Legislation and Policy

Influencing government policies and legislation is one method that CPAWS Southern Alberta uses to achieve conservation gains on the ground. The following are some of the areas in which we are currently working for the implementation of environmentally responsible policies to help conserve southern Alberta wilderness and ecosystems. Click on the links for more detailed information about CPAWS' involvement.

1. Alberta's Land-use Framework (LUF)
   
   Alberta’s land-use framework and it’s supporting legislation, the Alberta Land and Stewardship Act (ALSA) is a new approach for managing private and public lands in Alberta to achieve long-term economic, environmental and social outcomes. LUF sets out guiding principles and identifies key strategies which will guide future land-use management in Alberta.
   
   
2. The South Saskatchewan Regional Plan (SSRP)
   
   The Alberta government's Land-use Framework (LUF) identifies the South Saskatchewan Region (the southern third of Alberta), as a priority area requiring immediate action. The Land-use Secretariat (a branch of government created to guide the creation and implementation of all strategies contained in the LUF) will oversee the development of a regional plan for the South Saskatchewan Region, with input from an appointed Regional Advisory Council (RAC).
   
   
3. Planning Connections: A CPAWS report to the South Saskatchewan Regional Advisory Council
   
   Planning Connections provides the Regional Advisory Council (RAC) with CPAWS' recommendations regarding conservation priorities and management actions for the South Saskatchewan Region.
   
   
4. Water For Life - A Renewal
   
   Alberta’s Water for Life strategy outlines the Government’s commitment to manage and safeguard our water resources. The strategy has been the vehicle for managing Alberta’s water resources since its release in 2003. The renewed version of the strategy was completed in 2008 to better reflect Alberta’s growing population and increase in economic growth over the past few years.
   

For further background information relating to policy and legislation, here are some other links:

• The Law of Parks and Protected Areas
  by David W. Poulton, former Executive Director, CPAWS Calgary/Banff Chapter
• A Short Guide to Protected Areas Designation in Alberta
  by Shaun Fluker, former CPAWS Board Member, and David W. Poulton, former Executive Director, CPAWS Calgary/Banff Chapter
• Government Structure for Parks and the Environment
  by David W. Poulton, former Executive Director, CPAWS Calgary/Banff Chapter