Update from Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource

Development

Calgary Regional Airshed ZoneAnnual General Meeting

26 March 2014

Overview

• IRMS– Intent and Approach– Current Priorities and Status

o Regional Planningo Regulatory Enhancemento Environmental Monitoringo Clarifying and Strengthening Relationships

• Working with others in IRMS• Implementation of key initiatives

– AQMS– Air Quality Management Frameworks

IRMS – Intent and ApproachIRMS – Intent and Approach

• The IRM System is the means by which Alberta will achieve responsible resource stewardship.

• The System is broadly defined, incorporating the management, conservation and wise use of all resources.

• It is founded upon principles of cumulative effects management:o Knowledge basedo Outcomes driveno Future focusedo Comprehensive implementationo Place based flexibilityo Collaborationo Adaptation and Continuous Improvement

Integrated Resource Management

Why pursue an IRMS? Continued economic and

population growth Need to manage cumulative

effects Heightened need for integration

and resource optimization Growing expectations of public

and stakeholders

Integrated Resource Management

Project-by-project regulation and allocation Management of incremental effects Focus on preventing adverse impact

Regulation and allocation considers overall capacity of air shed, watershed, land base Focus on achieving desired outcomes based on public input Establishment of limits for total impacts on water, air, land, wildlife

THENTHENTHENTHEN

NOWNOWNOWNOW

Fully Functional IRMS Integrated and aligned natural resource and

environmental policies Clear social, economic and environmental

outcomes that provide common goals Effective and efficient policy assurance program Robust performance measurement program Strong relationships with partners and stakeholders Continuous improvement of the System Systematic and timely adaptation

Current Status & PrioritiesCurrent Status & Priorities

Priorities: Regional Planning(Clear outcomes that provide common goals)

• LARP effective Sept 2012

• SSRP – targeting fall 2014 to come into effecto Public review of the draft plan ended on

February 28.o Includes air management framework with

triggers and limits for NO2 PM2.5 and O3.

o NSRP – first phase of consultation announced

Priorities: Regulatory Enhancement(Effective and efficient policy assurance)

• Responsible Energy Development Act (Dec/12)

• Alberta Energy Regulator established (June/13)o Mandate: Provide for the efficient, safe, orderly and

environmentally responsible development of Alberta’s energy resources

o Relevant functions under Public Lands Act and Mines and Mineral Act transferred (Nov/13)

o Relevant functions under EPEA and Water Act to be transferred (Mar/14)

• Policy Management Office established (Fall/12)o Integration processes/supports and other enabling

mechanisms under development

Priorities: Environmental Monitoring(Robust performance measurement)

• Redesigning provincial ambient monitoringo Centrally coordinated by arms-length organizationo Integrated amongst media – air, land, water, biodiversityo Science based, open and transparent

• Canada-Alberta Joint Oil Sands Monitoring Program (implementation underway)

• Alberta Environmental Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Agencyo Protecting Alberta’s Environment Act (Dec/13)o Chair and Vice-Chair recruited; recruitment for Board of

Directors completeo AEMERA officially kicked off May 22, 2014o Recruitment of permanent staff Fall 2014o 2014/15 to constitute transition year

Priorities: Aboriginal Consultation(Strengthening relationships)

• Optimizing the use of partnerships and expertise within the stakeholder community

• IRMS offers opportunity to participate in the system at earlier, more strategic stages

• GoA is committed to consulting and engaging First Nations and Aboriginal peoples across Albertao Respecting First Nations’ Treaty rights and traditional land useso Accessing the unique perspective of First Nations based on

close connection to land and ecosystemso Collaborating with communities to conduct studies, collect data,

identify traditional areas, and monitor environmental changeso Aboriginal Consultation Office established (Nov/13)

Working with Others in IRMSWorking with Others in IRMS

Priorities: Clarifying Roles & Responsibilities (Strengthening relationships)

IRMS Acknowledges the Need for…

Strong relationships with partners and stakeholders: •Government will build and maintain strong relationships with key partners and stakeholders to enable the successful implementation of the IRMS. This will include early and meaningful engagement of partners and stakeholders (including Albertans).

Multi-stakeholder Organization Review

• This project is about starting to describe what it means to build strong relationships and engage with others in integrated resource management, and how we can enable this in a deliberate way that respects the Government’s commitment to be as effective, efficient and relevant as possible in all of the work we do.

• Drivers:• Integrated Resource Management• Results Based Budgeting• CEMA Review

Multi-Stakeholder Organization Review

Priorities: Clarifying Roles & Responsibilities (Strengthening relationships)

AQMS and Air Management FrameworksAQMS and Air Management Frameworks

Policy Context: Alberta’s Renewed Clean Air Strategy

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Policy Context: National Air Quality Management System

Draft South Saskatchewan Regional Plan

21

Indicators, Thresholds

Monitoring and

Modeling

Management Response and

Reporting

Environmental Indicators are chosen

Thresholds (Triggers, limits, targets) are set

Monitor and assess actual conditions relative to triggers and limits

Action taken at triggers and limits

Results reported

Environmental Management Frameworks – Regional Approach

to Cumulative Effects

Air Quality Management Framework: Management Response

Verification

Preliminary Assessment

Investigation

Mitigative Management Actions

Oversight/Delivery

Assess Implementation Effectiveness

Communication

“What does the data/science say?”

“What does it mean?”

“What are we going to do about it?”

“Were we successful?”

AQMF Implementation – GOA Roles and Responsibilities

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Collaboration and engagement of stakeholders and aboriginal people remain key to the overall management intent

Thank You!Thank You!

Lisa Sadownik, ESRDLisa Sadownik, ESRDlisa.sadownik@gov.ab.calisa.sadownik@gov.ab.ca

(780) 427-9563 (780) 427-9563