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AB4WD was invited by the Alberta government to participate in the Integrated Land
Management program for Alberta. This is a major initiative to address land issues
from industrial use, reclamation, and access for recreational use. More information
about ILM can be found at: http://www.srd.gov.ab.ca/land/u_ilm.html.
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AB4WD is very pleased to be involved in a major directional policy development at
this level. This is a commitment of ½ day per week in Edmonton. Our representative
in the ILM Incentives working group can be contacted at
ILMRep@AB4WD.com.
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The ILM Project Charter identified the need for: "A set of integrated land management
process principles within which all operational integrated land management initiatives,
with a focus on managing and reducing the footprint, are developed regardless of
scale. The principles would be interim, building on land management principles currently
in use, until such time as further guidance may be obtained from the provincial
Land Use Framework as it becomes defined."
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Under a fully and ideally functioning Integrated Land Management Program, the following
will be realized:
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The rate of human-caused disturbance on the land is reduced in relation to the disturbance
that would have occurred without an ILM process.
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There are clearly defined processes that facilitate integration of various land
activities.
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A stewardship ethic is demonstrated by all land users (individuals, groups, companies,
and sectors).
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Improved resource use efficiency is realized.
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Principles
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Measures
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Incentives
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Stewardship
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Protocols
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Governance
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Integrated Land Management will be:
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...comprehensive and balanced in its consideration of the issues/benefits/risks
relevant to the scale being considered. The range of First Nations, social, environmental,
economic, historic and potential future interests, values, implications and trade-offs,
in the short and long term will be considered in decision-making.
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...supported by a stewardship ethic. Users of provincial Crown land and associated
natural resources will be responsible and accountable for their decisions and actions
with regard to the maintenance of values associated with land and resources.
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...knowledge and science-based in its approach. Use of the best available
information will lead to an understanding of the potential consequences of choices,
and will provide the foundation for informed and prudent decisions.
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...sensitive to cumulative environmental effects. Planning will take into
account the individual and cumulative impacts and benefits of natural and anthropogenic
activities and events that affect the environment.
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...sensitive to cumulative socio-economic effects. Planning will take into
account the individual and cumulative benefits and impacts on social values and
economic factors.
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...proactive and responsive, providing for continuous improvement and the
incorporation of new information and innovation, while at the same time, identifying
information gaps and other needs, and seeking to fill them.
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...linked and integrated with key guiding policies and plans.
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...timely and outcome-oriented, such that decision-making processes are efficient
and strive for consensus.
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...clearly communicated. ILM roles and responsibilities, related processes
and outcomes will be well-defined and understandable, and be clearly communicated
to all stakeholders and the public on a timely basis.
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...collaborative and inclusive, seeking out and supporting engagement and
partnerships among participants.
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...respectful, and consider the diverse values, interests, knowledge and
motivation of ILM participants.
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Governance is defined as a decision-making system that establishes and/or manages
a set of processes, protocols, guidelines and/or standards that guide activities
and their integration on provincial Crown land, to achieve the objectives and outcomes
identified for ILM. Governance establishes how decisions are made, and defines the
roles, responsibilities and accountabilities at all levels of involvement.
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The proposed ILM Governance model attributes are as follows:
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reflect and enable the ILM Principles.
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identify the degree of authority held by governing body.
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be multi-stakeholder and inclusive.
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be cross-ministry, with effective representation at the table as partners.
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have core funding and resources.
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identify a formal decision-making process, based on a consensus approach.
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identify and include a secretariat, with the secretariat acting as a knowledge broker,
facilitator, administrator, and dedicated technical support provider.
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be responsive/adaptive, with efficient means of making decisions.
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be based on a shared vision and shared outcomes.
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clearly identify the roles, responsibilities and accountabilities of those involved.
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transparent.
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The governance model for the ILM Program could include the following elements:
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dispute resolution process
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identification, refinement, and implementation of regulatory and non-regulatory
incentives
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stewardship and capacity building mechanisms
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communications
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performance measures
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other tools, mechanisms, plans, guidelines
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The following recommendations are aimed at industrial and recreational organizations
and associations, educational institutions, and the government. It is anticipated
that these sectors would work collaboratively where appropriate in the development
and implementation of action plans for these recommendations.
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Outcome: A stewardship ethic is engrained and demonstrated.
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1.1
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The government should lead and implement change. This means that the government
should:
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a.
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create the vision, goals and objectives that speak to and account for responsibilities
for managing the footprint on provincial Crown land,
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b.
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provide the tools, support and capacity through an ILM Fund to assist others to
strive for stewardship excellence,
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c.
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identify and remove barriers that inhibit/restrict ILM collaboration, and
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d.
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use a "stewardship touchstone" to ensure that policies, programs and procedures
reflect ILM stewardship. Stewardship touchstone is a checklist of elements important
to stewardship which is used as an evaluation tool.
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1.2
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Organizations and associations should urge their members to strive for stewardship
excellence. This means that organizations and associations should:
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a.
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show leadership within their sectors in support of the goals of ILM by adopting
good stewardship practices.
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support the sharing of information and beneficial practices within and among membership,
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monitor, support and acknowledge stewardship amongst its membership,
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d.
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showcase complementary stewardship actions within and between sectors, and
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e.
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encourage members to exceed minimum stewardship requirements.
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1.3
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Communities and individuals should accept the challenge to integrate land stewardship
in their day-to-day activities by implementing activities that make a difference.
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Tactical Implementation
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To assist in implementing the above recommendations, use of the following tools
are urged:
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1.
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A stewardship awareness and education strategy should be collaboratively developed
that incorporates key ILM messages and support the goals of ILM partners.
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2.
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A recognition and rewards strategy should be developed to promote those beneficial
management practices that support ILM goals.
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3.
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An ILM communications strategy should be developed collaboratively with ILM partners
as part of the ILM program. The strategy should include regulatory and non-regulatory
incentives, performance measures, stewardship initiatives, process improvements,
and governance related to ILM.
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