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Update from Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Calgary Regional Airshed Zone Annual General Meeting 26 March 2014. Overview. IRMS Intent and Approach Current Priorities and Status Regional Planning Regulatory Enhancement Environmental Monitoring
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Update from Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Calgary Regional Airshed ZoneAnnual General Meeting26 March 2014
Overview • IRMS • Intent and Approach • Current Priorities and Status • Regional Planning • Regulatory Enhancement • Environmental Monitoring • Clarifying and Strengthening Relationships • Working with others in IRMS • Implementation of key initiatives • AQMS • Air Quality Management Frameworks
Integrated Resource Management • 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: • Knowledge based • Outcomes driven • Future focused • Comprehensive implementation • Place based flexibility • Collaboration • 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 THEN • Project-by-project regulation and allocation • Management of incremental effects • Focus on preventing adverse impact NOW • 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
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
Priorities: Regional Planning(Clear outcomes that provide common goals) • LARP effective Sept 2012 • SSRP – targeting fall 2014 to come into effect • Public review of the draft plan ended on February 28. • Includes air management framework with triggers and limits for NO2 PM2.5 and O3. • 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) • Mandate: Provide for the efficient, safe, orderly and environmentally responsible development of Alberta’s energy resources • Relevant functions under Public Lands Act and Mines and Mineral Act transferred (Nov/13) • Relevant functions under EPEA and Water Act to be transferred (Mar/14) • Policy Management Office established (Fall/12) • Integration processes/supports and other enabling mechanisms under development
Priorities: Environmental Monitoring(Robust performance measurement) • Redesigning provincial ambient monitoring • Centrally coordinated by arms-length organization • Integrated amongst media – air, land, water, biodiversity • Science based, open and transparent • Canada-Alberta Joint Oil Sands Monitoring Program (implementation underway) • Alberta Environmental Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Agency • Protecting Alberta’s Environment Act (Dec/13) • Chair and Vice-Chair recruited; recruitment for Board of Directors complete • AEMERA officially kicked off May 22, 2014 • Recruitment of permanent staff Fall 2014 • 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 Alberta • Respecting First Nations’ Treaty rights and traditional land uses • Accessing the unique perspective of First Nations based on close connection to land and ecosystems • Collaborating with communities to conduct studies, collect data, identify traditional areas, and monitor environmental changes • Aboriginal Consultation Office established (Nov/13)
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
Priorities: Clarifying Roles & Responsibilities (Strengthening relationships) Multi-Stakeholder Organization Review
Environmental Management Frameworks – Regional Approach to Cumulative Effects • Environmental Indicators are chosen • Thresholds (Triggers, limits, targets) are set Indicators, Thresholds Monitoring and Modeling • Monitor and assess actual conditions relative to triggers and limits Management Response and Reporting • Action taken at triggers and limits • Results reported
Air Quality Management Framework: Management Response • Verification “What does the data/science say?” • Preliminary Assessment • Investigation “What does it mean?” • Mitigative Management Actions “What are we going to do about it?” • Oversight/Delivery • Assess Implementation Effectiveness “Were we successful?” • Communication
AQMF Implementation – GOA Roles and Responsibilities Collaboration and engagement of stakeholders and aboriginal people remain key to the overall management intent
Thank You!Lisa Sadownik, ESRDlisa.sadownik@gov.ab.ca (780) 427-9563