification (1-5) of the proposed road must be lesser or equal to the corresponding route identified in the plan.

2.2.1.2 The proposed road must be designed to allow multiple users. Slope of a road is an important consideration when designing multi-use roads. Road slope must be less than 12% favorable and 8% adverse. If the route has more than one exit point out of a planning unit, 8% is the maximum grade.

2.2.1.3 The proposed road must demonstrate alignment with other long-term road segments outlined in the AMP in order to avoid isolating parts of the sub-region and stranding resources.

2.2.1.4 The right of way does not parallel a named watercourse in 250 metres of the valley break or a water body greater than four hectares in 250 metres of the bed and shore.

2.2.1.5 Upon approval, the proposed road will replace the planned road in the AMP.

2.2.2 Deviates from the AMP Requirements

A road application that is located more than 300 metres from either side of the corresponding long-term access route, but within 1,000 metres of either side of the corresponding long-term access route (Figure 4, Figure 5) will only be approved for construction if it meets the following requirements:

2.2.2.1 The road classification (1-5) of the proposed road must be lesser or equal to the corresponding route identified in the plan.

2.2.2.2 Road grade (slope) must be less than 12% favourable and 8% adverse. If the route has more than one major exit point, 8% is the maximum grade.


2.2.2.3 The proposed road must demonstrate an ability to connect with the remaining long-term road segment outlined in the AMP, in order to avoid isolating parts of the sub-region and stranding resources.

2.2.2.4 The right of way does not parallel a named watercourse in 250 metres of the valley break or a waterbody greater than four hectares in 250 metres of the bed and shore.

2.2.2.5 The addition of the proposed route does not result in the long-term road network exceeding the desired road density in any of the AMP’s five planning units. (Table 1)

2.2.2.6 The addition of the proposed route does not result in the long-term road network exceeding the desired wetland disturbance level in any of the AMP’s 5 planning units. (Table 1)

2.2.2.7 Upon approval, the proposed road will replace the corresponding planned road in the AMP.

2.2.3 Addition to the AMP Requirements

A road application that is located more than 1,000 metres from the corresponding long-term access route will only be approved for construction if it meets the following requirements:

2.2.3.1 The road classification (1-5) of the proposed road must be lesser or equal to the corresponding route in the plan

2.2.3.2 Road grade (slope) must be less than 12% favourable and 8% adverse. If the route has more than one major exit point, 8% is the maximum grade.

2.2.3.3 The proposed road must demonstrate alignment with other long-term road segments outlined in the AMP in order to avoid isolating parts of the sub-region and stranding resources.

2.2.3.4 The right of way does not parallel a named watercourse in 250 metres of the valley break or a waterbody greater than four hectares in 250 metres of the bed and shore.

2.2.3.5 The addition of the proposed route does not result in the long-term road network exceeding the desired road density in any of the AMP’s five planning units. (Table 1)

2.2.3.6 The addition of the proposed route does not result in the long-term road network exceeding the desired wetland disturbance level in any of the AMP’s 5 planning units. (Table 1)

2.2.3.7 At minimum, located six kilometres from an existing or planned long-term road identified in the AMP.


Table 1 Road density and wetland disturbance limits for road development in the Cold Lake sub-region

Planning unit Density excluding oil sands project area (km/km2)

Wetland area disturbed (ha)

North (N) 0.15 390

North West (NW) 0.14 250

South (S) 0.09 120

South West (SW) 0.17 102

Air Weapons Range (Weapon)

0.01 220

2.3 Watercourse Crossings

The impacts of roads on fish and other aquatic life can be direct or indirect. Poorly constructed or poorly maintained watercourse crossings can result in habitat fragmentation, habitat degradation and barriers to fish passage. The GoA’s existing Watercourse Crossing Management Directive and associated tracking system are available for use by land users. This directive provides a consistent monitoring approach and centralized data management process to improve local and provincial watercourse outcomes. Roads that require a Formal Disposition and include a watercourse crossing, must meet the following requirements:

2.3.1 The crossing owner must monitor all watercourse crossings and report all findings as per the Roadway Watercourse Crossing Inspection Manual, as amended from time to time.

2.3.2 The crossing owner must report all watercourse crossing remediation or maintenance efforts at the time of work beginning and at the completion of work.

2.4 Access to the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range

The Cold Lake sub-region encompasses the Alberta portion of the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range (CLAWR), which is made available to the Government of Canada and remains provincial Crown land. Industrial and other activities in the CLAWR are regulated by both the federal and provincial governments. To ensure sub-regional outcomes are met, road access planning in the CLAWR must meet the requirements identified by the federal Department of National Defense and must


include consultation with the provincial land and resource managers, Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) and Alberta Energy.

3.0 Energy and Mineral Activity Alberta is endowed with many natural resources, the development of which has been a significant contributor to the provincial and national economies. Alberta is uniquely positioned to meet global demand for ethically sourced and sustainably developed oil, natural gas, coal, and minerals. Alberta’s high environmental standards, which, in part, are achieved through integrated planning, are a main driver of the province’s environmental, social and governance performance. The energy and mineral approaches in this sub-regional plan will ensure Alberta remains attractive to investors by demonstrating concrete actions that allow for natural resource development while minimizing footprint and landscape fragmentation over space and time.

3.1 Sales of New Crown Mineral Agreements

In September 2016, the sale of Crown mineral rights in all caribou ranges in Alberta was restricted. This measure was put in place to minimize landscape disturbance while Alberta developed strategies and plans to support recovery of caribou habitat and populations on public lands. This sub-regional plan lays out the approach for managing lands for caribou recovery in the Cold Lake caribou range and the Christina sub-range portion of the East Side Athabasca River (ESAR) caribou range.

Upon adoption of this sub-regional plan as part of LARP, the sales restriction may be removed for new Crown mineral agreements in the Cold Lake caribou range and the Christina caribou sub-range of the ESAR range. All new Crown mineral agreements in the Cold Lake sub-region must align with the outcomes and relevant requirements outlined in this plan. Any sales restrictions that overlap with the sub-region, but are not in the caribou range, remain in place and are unaffected by this plan. Under the Mines and Minerals Act, the Minister of Energy may add or remove restrictions on the issuance of Crown mineral agreements.


3.2 Oil Sands

The Cold Lake sub-region includes areas of provincial significance for bitumen production from oil sands, most of which occurs through thermal extraction methods. Oil sands operations are large developments that require approval under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA). The process for successful applicants under the EPEA involves four regulatory steps:

1. Environmental assessment – examines a project to determine what the environmental, social, economic and health implications may be;

2. Public interest decision – the applicable board or minister decides whether it is in the public interest to let the project go ahead;

3. Approval with conditions – regulators give formal approval to the project and set specific conditions for building and operating the project;

4. Compliance – ensures the project is operating in the specified approval conditions.

The number of developed oil sands leases will change over time as new developments work through the regulatory process. Many different companies hold oil sands leases, and the timing of new projects is not easily forecasted. Not all approved and projected oil sands leases are likely to begin development at the same time, and development depends on economic and technical factors. The energy industry has provided development scenarios for the sub-region that, in combination with restoration and reclamation activities and enhanced environmental performance can demonstrate achievement of provincial caribou objectives and federal woodland caribou recovery requirements over the long term.

These developments cover large areas and can require significant footprint across the landscape, so it is important that activities related to oil sands development take place in the in situ project area wherever possible. Constraining oil sands related activities to the in situ project area will ensure that footprint is concentrated, reducing fragmentation and other impacts to the landscape. As new projects come online over time, the permissible footprint associated with oil sands projects will decline - a reflection of Alberta’s desire to be a world-leading supplier of ethical energy and commitments to enhanced conditioning of industry developments as outlined in the Alberta-Canada Section 11 Conservation Agreement for Boreal Caribou.

