Cumulative Effects Management: Why We All Need to be Involved

Heather Sinton Regional Science and Planning Manager Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development

Overview

• This presentation will cover: – Why we need a Cumulative Effects Management System (CEMS) – CEMS and the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan – Water and air management frameworks to support a CEMS approach – What you can do to help

The Cumulative Effects Management System considers the sum of all human activities and natural environmental quality Natural Environment = Land + Air + Water + Biodiversity

Cumulative Effects is about place and how we interact with this place – Southern Alberta – where we live.

We recognize that we cannot continue to manage the landscape in the same way we did in the past.

We all care about the sustainability of these places and want plentiful clean water, clean air, and productive lands. We want to protect the plants and animals that are integral to the function of these landscapes.

We want to have clean water and clean air for generations to come, and a CEMS approach will help us achieve that.

CEMS and the Land-use Framework

• Seven Strategies under the LUF – Develop seven regional land use plans – Create a Land-use Secretariat and Regional Advisory Council for each region –

Cumulative effects management to manage impact of development on land, water and air

– Develop a strategy for conservation and stewardship on private and public lands – Promote efficient use of land – Establish an information, monitoring & knowledge system – Inclusion of aboriginal peoples in land-use planning

Why CEMS and Why Now?

Managing Growth

We need a plan to manage growth pressures

Cumulative Effects System Fundamentals

 Outcomes based: clearly defined end states  Place based: at different scales  Performance management based: adaptive  Collaborative: shared stewardship  Comprehensive implementation: regulatory and non-regulatory

Social Indicators Cost/benefit

Socio-Economic

GHG SO X - NO X emissions

AIR

Air Quality

LAND

Land Use Change Terrestrial & Biodiversity indicators

Biodiversity Aquatic habitat indicators

Acid deposition

CEMS

Clima te

• Complex • Multi media • Interactive

Surface water quality Surface water quantity

WATER

Groundwater (quantity and quality)

Integrating Management Across Sectors

Environmental Management System

Cumulative Effects Management System STRATEGIC DIRECTION

• Legislation • GoA and Ministry business plans • Integrated Provincial Level Strategic Policies (e.g. Water For Life, Climate Change Strategy, Provincial Energy Strategy, Oil Sands Strategic Plan, etc.)

EVALUATE & REPORT PERFORMANCE

• Environmental indicators and their implications • Effectiveness of strategies and their delivery

Performance Management DEVELOP & REFINE OUTCOMES & STRATEGIES

• Regional Planning, including Regional Strategic Assessment • Operational Policy • Management Frameworks

DELIVER OUTCOMES

• Authorizations, Compliance Assurance, Monitoring, Data Management, Emergency Services, Programs, Decisions, Partnerships

Our Collective Goal: A Sustainable Future

Levels of Planning

Provincial Policy & Legislation Provincial Regional Sub-Regional & Operational Regional Strategies Municipal Plans Sub-regional Plans Major Project Reviews Operational Decisions

Role of Partnerships

• AESRD works with partners in the region to develop and achieve outcomes for air, land and water • These partners are assisted by GOA to develop management plans and are involved in creating management frameworks • Partners can help to educate the public about environmental stewardship

Management Frameworks

These include: • Outcomes and objectives • Performance Management System – Limits and trigger levels – Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting • Management Strategies and Actions

Environmental Management Frameworks:

Air

e.g., Pm/Ozone

Are we there yet?

• “We’ve only just begun” • Cumulative effects management will need to consider the effects of development on all media in a place • We all need to work together to build and implement the system

What can YOU do?

• Get involved in a partnership like CRAZ that is developing air quality management plans in response to air quality concerns • Take personal responsibility for being a good steward of the environment • Educate and influence the people around you