Cumulative Effects Management: Why We All Need to be Involved

Heather Sinton

Regional Science and Planning Manager

Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development

Overview

• This presentation will cover:– Why we need a Cumulative Effects

Management System (CEMS)– CEMS and the South Saskatchewan

Regional Plan – Water and air management frameworks to

support a CEMS approach– What you can do to help

The Cumulative Effects Management System considers the sum of all human activities and natural environmental quality

Natural Environment = Land + Air + Water + Biodiversity

Cumulative Effects is about place and how we interact with this place – Southern Alberta – where we live.

We recognize that we cannot continue to manage the landscape in the same way we did in the past.

We all care about the sustainability of these places and want plentiful clean water, clean air, and productive lands. We want to protect the plants and animals that are integral to the function of these landscapes.

We want to have clean water and clean air for generations to come, and a CEMS approach

will help us achieve that.

CEMS and the Land-use Framework

• Seven Strategies under the LUF

– Develop seven regional land-use plans

– Create a Land-use Secretariat and Regional Advisory Council for each region

– Cumulative effects management to manage impact of development on land, water and air

– Develop a strategy for conservation and stewardship on private and public lands

– Promote efficient use of land– Establish an information,

monitoring & knowledge system– Inclusion of aboriginal peoples in

land-use planning

Why CEMS and Why Now?

Managing Growth We need a plan to manage growth pressures

Cumulative Effects System Fundamentals

Outcomes based: clearly defined end states

Place based: at different scales

Performance management based: adaptive

Collaborative: shared stewardship

Comprehensive implementation: regulatory and non-regulatory

Aquatic habitat indicators

WATER

Biodiversity

Groundwater

(quantity and quality)

Acid depositionAir Quality AIR

Climate Change

SocialIndicators

Cost/benefit

Socio-EconomicLand Use Change

Surface water quality

Surface water quantity

LAND

Terrestrial &

Biodiversity indicators

GHGSOX - NOX

emissions

CEMS• Complex

• Multi media•

Interactive

Integrating Management Across Sectors

Environmental Management SystemEnvironmental Management System

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Cumulative Effects Management System

DELIVER OUTCOMES• Authorizations, Compliance Assurance,

Monitoring, Data Management, Emergency Services, Programs, Decisions, Partnerships

STRATEGIC DIRECTION• Legislation• GoA and Ministry business plans• Integrated Provincial Level Strategic

Policies (e.g. Water For Life, Climate Change Strategy, Provincial Energy Strategy, Oil Sands Strategic Plan, etc.)

DEVELOP & REFINEOUTCOMES & STRATEGIES• Regional Planning, including

Regional Strategic Assessment

• Operational Policy• Management Frameworks

EVALUATE & REPORT PERFORMANCE

• Environmental indicators and their implications

• Effectiveness of strategies and their delivery

Performance Management

Our Collective Goal: A Sustainable Future

Provincial

Regional Strategies

Sub-Regional &Operational Operational Decisions

Levels of Planning

Major Project Reviews

Sub-regional Plans

Municipal Plans

Regional

Provincial Policy & Legislation

Role of Partnerships• AESRD works with partners in

the region to develop and achieve outcomes for air, land and water

• These partners are assisted by GOA to develop management plans and are involved in creating management frameworks

• Partners can help to educate the public about environmental stewardship

Management Frameworks

These include:• Outcomes and objectives• Performance

Management System– Limits and trigger

levels– Monitoring, Evaluation

and Reporting• Management Strategies

and Actions

Environmental Management Frameworks: Air e.g., Pm/Ozone

Are we there yet?• “We’ve only just begun”• Cumulative effects

management will need to consider the effects of development on all media in a place

• We all need to work together to build and implement the system

• Get involved in a partnership like CRAZ that is developing air quality management plans in response to air quality concerns

• Take personal responsibility for being a good steward of the environment

• Educate and influence the people around you

What can YOU do?