3.2.1 Restoring Exploration and Evaluation Activities in In Situ Oil Sands

In 2020, the Oil Sands Tenure Regulation, enacted under the Mines and Minerals Act (Alberta) was revised. As a result of these revisions, the minimum level of evaluation (MLE) requirement


was removed in an attempt to simplify the application process to convert or continue oil sands leases. Although the MLE requirement has been removed, evaluation and exploration of oil sands resources will continue through exploration wells and geophysical exploration.

Achievement of desired outcomes for the Cold Lake sub-regional plan is assisted by the timely restoration of footprint associated with various oil sands development activities, including exploration and geophysical activities, particularly where caribou habitat is impacted.

3.2.2 Requirements for Oil Sands Development in Cold Lake Sub-region

Requirements applicable to oil sands development activities and footprint are listed below:

3.2.2.1 New applications for developing energy projects will be evaluated for alignment with energy development scenarios and outcomes of the sub-regional plan (Appendix).

3.2.2.2 New applications for developing oil sands projects that fall in caribou range will not exceed the following disturbance limits (as defined by recovery for boreal woodland caribou strategy):

• Applications submitted before 2025 shall have no disturbance limit of project area. • Applications submitted between 2025 and 2030 shall not exceed 90% disturbance in

the project area. • Applications submitted after 2031 shall not exceed 80% disturbance in the project

area.

3.2.2.3 Companies with approved in situ project areas will complete all related activities in the in situ development area.

3.2.2.4 Recognizing that some activities are dependent on geological formations, the following requirements must be followed for any activity that take place outside the approved in situ project area.

a) Access roads supporting any activities must comply with the access management plan (AMP).

b) Disposal wells: • will be appended in 100 metres of long-term roads as identified in the AMP, and • restoration treatments for the surface of the associated pipeline right of ways must be

completed in four years of pipeline construction.

c) Water wells: • will be appended in 100 metres of a long-term road as identified in the AMP, and


• restoration treatments for the surface of the associated pipeline right of ways must be completed in four years of pipeline construction.

d) Monitoring wells required by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER). • roads associated with monitoring wells will be appended in 100 metres of a long-term

road identified in the AMP.

e) Carbon sequestration facilities. • will be appended in 100 metres of a long-term road identified in the AMP.

f) Other developments that are addressed specifically in this plan - for example, pipelines, transmission lines, and geophysical exploration.

3.2.2.5 To obtain a reclamation certificate, the disposition holder must demonstrate the site is on a trajectory toward pre-existing vegetation condition.

3.2.2.6 Proposed developments in the recreation management areas identified in Figure 9 must be compatible with the objectives and outcomes of the management plan for the area.

3.2.2.7 New permanent footprint is not permitted within 250 metres of the valley break of a named watercourse or in 250 metres of the bed and shore of a waterbody greater than four hectares in size.

3.2.2.8 *Not part of LARP regulatory details* Environment and Parks will engage with oil sands operators, and the AER to review existing wildlife mitigation plans, caribou monitoring and mitigation plans, and other wildlife programs to identify opportunities for alignment and development of a coordinated monitoring and mitigation program for the Cold Lake sub-region.

3.2.2.9 Disturbances that result from evaluation or exploration activities must commence restoration in two years of the activity being completed, and must demonstrate successful restoration (as outlined in the draft Provincial Restoration and Establishment Framework for Legacy Seismic Lines in AB) in 10 years.

3.3 Petroleum and Natural Gas

Natural gas production in the Cold Lake sub-region is less significant in the provincial context than bitumen production, with most gas production from the sub-region now being a by-product of bitumen production. Gas is either vented, flared or collected for use in utility heating and steam generation. Petroleum and natural gas (PNG) activities in the sub-region will be managed to align with the overall objectives of reducing footprint and increasing undisturbed habitat to ensure future development can occur in alignment with the plan, as outlined below:


3.3.1 Future PNG surface disturbance will be appended in 100 metres of a long-term road identified in the AMP.

a) Appended access will not exceed the lesser of, the grade of the associated long-term access road or class 3.

3.3.2 All licensees will be required to meet the mandatory annual site closure spend targets established under the Inventory Reduction Program, as part of the Liability Management Framework. The GoA is working with the Alberta Energy Regulator on the development of the Inventory Reduction Program, including specifically addressing increased site closure needs in caribou ranges.

3.3.3 New tenure in a caribou range must be issued with a no surface disturbance restriction.

3.3.4 New tenure in Recreation Management Areas identified in Figure 9 will only be issued subject to a no surface disturbance restriction.

3.3.5 New tenure acquired in 250 metres of the valley break of a named watercourse or in 250 metres of the bed and shore of a waterbody greater than four hectares in size will only be issued subject to a no surface disturbance restriction.

3.4 Coal and Metallic and Mineral

In the Cold Lake sub-region, metallic and mineral (MIM) agreements that occur by caribou ranges include subsurface reservoir leases that grant the right to use salt formations for subsurface storage caverns. In the oil sands context, these are often used for waste materials from in situ operations. MIM permits grant the right to explore for metallic and industrial minerals.

There are no known coal deposits in the Cold Lake sub-region, and no coal agreements. As the GoA undertakes a renewed minerals strategy, the sub-regional plan will enable further exploration and development in alignment with the objectives of reducing footprint associated with these activities. Any future land use related to metallic and industrial minerals in the sub-region will be subject to the following requirements:

3.4.1 Roads associated with new projects must align with the requirements outlined under

the AMP.


3.4.2 Proposed activities related to metallic and industrial minerals in caribou habitat of the Cold Lake sub-region will be subject to an evaluation of projected footprint against current disturbance forecasts for the sub-region, to make sure the activity does not conflict with caribou recovery objectives (as defined by the Recovery strategy for Boreal Woodland Caribou [2012]).

3.4.3 New tenure in Recreation Management Areas identified in Figure 9 will only be issued subject to a no surface disturbance restriction.

3.4.4 Proposed developments will not be permitted within 250 metres of the valley break of a named watercourse or in 250 metres of the bed and shore of a waterbody greater than four hectares in size.

3.5 Energy Development Agreements

When approved by the Minister of Energy, development agreements are an arrangement to meet an outcome in a defined area over a specified period. Typically, operators agree to limit, delay, or forego activities to reduce negative impacts of their projects, and/or agree to undertake additional activities to achieve desired outcomes for a particular area. In exchange, operators are granted longer periods of time to complete activities that are required of them in order to retain mineral rights. Development agreements in the Cold Lake sub-region will be considered if:

3.5.1 *Not part of LARP regulatory details* apply to all specified activities related to the subject Crown mineral agreements, and all lands and zone(s) in those agreements that are in a caribou range

3.5.2 *Not part of LARP regulatory details* apply to all lessees on the agreement, regardless of whether they are signatories to the development agreement

3.5.3 *Not part of LARP regulatory details* demonstrate benefits to caribou habitat, specifically that outcomes for caribou are significantly improved relative to what would occur in the absence of a development agreement

3.5.4 *Not part of LARP regulatory details* identify areas that will have no new disturbance related to accessing resources associated with those tenures; and

3.5.5 *Not part of LARP regulatory details* demonstrate that resources will not be stranded.


4.0 Pipeline Development and Maintenance Pipelines are an essential component of the oil and gas industry and are critical to moving Alberta products to markets. The Cold Lake sub-region includes a lot of pipeline infrastructure across the landscape. While important, pipelines and their associated infrastructure make up a significant portion of the footprint across the sub-region. Pipelines also provide a unique opportunity to reduce footprint relative to other types of land uses because the infrastructure itself is located mostly underground. Reducing the footprint associated with pipeline infrastructure in the sub-region will improve habitat outcomes for species and create future opportunities for other types of development and investment to occur in the sub-region.

Reducing the surface footprint of below-ground pipelines in the caribou range portion of the Cold Lake sub-region contributes directly to the achievement of caribou habitat recovery objectives. By retaining vegetation during construction and revegetating portions of new and existing pipeline corridors throughout caribou ranges, pipeline companies can contribute to improving caribou critical habitat over time. While pipelines offer an opportunity for achieving habitat objectives, it is necessary that pipeline operators continue to be able to access their pipelines for emergency response and routine maintenance.

