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Farmers' voice critical in Alberta's Land-use Framework consultations

Agricultural producers across Alberta are encouraged to make their voice heard in regional plan consultations for the province's new Land-use Framework, says the Agri-Environmental Partnership of Alberta (AEPA).

The implications of the Land-use Framework for agricultural producers are significant, says the AEPA. Approximately 52 million of the 158 million acres in Alberta is classified as farm land, and farmers are among the province's largest land owners and land managers.

"Every farmer and farm land owner in Alberta has a major stake in the success of the framework, and the regional plans are where the rubber hits the road," says producer Jurgen Preugschas, industry co-chair of AEPA. "It's critical their voice is heard in the regional plan consultations, to ensure the framework is implemented in a way that is practical, effective and works for all components of the agricultural industry."

Alberta's Land-use Framework is designed as a comprehensive approach to land-use planning in the province, aimed toward better managing public and private lands and natural resources. A key driver of its development is Alberta's burgeoning population and the heightened pressure to balance the needs of many different types of land use, such as oil and gas, forestry and mining, agriculture and recreation, housing and infrastructure.

One of the first strategies of the framework is to develop seven regional land-use plans based on seven new land-use regions. Consultations for the first of these regional plans are already underway, with an aim to allow input from all stakeholders before the plans are finalized and implemented.

The need for the many components of agriculture to have a strong voice channeled directly to government and other stakeholders on this type of issue is exactly the reason AEPA was established in the first place, says Preugschas. The organization represents a diverse cross-section of the industry with a range of political views, and is designed to encourage dialogue toward the development of consensus-based approaches to agri-environmental issues and priorities.

The 14 members of the AEPA Board of Directors provide direct communication links to 24 agricultural organizations, as well as federal, provincial and municipal government agencies, and a public stakeholder. The Board is jointly chaired by a representative of Alberta's agricultural industry and a representative of the Alberta Government.

"We know in agriculture our role as land owners and land managers is becoming increasingly important on a number of environmental and public policy fronts," says Preugschas. "The AEPA grew out of a need identified by many agricultural organizations for a transparent partnership between government and the agricultural industry, and for a collaborative approach to resolving agri-environmental issues. This type of direct partnership and consensus building approach has never been more important with the issues and pressures we face today."

While AEPA has a critical directional role, it's equally important for individual producers to be informed, engaged and involved in the consultations for the specific regional plan in their area, says Preugschas. "The more that farmers are directly involved, the better. Producers can attend the consultations in their region. They can also learn more about the framework and express their views by contacting the AEPA directly or directing information to AEPA through their organizations."

Regional plan consultations have concluded for the Lower Athabasca region and are tentatively planned for the South Saskatchewan region in early 2011. The North Saskatchewan, Upper Athabasca, Red Deer, Upper Peace and Lower Peace are the five remaining land-use regions.

More information on AEPA and the regional plan consultations, including a full list of AEPA industry board representatives and their contact information, is available on the AEPA website, located at www.agpartners.ca. The website also include a longer feature article on the Land-use Framework, with perspective from Preugschas and AEPA, titled, "Alberta's Land-use Framework a key development for agriculture."

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