envconf2005

Integrated Landscape Management  An Overview: 

Integrated Landscape Management An Overview Bob Demulder, ILM Program Manager, Alberta Chamber of Resources Alberta Environment Conference April 20, 2005

Intro ACR & ILM Program: 

Intro ACR & ILM Program ACR - Resource industry organization focused on strategic cross sectoral issues Land management (ILM), Aboriginal relations / issues, Watershed management, Workforce development, Climate Change. ILM Program, 2001 – Cumulative Effects – Green Area (Public Lands) Business, Policy & Science components ACR, U of A ILM Industrial Research Chair Dr. Stan Boutin - Science ACR ILM Program Manager Bob Demulder – Business & Policy

The Green Area: 

The Green Area 51% of province and finite Forests, wildlife & water priorities No true land manager – SRD primary agency but energy, environment, EUB agriculture and others allocate and regulate. Multiple use principles Minimal planning Industry and public use growth mandates! Increasingly Busy Place!

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Multiple Land Use Policy & Resource Allocation Agriculture: Grazing Leases. Licenses, permits Water: Surface Water License Fur: Traplines (RFMAs) Cabins Trees: FMA’s & Timber Quotas Peat Moss: Surface Material License Infrastructure: Roads, power lines, pipelines Recreation: Parks, trails, OHV’s, hunting, lodges Municipalities: Communities Gravel: Surface Material License Gas: Lease, license Oil: Lease, license Coal & CBM: Lease Bitumen: Lease Minerals: precious metals, diamonds Ground Water: License Peat Moss Gravel Fur Trees Surface & Ground Water Natural Gas Conventional & Heavy Oil Oil Sands/Bitumen Coal Minerals Cattle Surface Subsurface seismic

Disturbing Signals – Habitat Challenges: 

Disturbing Signals – Habitat Challenges

The System Challenge & Cumulative Effects : 

The System Challenge & Cumulative Effects Uncoordinated incremental development (industrial & societal) & multiple use policies Ecological – threats to other values that require management or protection Increased number of endangered species (caribou, grizzly etc.) Increased risk to biodiversity, environmental integrity, water, etc. Social – erosion of public confidence Reduced confidence in government and regulatory systems Increased ENGO advocacy (i.e.- Boreal Campaign, provinces reputation in international markets) Erosion social license to operate Economic – resource access, increased business costs Increase in the regulatory burden to deal with social and ecological issues More conditions, restrictions, delays or longer approvals, or potential for loss of investment after the allocation has been made

ILM Program Strategy Phase I – “Mechanics”: 

ILM Program Strategy Phase I – “Mechanics” “Raise the Profile of ILM” focus on “Low Hanging Fruit” Build cross sectoral relationships (energy & forestry – largest users) Remove traditional barriers to cooperate Identify & promote business solutions that save time & money by: Reduce Size – e.g., Narrow Seismic Programs etc. Reduce Duration – e.g., Reclamation to trees etc. Reduce Intensity – e.g., Coordinated Access etc. Improve Stewardship – e.g., Stream crossings association etc.

Do ILM Mechanics Work ? : 

4 years of operational ILM at Al-Pac Area impact reduction (coordinated access, integrated harvest, reclamation, narrow seismic) 10,000 ha (1 yr harvest area or 25% improvement) $ saved (joint road, TDA rebates, information sharing etc.) Energy - $40 million Forestry - $15 million (plus fibre) 1/3 of Al-Pac’s harvest volume (or 800,000 m3 /yr. – or 3500 ha) for the next 3 years is planned through integrated harvest plans Better stewardship for all sectors ILM Profile raised! Do ILM Mechanics Work ?

However: 

However The Science shows that the “Triple E” Approach to land use is running into limitations Everything Everywhere Every time Science clearly shows that “ILM Best Practices or Mechanics” can only be part of a solution Trade-offs are inevitable The Land Management System is the challenge

Convergence : 

Convergence The science and business components of ILM are both pointing to the need to improve the current short comings of the current land governance systems as . Through the ILM Program and other related initiatives the land governance challenge or the need for “A New Land Strategy for Alberta” is also on the governments radar screen Federal interest Alberta Throne speech Department business plans Various Reports

So where and when do we starton this better system or strategy?: 

So where and when do we start on this better system or strategy? I would suggest we have already started!

Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Program: 

Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Program The variety of life in all its forms An indicator of how well our land and water systems are functioning – (Ecosystem health) Conserving biodiversity is the most practical way to ensure that ecosystems function effectively An increasingly important consideration for resource management policy and practice Supports international commitments, land management & business needs World leading, credible, efficient data collection system Operational May 2007 www.abmp.arc.ab.ca

Foothills Stream Crossing Association: 

Foothills Stream Crossing Association Before After

Foothills Stream Crossing Association: 

Foothills Stream Crossing Association Existing crossings, Watershed level, cross sectoral & gov. Standardized assessment protocols Water flow / passage Deleterious Substances Fish passage Safety (public / employee) Economies of scale Assessments and maintenance Better stewardship of an issue based on risk, something not very well managed in the past Consistent with the Water Strategy Pilot for a the rest of the province.

So how might this all fit together to make a better land management systems?: 

So how might this all fit together to make a better land management systems?

Possible Components of a Better System: 

Possible Components of a Better System Vision Desired outcomes Objectives provincial, regional Land Information Standardized, biophysical, dispositions Real time, spatial, internal or externally managed Land Planning * Primary use concepts, zoning Economic, social, environmental advocates Tools – NES / SES Pilots Allocations Decisions Spatial, temporal allocation, New Tenures? Trade offs, thresholds, cumulative effects City Council Model? Value decisions Operational Plans Industrial , public use, access ILM mechanics Enforcement of Plans Regulations, Incentives, Staff, FSCA Measure (filters & scale) Environment – ABMP Social – Quality of Life? Economic – GDP? Adjust Science & Research Yellow – being worked on

Systems Based: 

Systems Based The critical point is that this is a systems based process / concept. Sections or components can be developed separately – But it is critical that they know and clearly understand how they relate to one another. Consistent with Sustainable Resource & Environmental Framework presentation

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Let’s take a closer look at one of the components of this theoretical system.

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Dominate Land Use Zoning Water, Recreation, Protection Residence, Commerce Energy, Oilsands Caribou, protection

Consider This…: 

Consider This… We’ve tackled Air and Water - Is it any wonder why we’ve left land to last - let alone try to bring them all together?

So what’s in the future for the ILM Program?: 

So what’s in the future for the ILM Program?

ILM Future – Business / Mechanics: 

ILM Future – Business / Mechanics Result in efficiencies (money, time and better land stewardship) and are still part of the solution Build cross sectoral business understanding (energy / forestry business 101) Build cross sector business relations (stump & pump) Address and remove traditional barriers between sectors Encourage policy that promotes cooperation and maintains business advantages

ILM Future - The System Challenge: 

ILM Future - The System Challenge Get involved with the “Land Use Strategy” discussions that will (are) taking place. Scoping a better system (CWF) what might be a better system, what are the components, how do they fit together to support the system what is doable politically, practically and financially who does it and when manage expectations! There is and will be lots to work on – thus the ILM program will likely focus on a few areas where we can add value e.g., Land Information system

Take Home Messages: 

Take Home Messages “The Land Supports Us All” – to coin a phrase from the Agriculture sector. The resource sectors that use land are the backbone of the economy and provide for our quality of life. If we don’t look at land management systems and the cumulative effects challenge proactively it will likely be forced (e.g., caribou and SARA legal challenge) ILM promotes better practices, mechanisms and systems thinking regarding land use / management. Everyone has a role The “better system” will likely never be perfect, but that shouldn’t stop us from trying to improve it. It’s a complex and long term challenge.

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Thank You Questions & discussion Bob Demulder ILM program Manager (403) 233-3050 Bob.Demulder@ConocoPhillips,com