Environmental Master PlanOur Environment, Our Future

For more information visit

www.reddeer.ca/environmentalmasterplan

We are committed to keeping the community informed about our environmental progress. A State of the Environment report will monitor and respond to environmental progress, and celebrate success and key milestones along the way.

The VisionAre you a partner yet?

The development of an Environmental Master Plan (EMP) is a strong step forward by The City of Red Deer to demonstrate its leadership and commitment to improved environmental performance. With support from The City’s many existing and emerging partners, the EMP can act as a catalyst to engage, involve and support others in improving Red Deer’s environment. The EMP will be most effectively implemented as a collaborative effort. Businesses, industries, seniors, environmental groups, community associations, schools, families, professional organizations, students and all parts of the community have a role to play in helping to achieve Red Deer’s environmental goals. Are you a partner yet? Visit www.reddeer.ca/environmentalmasterplan to find out how.

Red Deer actively enhances its rich natural environment and minimizes its ecological footprint through City leadership, community collaboration and active stewardship. Red Deer is a leading example of a resilient and sustainable community in which urban and natural systems are effectively integrated to the benefit of both.

Recycle. Carpool. Conserve Water. Take Transit. Everyone can help implement the EMP.

As part of The City of Red Deer’s ongoing commitment to understanding, protecting and improving its environmental performance and public services, The City has developed an Environmental Master Plan (EMP).

The EMP presents goals, benchmarks and actions to achieve a 25-year vision for Red Deer’s environmental future. It is a living document that will grow and change with The City as its environmental profile and goals evolve in the future.

EcologyIncrease the amount of land used for green space City: Enhance the existing set-back policy to include water body and ecological protection related to Environmental Reserve setbacks under the Municipal Government Act.

Community: Explore opportunities and develop tools to preserve green space such as land conservation trust, land purchase, land swaps, tax incentives and reserve dedications.

Increase the urban tree canopy

City & Community: Prepare and implement an Urban Forest Management Plan.

TransportationPrioritize active and public transportationCity: Incorporate strategies for active transportation, increased modal split, and complete streets into the Integrated Transportation/Movement Study.

Community: Establish regional commuting resources such as transit services, carpooling, shuttle and emergency ride programs.

Increase the walkability of neighbourhoodsCity: Engage the community to participate in walkability audits in their neighbourhoods.

Community: Partner with school boards to implement a walking school bus program.

WaterAdvance Storm Water Management Strategies City: Prepare an Integrated Storm Water Management Plan.

Community: Review water and wastewater rate structures, which will draw attention to the value of water.

Encourage Water Conservation

City: Develop environmental standards for City buildings including water conservation measures.

Community: Replace water meters with Advanced Metered Infrastructure (AMI) technology.

Built EnvironmentPromote more compact development patternsCity: Develop city-wide infill guidelines and standards that emphasize minimum densities, compact form and environmental design standards.

City: Undertake studies of both residential and commercial/industrial density in Red Deer to establish informed baselines and goals for future density targets.

Community: Partner with a developer to identify an infill pilot project on City land to demonstrate environmental design standards.

Increase opportunities for local food production

Community: Work with the community and developers to create a community garden stewardship initiative.

AirCreate a strategy to reduce green house gas emissionsCity: Conduct a GHG inventory analysis, and develop a corporate GHG emissions reduction plan.

Community: Develop a Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Plan.

Reduce air pollution

City: Identify large emitters of air pollution within The City’s corporate operations. Identify strategies to mitigate the effects.

Community: Work with industries that have the most opportunity to reduce air pollution.

EnergyIncrease energy conservation of buildings

City: Replace electrical meters with Advanced Metered Infrastructure (AMI) technology.

City: Expand energy efficient street light program and work towards reducing the effects of light pollution.

Community: Explore District Energy potential in high-density neighbourhoods.

Increase and promote use of renewable energy sourcesCommunity: Partner with renewable energy providers and community stakeholders to provide information about private renewable energy options.

WasteIncrease waste diversion from the City landfillCity: Update the Waste Management Master Plan.

City: Review tipping fee structure to identify opportunities to encourage diversion.

Community: Create an education campaign, toolkits and pilot projects around household and community composting. Community: Partner with developers and builders to advance recycling and diversion of construction waste on development sites.

The Plan is organized around seven focus areas. Each area includes recommendations for priority actions that impact The City’s own operations and actions focused on the community. Below is a summary of the priority actions to get Red Deer started on improving its environmental performance.

Seven Focus Areas Why an Environmental Master Plan?