4.1 Pipeline Construction and Operations

Requirements for pipeline construction and operations within caribou range are described below:

4.1.1 Revegetation of pipeline disposition to maintain representative vegetative cover. Vegetative cover must be equivalent to pre-disturbance conditions, including tree cover on forested eco-sites.

a) Compliance with the current draft of Alberta’s draft Provincial Restoration and Establishment Framework for Legacy Seismic lines in AB.

4.1.2 Residual linear corridors in the pipeline disposition must not exceed four metres in width.

4.1.3 Human access must be effectively limited on pipeline corridors using strategies determined collaboratively by Environment and Parks, the Alberta Energy Regulator, and the disposition holder. Implementation of measures to limit human access must occur concurrently with delivery of actions to revegetate corridors.

4.1.4 Revegetation programs for existing pipeline right of ways will include inventory of pre-construction site conditions, planning treatments, and implementation of revegetation


treatments (where required). In recognition of the effort required, pipeline operators will have 20 years following the approval date of this sub-regional plan to re-establish vegetation on existing right of ways.

4.1.5 Revegetation of new pipeline projects must be completed in two years of pipeline installation.

4.1.6 New pipeline projects will not parallel a named watercourse in 250 metres of the valley break or a waterbody greater than four hectares in 250 metres of the bed and shore.

4.1.7 Proposed pipeline infrastructure developments in the recreation management areas identified in Figure 9 must be compatible with the objectives and outcomes of the recreation management plan for the area.

To account for the requirements listed in section 4.1, the following allowances are provided:

4.2 Pipeline Access Allowances

4.2.1 Emergency access. During a pipeline emergency, immediate access to the right of ways is permitted from the nearest practical access point to the location of the emergency.

a) New vegetation clearing is permitted to enable access to the emergency site.

b) The new vegetation clearing must be reported as required by the regulator

c) Restoration treatments of the access must commence in two years of the emergency being remedied, and completed in four years in accordance with the Provincial Restoration and Establishment Framework for Legacy Seismic lines in AB.

4.2.2 Maintenance access. When the least impactful way of accessing a section of pipeline or associated infrastructure for maintenance is to develop new temporary access from a nearby road, instead of disturbing a long section of pipeline disposition. When access is required outside of an existing pipeline corridor, notification must be provided to the regulator a minimum 14 days before accessing the site.

a) New temporary vegetation clearing (outside and in the right of way) is permitted to enable access to the site.

b) Notifications must include a spatial file of the access route

c) The pipeline operator must develop an access plan that outlines environmental considerations, historical resource considerations and mitigation plans as required.


d) If requested, the pipeline operator must provide the plan to the regulator for review.

e) Restoration treatments of the access must commence in two years of the maintenance activity ending and completed in four years.

4.2.3 Clearings wider than four metres are permitted for above-ground infrastructure to allow for safe ongoing operations. This includes, but is not limited to, valve sites, helicopter pads, cathodic protection, and thermal electric generators.

4.2.4 Clearings are permitted where pipeline corridors are located in active in situ development areas.

4.2.5 Clearings are permitted for monitoring sites (for example, geotechnical hazard locations that require a clearing).

5.0 Geophysical Exploration Geophysical exploration is used to determine the type and location of sub-surface resources. This has been used extensively across the sub-region to identify oil and gas and oil sands deposits. Linear footprint associated with geophysical exploration activities can leave the landscape fragmented, in some cases indefinitely, because of slow or no vegetation regrowth. Geophysical exploration techniques and technology continue to improve, and offer an opportunity to reduce the near-and-long term footprint associated with seismic lines. Ensuring that new, low-impact techniques and technologies are deployed across the landscape will play an important role in reducing geophysical footprint over time and increasing undisturbed habitat.

5.1 Requirements for Geophysical Exploration in the Cold Lake Sub-region

Geophysical approaches vary across the sub-region and over time as needs evolve from exploration to monitoring. To account for the differences, exploration and geophysical requirements differ depending on whether they are undertaken as part of an approved oil sands project. New technology is providing an opportunity to reduce or eliminate the need for clearing receiver lines. Adoption of and transition to newer technology requires time, and will occur over the next four years.

5.1.1 Vegetation clearing must meet the following requirements:

a) Receiver lines must be meandering, and use tree avoidance techniques.


b) Receiver lines shall not exceed 1.75 metres in width.

c) After December 31, 2024 receiver lines shall not exceed 0.75 metres in width.

e) Source lines must not exceed 2.75 metres in width, must employ tree avoidance techniques, and meander to limit line of sight to less than 100 metres.

f) Access lines in the program area (not source or receiver lines), including use of existing linear features, must not exceed three metres in width.

g) Turn-around clearings at the end of the source lines and access lines are permitted.

h) Doglegs must be employed at all intersections with linear features that are greater than 3.5 metres in width.

5.1.2. Helipads must be constructed in natural open areas or existing clearings where they exist. If required, prepared helipads must not result in clearings that exceed 35 metres in diameter.

5.1.3 Shot holes drop zones used in heli-portable programs must not exceed 16 square metres.

5.1.4 Outside of approved oil sands in situ project area, access control must be established and extended for 100 metres from all intersections with linear features greater than 3.5 metres. Access control must effectively deter off highway vehicle use. Access control options may include, but are not limited to :

a) debris roll back,

b) tree felling or bending across the line, and

c) reforestation site preparation.


6.0 Forestry Forest management practices in Alberta have evolved over time. Historically, multiple pass harvesting systems have been used, which are designed to minimize opening size and disperse disturbance across the landscape over many decades. Current practices often strive to emulate natural disturbance patterns. Increasingly there is consideration of when, where and how much harvesting can occur over time, and harvesting plans continue to reflect other interests and values. Current forest management practices take into account non-timber values, such as biodiversity, wildlife habitat, water integrity, and soil productivity and continue to evolve in the direction of ecosystem-based management (EBM). Using adaptive management, forestry practices in the sub-region will continue to work toward EBM by adjusting to changes from both anthropogenic and natural disturbance at a sub-regional level.

As part of the EBM approach, forest harvesting strategies in caribou ranges have been adapted in consideration of caribou requirements for large areas of undisturbed habitat, which are mostly mature and old coniferous forest. Future forest harvesting in the caribou ranges will focus on aggregating (Figure 7) forestry activities to minimize the overall extent of forestry related disturbance, and create larger patches of intact habitat as the forest regrows. During the first decades, harvesting plans seek to limit harvesting activities in areas that currently show high caribou occupancy.

Of note, there are two functioning community timber programs in Forest Management Unit (FMU) LO1. These programs will not be required to follow the aggregated harvest approach.


Figure 6. Standard spatial harvest sequence approach to forest harvest compared to an aggregated forest harvest pattern after 40 years. Colour blocks in the diagram represent areas available for harvest.

Aggregating harvest areas further reduces the amount of forestry access required during any given timeframe and therefore slows and reduces habitat disturbance over time. Aggregated harvest approaches also offer the potential benefit of reducing construction and maintenance costs for the forest sector. Grouping harvest activities will also enable regrowth of contiguous forest patches in areas that are fragmented by legacy seismic lines. Using an aggregate approach has an additional benefit of reducing potential large scale wildfires by reducing large areas of landscape fuel connectivity.


The location, extent, timing, and rate of forest harvesting are key components of adaptive forest management – these factors need to be considered to maintain, manage, and recover adequate undisturbed habitat and biophysical habitat for caribou in each range. In addition, harvest location is a key consideration in relation to both patterns of caribou population occupancy and available biophysical habitat in a caribou range during a given period. In general, it will be important to monitor and adjust harvest activities to provide adequate amounts of habitat, in spatial patterns and at landscape-level scales that are effective for caribou and other wildlife.

