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Welcome County of Vermilion River Conservation of Agricultural Land. Open House #1 – Identification of Planning Areas. Agenda. 7:00 Welcome 7:15 Presentation 7:45 Questions 8:00 Open House 9:00 Adjourn. Project Steering Committee Reeve, Richard Van Ee Councillor, Murray King
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Welcome County of Vermilion RiverConservation of Agricultural Land Open House #1 – Identification of Planning Areas
Agenda 7:00 Welcome 7:15 Presentation 7:45 Questions 8:00 Open House 9:00 Adjourn
Project Steering Committee Reeve, Richard Van Ee Councillor, Murray King Councillor, Daryl Watt Councillor, Dave Gamracy Councillor, Miles Latimer Councillor, Don Whittaker Councillor, Brent Romanchuk Introductions
Administration Glenda Thomas, County Administrator Stantec Consulting Ltd. Bonnie McInnis Dennis O’Leary Introductions
Why a Plan to Conserve Agricultural Land? • Conservation of agricultural land identified as a priority in Municipal Development Plan (MDP) • Need agricultural land policies that: • promote long-term agricultural sustainability, • Protects sensitive landscapes including rivers lakes and wetlands, and • supports the overall economy of the County.
Why a Plan to Conserve Agricultural Land? • Ensure consistency with the Alberta Government’s Land Use Framework (LUF) and Alberta Land Stewardship Act (ALSA) • Prepare for the North Saskachewan Regional Plan (NSRP)
Why a Plan to Conserve Agricultural Land? The study will: • Identifiy Agricultural Planning Areas • Develop strategies and Best Practices for Planning within these Areas • Provide a wetland assessment for a specific property to demonstrate the process and provide a model for managing wetlands • Provide strategies for Council to use as a decision making tool
Sustainable Development “Sustainable Development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” TheBrundtland Commission, UN, 1983
Sustainable Development Components of Sustainable Development: • Environmental Integrity • Economic Prosperity • Community Livability
Principles for Agricultural Planning • Agricultural land as a valuable resource • Agriculture as a priority use • A comprehensive perspective • Provision for industry and commerce • Managing multi-lot residential development • Accommodating urban growth • The importance of water • Tools for sustainable agriculture • A shared responsibility
Identification of Planning Areas Considerations: • Topography • Watersheds • Soil capability • Existing and proposed land uses • Environmentally significant features • Historic resources • Oil and Gas development
Identification of Planning Areas Once identified • Agricultural Best Practices will be drafted for each Planning Area. • Best Practice recommendations will reflect • The Agricultural Planning Principles • Sustainable Development Principles • What makes sense for the residents and ratepayers of County of Vermilion River
Drainage Basins • Beaver River • N Saskatchewan River • Battle River • Vermilion River
Land Use • Existing CR • Existing Industrial • Existing ILO’s • Proposed per IDPs • Community Buffer’s
Draft Planning Areas • Rivers • Grazing • High Capability • Mixed Capability A • Mixed Capability B • Environmentally Significant
We need your feedback • Are the Planning Areas logical or should they be revised? • What else should be considered, what has been missed or overlooked? • What are the key issues to consider regarding conservation of agricultural land? • Trends • Issues • Opportunities • Problems
Next Steps • Revise Planning Areas per public feedback • Draft agricultural policies for each Planning Area • Open Houses – feedback/comments on the Agricultural policies (April 2010) • Revisions to policies per public feedback • Agricultural Policy recommendations presented to County Council (June 2010)
Thank You Project information and updates are available at: www.vermilion-river.com