In a response to landowners, user groups and resource developers to update the management tools for public land, the Government of Alberta has announced it has assembled a new set of rules which improve management and encourage stewardship.
The new Public Lands Administration Regulation (PLAR) includes new rules to deal with those who abuse the land, provides a new appeals process, and allows companies to be more effective by streamlining application processes.
“These regulations will make things much, much more efficient,” said Minister of Sustainable Resource Development Mel Knight during a press conference.
“It gives us an opportunity as government to do a better job of managing and conserving public land and ensuring it is there for future generations to enjoy.”
The regulation streamlines industry applications from 27 processes down to three, and by reducing some of the administrative work at the front end, Knight said staff will be able to focus more on the sustainable use of public land.
For example, under the new process, a stop-work order could be issued to prevent loss or damage to the land, or restrictions could be set to protect fish and wildlife, Knight said.
“At the same time, it maintains the ‘teeth’ in the regulation that we need to be sure that we’re protecting public land,” said Knight.
The regulation also consolidates four regulations – the Disposition and Fees regulation, Unauthorized use of Public Land and Recovery of Penalty regulation, Forest Recreation regulation, and Castle Special Management Area regulation) to create a more efficient regulatory system.