6.1 Forest Harvesting Requirements

6.1.1 Appended development requiring a disposition will have a road that is no further than 100 metres from an approved long-term access road identified in the access management plan.

6.1.2 Permanent developments in the recreation management areas identified in Figure 9 must be compatible with the objectives and outcomes of the recreation management plan for the area.

6.1.3 New permanent footprint will not be allowed in 250 metres of the valley break of a named river or in 250 metres of the bed and shore of a waterbody greater than four hectares.

Forest harvesting in caribou ranges will follow an aggregated harvesting approach (excluding FMU LO1 community timber program compartment) that requires the following:

6.1.4 Harvest areas in caribou range are broken into harvest timing units (HTU) and shall be applied as illustrated in Figure 7.

6.1.5 The HTUs available for harvesting applicable stands will become available for harvest during the predetermined decade. If applicable stands in a given HTU are not fully harvested, in the specified time period, the HTU will continue to be available during the following time period, and the following will apply:

a) Harvesting in the HTU must be completed before initiating harvest in the next specified HTU(s).

b) When harvesting has been initiated in the next HTU, there will be no further harvesting in the preceding HTU until the following rotation.

6.1.6 Legacy seismic footprint in new harvest blocks will be reforested to the same standard as the surrounding harvest block.

a) Ongoing access following reforestation along specified legacy seismic lines, for Indigenous traditional land use and trapper access, shall not exceed two metres in width, and will require approval as part of the annual operating plan.


b) Exemption may be provided for seismic lines that are part of the provincial recreation trail plan.

6.1.7 Temporary roads, landings, storage sites, and camp locations associated with forestry activities shall be restored, in addition to any requirements listed in operating ground rules.

a) Roads must undergo restoration treatment in three years of a HTU closing.

b) This includes roads that follow pre-existing disturbance not currently under disposition.


Figure 7. Forest harvest timing units (HTU) in caribou range. Each HTU represents a 10-year time period.


Adaptive Management As with all land uses, forest harvesting does not occur in isolation on the landscape, therefore changes to the forest (for example, wildfire, new oil sands projects on the landscape) may require an evaluation and possible modification to forest management plans.

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, and AEP will review forest management plans in accordance to existing forest management systems, and as part of the overall sub-regional plan review in the following scenarios:

• if the amount of young seral forest (less than 40 years old) exceeds 75% of the natural range of variation as determined by Agriculture and Forestry, and Environment and Parks,

• if the amount of old forest (older than 120 years) declines below 25% of the natural range of variation,

• the cumulative natural disturbance area exceeds 2% of the sub-region that overlaps FMUL11 and FMU L01 in eight years of the plan’s effective date, and

• if the annual total natural disturbance in the caribou range exceeds 10%.

During the review of the sub-regional plan, and if changes are required the resulting plan must demonstrate the following:

• Harvest locations will avoid areas of high caribou occupancy during the first 20-year period of the new plan.

• The harvest plan will not result in a seral stage change below the one standard deviation for any stand type based on the natural range of variation.

- The seral stage change will apply to the portion of each FMU that falls in the sub-region.


7.0 Surface Material Extraction (Sand, Gravel, Borrow) Sand, gravel and borrow are critical building blocks for economic development across the province, as they are used to create the infrastructure needed to develop resources (e.g. roads, well pads). The extraction of surface materials has a relatively small disturbance footprint compared to other industrial land use and extraction is generally located near the industrial developments it is servicing. Management of surface material extraction includes:

7.1 Requirements for Surface Material Extraction (Sand, Gravel, and Borrow) Activity in the Cold Lake Sub-region

7.1.1 The disposition holder must maintain proper drainage of surface water.

7.1.2 Appended access in zone A (Figure 8) must be no more than 100 metres from the edge of a long-term access route right of way. Appended access in zone B must be no more than 1000 metres from the edge of a long-term access route right of way.

7.1.3 Extraction will occur in phases and will require progressive reclamation. • A maximum of three hectares can be open for extraction at a point in time

for each disposition. • After closure of an extraction area, reclamation must begin in 12 months. • The total disturbed area for a single disposition is restricted to a maximum

of nine hectares consisting of extraction area and area being reclaimed (No reclamation certificate).

• Final reclamation requires that 100% of the entire phase be reclaimed to the pre-existing vegetation condition.

7.1.4 Surface material extraction operations (and associated infrastructure) are not permitted within 250 metres of the valley break of a named watercourse or in 250 metres of the bed and shore of a waterbody greater than four hectares.

7.1.5 Proposed developments in the recreation management areas identified in Figure 9 must be compatible with the objectives and outcomes of the management plan for the area.


Figure 8. Surface material extraction zones in the sub-region.


8.0 Peat Alberta’s existing directive, Allocation and Sustainable Management of Peat Resources on Public Land (2016), establishes two land sensitivity classes on public lands:

Sensitivity Class Constraints to Peat Operations Peat Availability

Low Sensitivity Generally Available Generally

Available

High Sensitivity

Sensitive or critical habitats where cumulative land use poses significant challenges to the viability of sustaining fish or wildlife populations

Excluded

Not Available

8.1 Requirements for Peat Extraction in the Cold Lake Sub-region

Using the criteria in table above for the Cold Lake sub-region:

8.1.1 Proposed peat application areas must fall completely in the low sensitivity area.

8.1.2 New footprint is not permitted within 250 metres of the valley break of a named watercourse, or in 250 metres of the bed and shore of a waterbody greater than four hectares.

8.1.3 Access must be compliant with the access management plan for the Cold Lake sub-region.

8.1.4 Proposed developments in the recreation management areas identified in Figure 9 must be compatible with the objectives and outcomes of the recreation management plan for the areas


Figure 9. Peat application areas in the Cold Lake sub-region.


9.0 Transmission Lines The electricity transmission network is the backbone of the electricity sector. The dependable delivery of electricity is an important economic driver in the province as it supports a number of industries, business and homes with safe and reliable power. These lines carry electricity over long distances, connecting electrical generation to where it is needed by consumers (e.g. cities, industrial development). As electricity moves through the wires, some of it dissipated as heat and historically, transmission lines (>25 kilovolts) have been kept clear of vegetation as a safety measure. However, this clearing of vegetation at the ground-level contribute to disturbance levels in the sub-region causing unwanted impacts through habitat fragmentation, while the transmission lines themselves are located at high distances above ground. This presents an opportunity, similar to below-ground pipelines, to reduce footprint on the landscape without having significant impacts to the infrastructure itself through retaining or restoring vegetation along transmission line corridors, reducing impacts to a variety of species on the landscape, while transmission lines remain active and economically viable.

Retaining vegetation underneath transmission lines during construction would be the preferred approach, but vegetation that is removed can also be re-established. Re-establishing native vegetation below transmission lines is a change to typical business practices and may present unique challenges for transmission line operators. The approach in the sub-regional plan recognizes the technical and safety challenges associated with revegetating the area beneath transmisson lines.

A minimum of access routes through the transmission line right of ways will be maintained to conduct maintenance and inspections. This will be important to ensuring vegetation heights are monitored and controlled in order to prevent arc flash, which could lead to forest fires. Mitigation strategies, such as breaking line of sight and access controls, must be employed throughout these access corridors in order to reduce residual effects from predation and human access.

9.1 Requirements for Transmission Line Activities in the Cold Lake Sub-region

9.1.1 Revegetation of transmission line right of ways to maintain a minimum level of

vegetative cover to reduce negative implications for wildlife. Vegetative cover will be indicative of pre-disturbance conditions.


a) On new lines, vegetation cover is required to be a minimum of two metres high across the right of way for forest ecosites

b) On existing lines, vegetation is required to be a minimum of two metres high across the right of way for at least 25 metres on each side of a tower located on a forest ecosite.

c) Residual linear corridors may be no more than four metres wide

9.1.2 Human access must be effectively limited on transmission line corridors using strategies as determined by the GoA and the proponent. Implementation will occur in the same timelines as restoration.

a) Revegetation programs for existing right of ways will include inventory of pre-construction site conditions, planning treatments, and implementation of revegetation treatments, where required. In recognition of the effort required, operators will have 20 years after the approval date of this sub-regional plan to re-establish vegetation on existing right of ways.

