Albertans are being asked to comment on two draft land-use plans that would guide forestry, energy development, recreation, conservation and other activities across large areas of northern Alberta.

The provincial government opened public consultations July 24 on the draft Caribou Mountains and Red Earth sub-regional plans. Feedback will be accepted until Oct. 26 through online surveys, virtual information sessions and meetings with Indigenous communities, municipalities, industries and other organizations.

Sub-regional plans provide more detailed direction for managing Crown land, including where roads and industrial development may occur, restoration of older disturbances such as seismic lines, recreation and tourism, protection of headwaters and support for Indigenous traditional land uses.

“Alberta’s land-use plans should reflect the priorities and values of Albertans,” Environment and Protected Areas Minister Grant Hunter said in a statement.

“That’s why we are seeking public input to help shape sub-regional plans that support economic development, conservation and long-term prosperity.”

The draft plans address activities including road construction, forestry, oil and gas development, recreation and other industrial uses.

The Caribou Mountains sub-region covers about 36,700 square kilometres north of High Level and Fort Vermilion. It extends from the Northwest Territories border south to the Peace River and includes the Caribou Mountains and Yates woodland caribou ranges.

The region includes permafrost, peatlands and small forest ecosystems. It overlaps Treaty 6, Treaty 8 and Treaty 10 and includes eight First Nations reserves and one Métis settlement.

Under the draft plan, the province proposes policies covering forestry, energy and mineral activity, access management, recreation, tourism and restoration of disturbed land.

Virtual information sessions for the Caribou Mountains plan are scheduled for Aug. 26 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and Sept. 22 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The Red Earth sub-region covers more than 61,300 square kilometres south of Peace River and extends to the Peavine Métis Settlement. It includes boreal forest, wetlands, river systems and agricultural land.

The area crosses portions of the Lower Athabasca, Lower Peace, Upper Athabasca and Upper Peace planning regions. The province is also proposing amendments to the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan to give the Red Earth plan and its regulatory provisions legal effect under the Alberta Land Stewardship Act.

Virtual information sessions on the Red Earth plan are scheduled for Aug. 27 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and Sept. 23 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The province said it will work directly with Indigenous communities and organizations to consider Treaty rights and traditional land uses. It will also consult local governments, forestry and energy companies, trappers, recreational users and environmental organizations.

Caribou conservation is one consideration in Alberta’s sub-regional planning process. The province established caribou sub-regional task forces in 2019, bringing together representatives from Indigenous communities, municipalities, industry, environmental organizations and other groups to provide recommendations on land-use planning and caribou recovery.

Once finalized, the Caribou Mountains plan is expected to be approved as a standalone plan under the Alberta Land Stewardship Act. The Red Earth plan would be implemented partly through amendments to the existing Lower Athabasca Regional Plan.

The government has said it intends to complete plans for as many as 14 sub-regions across Alberta.

The Upper Smoky Sub-regional Plan took effect Jan. 1. Public feedback on the South Athabasca plan is under review after consultation closed April 9, while preliminary engagement on the Ghost-Kananaskis plan closed June 5.

Online surveys and copies of both draft plans are available through the Alberta government’s sub-regional planning engagement website.