9.1.3 Restoration treatments for new transmission projects must be completed in 2 years of transmission line installation.

9.1.4 Proposed developments in the recreation management areas identified in Figure 9 must be compatible with the objectives and outcomes of the recreation management plan for the areas.

9.1.5 A right of way shall not parallel a named watercourse in 250 metres of the valley break or a water body greater than four hectares in 250 metres of the bed and shore.

10.0 Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Activities Maintaining high quality, natural areas on the landscape is important to ensure quality lands are available for tourism and outdoor recreation opportunities. This is particularly important for supporting Alberta’s 10-year Tourism Strategy, which aims to grow tourism revenue to $20 billion by 2030. Prioritizing areas that support tourism and outdoor recreation requires careful consideration and management of land uses to ensure the ecological, cultural, and historical values that attract users to these areas are not compromised by other land uses. In addition to lands designated for use under provincial parks legislation, many areas of public land support outdoor recreation activities like fishing, hunting, bird watching, hiking, random camping, and off


highway vehicle use. These areas often have high scenic value, occur in natural settings, and are associated with rivers or lakes and their surrounding riparian areas and terrestrial uplands. Tourism and outdoor recreation activities often overlap because of the diverse and desirable recreational opportunities they encompass.

Existing tourism operators on public lands have formalized dispositions enabled through the tourism and commercial recreation lease process for tourism and commercial recreation purposes. To grow tourism, provide economic benefits, and create employment in the sub-region and the province, new and expanded tourism development experiences need to be supported. Opportunities for tourism and commercial recreation development will be located in areas that align with significant tourism and outdoor recreation resource values and where the ecological values of the area can support these types of development.

To ensure high-value land continues to be available for tourism development and outdoor recreation activities, the Cold Lake recreation management areas (Figure 9) are prioritized for outdoor recreation activities, tourism development opportunities and supporting ecological values.

Recreation management plans will be created with input from stakeholders, the private sector, and Indigenous peoples who have interest in tourism development and outdoor recreation related activities and operations in the sub-region. Accordingly, the following will apply in the sub-region:

10.1 Recreation and Tourism Requirements in the Cold Lake Sub-region

10.1.1 Recreation management areas are reserved for outdoor recreation activities and tourism development opportunities (Figure 9).

10.1.2 *Not part of LARP regulatory details* A recreation management plan (excluding the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range) will be created and implemented for the Cold Lake sub-region.

a) *Not part of LARP regulatory details* An inventory of tourism and commercial recreation opportunities will be completed for the Cold Lake sub-region (excluding the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range).

10.1.3 *Not part of LARP regulatory details* A recreational trail system network to connect important tourism and recreation features, scenery and settings will be created for the Cold Lake sub-region.


a) *Not part of LARP regulatory details* The trail system network will consider motorized and non-motorized opportunities compatible with the recreational desires and ecological sensitivities of an area.

10.1.4 Infrastructure supporting outdoor recreation and tourism developments that aligns with the management intent for the area will be considered in 250 metres of the bank of a large permanent watercourse or a water body.


Figure 10. Recreation Management Areas in the Cold Lake Sub-region.


11.0 Other Anthropogenic Disturbance Renewable resource development such as wind and solar farms have not yet been approved on public lands in the sub-region. Proposals for projects types not explicitly identified in this plan (for example, yet-to-be discovered resource types, renewable energy projects, etc.) will be based on existing provincial policy direction, including the following requirements:

11.0.1 Roads associated with new projects must align with the requirements outlined under the AMP.

11.0.2 Proposed activities in caribou habitat of the Cold Lake sub-region will be subject to an evaluation of projected footprint against current disturbance forecasts for the sub-region, to make sure the activity does not conflict with caribou recovery objectives (as defined by the Recovery strategy for Boreal Woodland Caribou [2012]).

11.0.3 Proposed developments will not be permitted within 250 m of the valley break of a named watercourse or in 250 metres of the bed and shore of a waterbody greater than four hectares in size, and must be compatible with the objectives and outcomes identified for a recreation management area (Figure 9).

12.0 Natural Disturbance Natural disturbances are an ongoing influence in the sub-region. Wildfire, insect outbreaks and forest disease are the most common disturbances that alter vegetation and associated habitat. Although natural, these disturbance can have a negative impact on species and economic opportunities throughout the sub-region. Monitoring natural disturbances as they occur and as part of regular sub-regional plan reviews will be important to ensure the plan continues to achieve its outcomes.

12.1 Wildfire

The Wildfire Management Branch (Alberta Wildfire) in Agriculture and Forestry, primarily manages wildfire on Alberta public land in accordance with the five provincial priorities: human life, communities, watersheds and sensitive soils, natural resources and infrastructure that has a major impact on public safety or the local economy. Alberta Wildfire is committed to reducing the number and impact of human-caused wildfires by implementing wildfire prevention and FireSmart programs, and by rapidly detecting and effectively responding to wildfires. Alberta Wildfire has adopted a proactive risk management program based on the ISO-31000 standard, with the goal


of developing risk based wildfire management plans for each forest area, that outline mitigation strategies to reduce the probability of wildfire ignition or the potential impact to values. This planning process involves the engaging multiple stakeholder groups and Indigenous peoples in identifying the key economic, social and environmental values and objectives that are fundamental to these plans. Wildfire management plans are reviewed every five years, or if a large disturbance occurs, to incorporate policy changes or align with regional and sub-regional planning direction. Agriculture and Forestry has indicated that while aggressive fire suppression has worked for many decades, climate change effects are challenging suppression efforts, and catastrophic wildfires have become a more regular occurrence in Alberta. As part of Wildfire Management Plans, Alberta Wildfire is working to identify and mitigate where these potential events may occur by developing wildfire mitigation strategies that consider risk assessments, identifying key infrastructure and involvement of local communities and stakeholders in the development of the strategy. In recent years, policies have been adopted to allow wildfires to be managed with the intent of creating a landscape more resilient to future large fires. Further research and adoption of strategies that support landscape resilience and the protection of our critical values is underway and remains essential to the future success of wildfire management programs.

12.2 Insects and Pathogens (Not Including Pine Beetle)

Forest pest management requires systematic approaches to limiting pest damage to social and economically acceptable levels. The GoA is committed to sustaining the health of our forests, and does so through survey and monitoring, risk assessment, and implementing various management programs.

12.3 Mountain Pine Beetle

Mountain pine beetle infestations and resulting impacts to pine forests can impact hydrological function, ecosystem function, sensitive sites, and wildlife habitat, as well as sustainable forest harvest levels. Pine stands in Alberta have been assessed for susceptibility to damage from mountain pine beetle. Approximately 75% of the sub-regional unit has low or no susceptibility due to the lack of pine. About 20% of the sub-regional unit has a moderate susceptibility. The GoA will continue to prioritize use of Level 1 (single-tree removal of high-risk mountain pine beetle sites) control treatments in the sub-region where it is most effective, and approving Level 2 (block or patch harvesting of infestations) treatments as necessary.


13.0 Livestock Grazing in the Green Area Livestock grazing is an allocated resource on public lands, and is managed at a provincial level. Grazing disposition holders must demonstrate sustainable grazing that sustains environmental, economic and social benefits4. While the sub-region does not currently present significant opportunity for livestock grazing, the requirements outlined in the sub-regional plan apply to grazing dispositions in the Green Area of the sub-region.

13.1 Requirements for Grazing Dispositions in the Green Area of the Cold Lake Sub-region

13.1.1 *Not part of LARP regulatory details* Grazing dispositions may be issued for areas outside caribou ranges, subject to an assessment of livestock grazing suitability and compatibility with other land uses.

a) *Not part of LARP regulatory details* If a new grazing disposition application overlaps with a forest management agreement area, a Grazing Timber Agreement, as per the Integration of Grazing and Timber Activities Directive 2011.3 and the Grazing Timber Integration Manual5 is required. The Grazing Timber agreement will document the agreed upon management strategies used by the two proponents to integrate their resource use.

13.1.2 Agricultural developments resulting in permanent footprint or land conversion are not permitted within 250 metres of the valley break of a named watercourse or in 250 metres of the bed and shore of a waterbody greater than four hectares in size.

13.1.3 No new grazing dispositions will be allocated on lands in caribou ranges.

13.1.4 For grazing disposition applications within the recreation management area (Figure 9) livestock grazing must be compatible with the objectives and outcomes of the recreation management plan for the areas.

4 https://www.alberta.ca/assets/documents/ep-grazing-disposition-standards-fact-sheet-2019.pdf 5 https://www.alberta.ca/grazing-and-timber-integration.aspx

https://www.alberta.ca/assets/documents/ep-grazing-disposition-standards-fact-sheet-2019.pdf

https://www.alberta.ca/grazing-and-timber-integration.aspx


14.0 Restoring Legacy Seismic Lines Seismic lines in the sub-region and province are primarily used during assessments of sub-surface oil, gas, and mineral resources. Modern seismic practices and technology have reduced the residual disturbance associated with seismic operations; however, many historical legacy seismic lines (70 years and more) remain on the landscape and have yet to show significant levels of forest establishment, decades after they were first impacted. To address the impacts of seismic operations in the future, the sub-regional plan outlines requirements for geophysical exploration that will help ensure future seismic lines have low long-term impacts across the landscape. The sub-regional plan cannot achieve its outcomes of supporting new development and increasing undisturbed habitat over the landscape without addressing legacy seismic lines.

The challenge with addressing legacy seismic is not reserved to the Cold Lake sub-region. There are approximately 250,000 kilometres of legacy seismic lines in caribou ranges across Alberta. Approximately 150,000 kilometres of those legacy seismic lines, in their current state, are not fully capable of natural woody vegetation re-establishment, and therefore require some treatment(s) to encourage restoration. Restoring these lines presents an adaptive management opportunity that supports working landscapes over the long-term while maitaining ecological integrity. By minimzing landscape fragmentation by historical footprint we make space for new development to occur while limiting impacts on biodiversity. Partnerships, includng funding arrangements with industry and the Federal government are important and will require a coordinated effort. To coordinate this work, AEP will lead a provincial restoration program, with assistance from a third party restoration agency. This restoration program will direct priorities for restoration, and guide operational implementation while supporting ongoing involvement of local people and Indigenous communities.

While some legacy seismic features provide access routes for Indigenous peoples, hunters, trappers, and other commercial users of wildlife, as well as recreationists, the vast majority of these areas do not functionally contribute to access. Before initiating restoration work, the GoA will seek input from Indigenous peoples and other land users to identify areas of use and to integrate restoration and coordinate development with land-use practices or rights associated with land use in the area.


15.0 Wildlife Moose

Moose are an important resource for both Indigenous and licensed harvest. Moose also serve as primary prey for predators such as wolves. Increased moose densities may lead to increased wolf numbers, and thereby increased predation on caribou. AEP will continue to monitor moose abundance on a periodic basis to assess if moose densities are increasing as a result of AEP’s wolf population management. Where required, moose population management objectives will be realized through harvest by Indigenous and licensed hunters.

Beaver

Beavers and woodland caribou co-occur in wetland habitats in the Cold Lake sub-region. During summer, beavers serve as a significant food source for wolves, attracting the wolves to these wetland complexes. If wolves encounter a caribou while in these wetlands, they may opportunistically prey upon it. Where appropriate, AEP will work with Indigenous and non-Indigenous trappers to reduce beaver productivity and density in and adjacent to caribou ranges in the Cold Lake sub-region.

Deer

Deer (white-tailed and mule) represent a significant prey source for wolves, and like moose, increasing deer numbers may lead to increased wolf numbers and subsequently increased incidental predation on woodland caribou. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected in deer roughly 30 kilometres from the southern edge of the Cold Lake sub-region. Transmission of this disease to caribou is a significant concern for provincial caribou recovery efforts. AEP will explore options to limit and manage deer densities in the Cold Lake sub-region, focusing on options to enable and enhance Indigenous and licensed harvest to both manage deer numbers and reduce the risk of CWD transmission from deer to woodland caribou.

Predation

Wolves are the key predator of woodland caribou in the Cold Lake sub-region. Declines of caribou populations throughout Alberta are due to increased wolf predation on caribou as a result of human-caused habitat changes. To prevent the decline of caribou in the Cold Lake sub-region, AEP will continue, as determined necessary, to deliver a wolf population management program in the sub-region. AEP will continue to deliver, monitor, and evaluate wolf population management in the Cold Lake sub-region to support caribou recovery in concert with other habitat recovery goals.


AEP will continue to review and assess the wolf management program delivery at a provincial scale, while considering range-level details.

16.0 Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting As a key element of an adaptive management approach, the GoA will complete five-year stewardship reports. AEP will be accountable for reporting on items as committed to through this plan, in collaboration with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Alberta Energy, the Alberta Energy Regulator, and other relevant departments and agencies.

16.1 Performance Indicators

Tracking and reporting on indicators is a valuable source of information for land managers, Indigenous peoples, stakeholders, and the public, because it provides information by which to evaluate the effectiveness of the requirements under the plan at achieving the desired outcomes in the sub-region. Through this monitoring, land managers can understand if adjustments to the plan are needed to ensure the sub-regional outcomes are met.

For this purpose, the sub-regional plan will track and report on a combination of social, economic and environmental indicators. Indicators will be reported on at a minimum frequency of every five years.

16.1.1 Environmental Performance Indicators

Indicator Description Purpose

Disturbed/Undisturbed Habitat

Amount and trend of undisturbed habitat as defined by the Recovery Strategy for Boreal Woodland Caribou (2012)

Federal assessment of caribou recovery

Biophysical Habitat Amount, type, and trend of biophysical habitat attributes


Spatial Habitat Parameters

Spatial pattern and landscape-scale occurrence of caribou habitat




Anthropogenic (Human-caused) Footprint

The area of anthropogenic disturbance features, classified by originating activity

Contributes to evaluating landscape change over time, informs future re-openings or revisions of the sub-regional plan.

Natural Disturbances Size and location as monitored by Alberta Agriculture and Forestry


Forest Cover Age Class

Area in each seral stage by major forest cover type that will be monitored in forest management units of the sub-region.


Wetlands Amount of area directly impacted by anthropogenic footprint

Contributes to evaluating landscape change over time, and informs future re-openings or revisions of the sub-regional plan.

Restoration of Legacy Seismic Lines

Kilometres of line restored, achieved either through active restoration or by field-confirmed natural recovery

Assessment of trajectory to desired level of undisturbed habitat for the sub-region.

Caribou Population Size Estimated number of caribou.

Assessment of caribou recovery, specifically, minimum population requirements.

Caribou Population Demographic Rates and Growth (Lambda)

Estimate of trend in population size Assessment of caribou recovery

Caribou Occurrence and Movement Patterns

Identification of habitat areas under active use

Informs planning and focus of restoration efforts

Moose Population Size Estimated number of moose

Informs management strategies, such as sustainable harvest levels



Barred Owl Assessment of population metrics based on habitat availability modeling

Contributes to evaluating landscape change impact on species of interest

Song Birds Assessment of population metrics based on habitat availability modeling.

Contributes to evaluating landscape change impact on multi-species

16.1.2 Socio-Economic Monitoring and Performance Indicators

Socio-economic indicators may also be used to help managers evaluate the economic and social benefit of the plan.

The socio-economic metrics related to communities connected to the sub-region will be monitored and considered as part of the socio-economic assessment accompanying the sub-regional plan, and as part of assessments completed after scheduled reviews.


Economic Conditions Assessment of local economies (for example, employment)

Contributes to an understanding of local economic conditions

Fiscal Conditions Assessment of provincial and federal economies

Contributes to an understanding of local economies in context of provincial and federal economic conditions

Demographics State and trends in sub-regional demographics (population size and composition)

Informs future planning opportunities

Community Infrastructure

Community support structures (programs and facilities) in sub-regional (for example, health and social services/programs, housing conditions)

Informs future planning opportunities and focus



Recreation Recreational infrastructure in the sub-region (programs, trails, facilities, opportunities)

Informs future planning opportunities and focus

17.0 Plan Review The GoA is committed to achieving positive environmental, economic and social outcomes for the benefit of current and future generations of Albertans. The principles of integrated land management, ecosystem-based management, and adaptive management ensures that we can adapt management approaches in response to new information on their efficacy toward achieving the plan objectives. If the management actions outlined in the plan do not meet intended outcomes, the plan will be adjusted after engagement with stakeholders and Indigenous peoples.

The commitment to adaptive management is embedded in the plan by the following:

17.0.1 A review and update to the plan five years after its approval, and every 10 years after the first review, and

17.0.2 an annual review of the plan if the natural disturbance in the year exceeds10% of the caribou range.


18.0 Glossary

Term Definition

Access Corridor A linear corridor identified for human movement where roads or trails are planned and developed.

Adaptive Management A management approach that involves monitoring and performance evaluation followed by adjusting management actions to achieve the intended outcome. Adaptive management also allows information to be fed back into the project planning and design process so that future reclaimed project areas will meet the intended objectives. A tenet of ecological management, in which human resource users are flexible to change the way they interact with the environment, based upon need and the availability of new information.

Aggregated Harvest Harvest planning that concentrates forestry activities in space and time. This results in large, generally contiguous patches of young forest that should better imitate large natural disturbance patterns created by fire.

Anthropogenic (human caused) Footprint

The visible alteration or conversion of native ecosystems to temporary or permanent residential, recreational, agricultural, or industrial landscapes.

This definition includes all areas under human use that have lost their natural cover for extended periods of time, such as cities, roads, agricultural fields, and surface mines. It also includes land that is periodically reset to earlier successional conditions by industrial activities, such as forestry cut blocks and seismic lines.

Annual Operating Plan (AOP)

A plan prepared and submitted by a forest operator every year. An AOP approved by government provides the authorization to harvest.

Appended Development

Development that occurs immediately adjacent (in 200 m) to the centerline of a road that is recognized in a regional access management plan.

Bed and Shore Public lands which forms the definable channel of a river, stream or watercourse; or the basin of a lake of other permanent and naturally occurring body of water that is bound by a bank as defined in section 17 of the Surveys Act which may or may not be fully covered by water. The shore is the exposed bed when not fully covered by water.


Caribou Range The geographic area occupied by a group of individuals that are subject to similar factors affecting their demography and used to satisfy their life history processes (e.g. calving, rutting, wintering) over a defined time frame.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

A disease that kills members of the deer family (i.e. white-tailed deer, elk, and moose). Transmission occurs from individual to individual and in certain situations may involve environmental contamination.

Commercial Recreation Instructing/guiding/outfitting activities (e.g., commercial trail riding, dog sled tours, heli-ski tours, fishing, game hunting, off-highway vehicle tours, etc.) or developments that offer facility oriented recreational, tourism or accommodation services or programs to the general public on public land for which a consumer pays a fee and which the operator require a permit or disposition.

Community Timber Permit Program (CTPP)

The CTPP provides access to timber for a specified number of small operators at specified dues rate.

Compartments A sub-section of a given area for which operational plans are developed

Development Agreement

A development agreement, when approved by the Minister of Energy, is an arrangement to meet an outcome in a defined area over a specified period. Typically, operators agree to limit, delay, or forgo activities to reduce negative impacts, or undertake additional activities to achieve desired outcomes, in exchange for extensions to the time they have to meet obligations required to retain mineral rights.

Disposition Holder The holder of a disposition according to the records of a regulatory body. (Public Lands Administration Regulation)

Disposition Roads Roadways associated with holder of a formal disposition according to the records of a regulatory body.

Disturbance In respect of public land, means human activity that moves or removes one of more of the following features of the public land or that alters or results in the alteration of the state in which it existed before the human activity occurred, and includes any change in the intensity, frequency or nature of the human activity:

(i) vegetation;

(ii) soil;


(iii) subsoil;

(iv) bedrock;

(v) landform;

(vi) wetland;

(vii) water body or watercourse;

(viii) air flow or wind currents;

(ix) ambient sound volumes;

(x) light or shade;

Disturbed Habitat Habitat showing: i) human-caused disturbance visible on Landsat at a scale of 1:50,000, including habitat in a 500-metre buffer of the human-caused disturbance; and/or ii) fire disturbance in the last 40 years, as identified in data from each provincial jurisdiction (without buffer).

Ecosystem Based Management (EBM)

Ecosystem-based management (EBM) is an integrated, science-based approach to the management of natural resources that aims to sustain the health, resilience and diversity of ecosystems while allowing for sustainable use by humans of the goods and services they provide.

Footprint The impact or extent of a disturbance on public land and includes the intensity, frequency and nature of any uses or activities related to the disturbance.

Forest Harvest Plan or Timber Harvest Plan

Standards for operating and planning field practices that must be measureable and auditable and based on forest management plan objectives.

Forest Harvest Timing Units (Harvest Compartment)

Compartments which define the sequence in which forest harvest is accessed within a given area of a Forest Management Area.

Forest Management Agreement (FMA)

A renewable 20 year agreement between the government and a company that grants the company the rights and obligations to manage, grow, and harvest timber on a specific area in a manner designed to provide a yield consistent with sustainable forest management principles and practices.


Forest Management Unit (FMU)

An administrative land unit established under the authority of the Forests Act for which a coniferous and deciduous annual allowable cut (AAC) may be calculated and managed. (Note: not all FMU’s have AACs).

Formal Disposition A disposition issued under the Public Lands Act before or after the coming into force of the Public Lands Administration Regulation and bearing a title and number assigned by the Department for the purposes of identifying the disposition in the records of the Department, and includes numbered instruments bearing the title

(i)commercial trail riding permit,

(ii) repealed AR 57/2017 s2,

(iii) easement,

(iv) farm development lease,

(v) grazing lease,

(vi) grazing licence,

(vii) licence of occupation,

(viii) mineral surface lease,

(ix) miscellaneous lease,

(x) pipeline agreement,

(xi) pipeline installation lease,

(xii) surface material lease,

(xiii), (xiv) repealed AR 57/2017 s2,

(xv) lease for tourism and commercial recreation purposes,

or any other instrument issued in a form prescribed under section 6 of the Act;

Green Area Comprises most of northern Alberta as well as the mountain and foothills areas along the province’s western boundary and is managed for timber production, watershed, wildlife and fisheries, recreation, and other uses.

Habitat The sum of the environmental conditions in which an organism lives, or the physical and biological environment that provides essential food, water and shelter for an organism.


Habitat Restoration The practice, process or result of active human intervention and treatments to renew and restore degraded, damaged or destroyed ecosystems and habitats. Habitat restoration aims to protect and restore critical “services” that the environment provides.

Historical (Legacy) footprint

Footprint as of 2014, deemed unnecessary to support continued human activity, is not initially restored and does not have a legally responsible party to deal with the restoration work (for example, historical seismic lines that have not been returned, either naturally or through management action, to a successional pathway towards effective caribou habitat).

Holistic Approach Consideration of the whole, including many inputs, perspectives and parts of a system. Often referred to as taking a holistic approach.

Indigenous peoples “Indigenous peoples” includes “aboriginal peoples of Canada” within the meaning of Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Indigenous Knowledge For the purposes of this plan, the knowledge regarding the subject-matter of this plan that Indigenous peoples or their members share outside their community.

In situ development area

The boundaries, in the project area, approved for the specific placement of drainage patterns for the recovery of bitumen.

In situ project area The boundaries in which bitumen recovery may occur over the life of the project.

Integrated Land Management (ILM)

A strategic, planned approach to managing and reducing the human caused footprint on the land. The goals of ILM are to reduce land-use disturbance relative to what would occur in the absence of integration efforts, and to foster a stewardship ethic in all land users.

Land Conversion An actual, observable land-use change from an agricultural use to a non-agricultural use (or vice versa), such as agricultural to urban development. Conversion can be temporary (e.g., upstream oil and gas development) or permanent (e.g., urban development). Conversion may be positive or negative (i.e., a gain or loss of agricultural land, respectively).


Land Use All uses of land, such as agriculture, forestry, conservation, recreation, tourism, oil and gas, mining, utility corridors, transportation, cities and towns, industrial development, etc.

Land Use Framework In 2008, the GoA implemented Cabinet-approved provincial-scale policy to develop a new land use planning system for the province. The Land-use Framework sets out an approach to manage Crown and private lands and natural resources to achieve Alberta’s long-term economic, environmental and social goals. The framework is designed to ensure good stewardship of Alberta’s lands and resources so that future generations of Albertans benefit from the province’s natural beauty and prosperity, just as we do today. The Land-use Framework was developed through extensive consultation with Albertans and their collective feedback formed the guidance from which a provincial vision and a set of desired provincial outcomes and principles were created. (Planning System Overview).

Limit A transition point beyond which an unacceptable risk to a desired objective (or outcome) occurs. The limit is the value of an indicator which represents the point, if exceeded, that the system moves to an undesirable state and management action must be taken.

Local Population (caribou)

A group of caribou occupying a defined area distinguished spatially from areas occupied by other groups of caribou. Local population dynamics are driven primarily by local factors affecting birth and death rates, rather than immigration or emigration among groups.

Multiple Use Management of a land area to support integrated use including timber and non-timber interests such as water, grazing, industrial development, recreation and wildlife.

Natural Disturbance Term used to describe a type of disturbance to the landscape that is not human caused. These disturbances can include fire, wind, insects, floods, and landslides.

Natural Range of Variation

The spectrum of natural conditions possible in ecosystem structure, composition, and function, when considering both temporal and spatial scales.

Natural Resource(s) Occur in nature, including non-renewable resources, such as timber, fish, wildlife, soil, water, coal and minerals.

Nature-based Tourism Tourism that is undertaken largely or solely for the purpose of enjoying natural attractions and engaging in outdoor activities, whether for relaxation, discovery or adventure (e.g., camping,


birdwatching, downhill skiing, hunting, mountain biking, motorized recreation, etc.).

Non-renewable Resource(s)

Natural resources that are in fixed supply, such as coal, oil and minerals.

Objective The desired end result or goal in well-defined, measurable terms achievable in a certain timeframe. Translates the broad outcomes into more specific quantifiable statements and guide content and direction of policy.

Operating Ground Rules

Standards for operating and planning field practices that must be measureable and auditable and based on forest management plan objectives.

Outcome An event, occurrence, or condition that results from an activity or program and has an actual effect on resources, the environment or Albertans. For planning purposes, outcomes are the desired/expected endpoint or state and should guide the development and implementation of related programs. An outcome can be expressed as a business result or a resource/environmental result. A program may have multiple outcomes for different timeframes and scales.

Outdoor Recreation The experience that results from freely chosen participation in physical, social, intellectual, creative and spiritual pursuits in an outdoor nature-based setting that enhances individual and community wellbeing.

Progressive Reclamation

Interim or concurrent reclamation undertaken during, following or in connection with construction, development and ongoing operations associated with an active disposition, where there is no expectation of re-disturbance and where the final approved plant community is establishing. For well sites minor re-disturbance may be required to replace reclamation material over the operational area (tear drop) at final reclamation.

Project Area See in situ project area

Protected Area(s) Areas such as provincial parks, national parks, wilderness areas, ecological reserves and some recreation areas that have protected designations according to federal and provincial statutes. Protected areas are land and freshwater or marine areas set aside to protect diverse natural and cultural heritage.

Public Lands Land of the Crown in right of Alberta.


Reclamation Any or all of the following: (i) the removal of equipment or buildings or other structures or appurtenances; (ii) the decontamination of buildings or other structures or other appurtenances, or land or water; (iii) the stabilization, contouring, maintenance, conditioning or reconstruction of the surface of land; (iv) any other procedure, operation or requirement specified in the regulations;

Recreation Opportunity The availability for an individual to engage in a chosen recreation activity within a preferred recreation setting in order to achieve a desired experience.

Restoration The process of restoring site conditions as they were before the land disturbance

Restored Habitat Habitat that was disturbed in the past, but has since returned to a state that is no longer considered by Alberta to be disturbed.

Right of way (ROW) A cleared area facilitating linear activities, that contain an access road and its associated features such as shoulders, ditches, cut and fill slopes, or the area cleared for passage of utility corridors containing power lines or over or under-ground pipelines. Typically, the ROW is a specially designated area of land having very specific rights of usage attached.

Section 35 rights Rights recognized and affirmed in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, which pertains to aboriginal and treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada.

Self-sustaining local population

A local population of caribou that on average demonstrated stable or positive population growth over the short-term (≤20 years), and is large enough to withstand random events and persist over the long-term (≥50 years), without the need for ongoing active management intervention.

Seral Stage A stage of forest succession. A series of plant community conditions that develop during ecological succession following a major disturbance to the climax stage. Most common characteristics/classifications include tree species and age.

Spatial Harvest Sequence (SHS)

A stand level map depicting forest stands scheduled for timber harvesting that are feasible to be operated by the organization. SHSs are generally prepared for 20 years.


Stand or Stand Type A community of trees sufficiently uniform in species, age, arrangement or condition as to be distinguishable as a group in the forest.

Sub-regional Plan Sub-regional plans address location-specific issues through the integration of higher-level plans, policy and operational requirements. Plans are outcome based, provide clear operational direction and must be considered when making decisions in the planning area. Enabled through the Alberta Land Stewardship Act and ministry legislation (e.g. Public Lands Act), sub-regional plans are built through a collaborative process and include input and feedback from Indigenous peoples, stakeholders and the public.

Temporary Roads A road approved under a public lands authorization or forestry annual operating plan.

Tourism The activity of persons traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited. A tourism trip occurs when a visitors take an overnight trip, or a same-day trip of more than 40 km (one-way) outside of their home community.

Traditional Uses For the purposes of this plan, “traditional uses” has the same meaning as in the GoA’s policies on consultation with First Nations and Metis Settlements on land and natural resource management, as those policies may read at any one time.

Treaty Rights Constitutionally protected rights to hunt, trap, and fish for food. These rights may be practiced on unoccupied Crown lands or lands to which First Nations members have right of access for such purposes.

Undisturbed Habitat Habitat not showing any: i) human-caused disturbance visible on Landsat at a scale of 1:50,000, including habitat in a 500-metre buffer of the human-caused disturbance; and/or ii) fire disturbance in the last 40 years, as identified in data from each provincial and territorial jurisdiction (without a buffer).

Valley Break The interface between the upland tableland and the crest or rim of the main (oldest) slope of the board river valley.

White Area The White Area (settled portion) consists of the populated central, southern and Peace River areas of the province. In the White Area, public land is part of the agricultural landscape. It is managed for various uses including agriculture, recreation, soil and water conservation, and fish and wildlife habitat.


Working Landscape An area of land managed for multiple environmental, social and economic objectives. These objectives include environmental conservation, as well as human use for social and economic value.

Documents

DRAFT Cold Lake - Alberta · 2021. 3. 29. · March 2021 Draft Cold Lake Sub-regional Plan . Classification: Public . Table of Contents ... (GoA) is committed to maintaining jobs,