Source URL: rmalberta.com/news/alberta-wetland-policy-now-in-effect-province-wide/

Alberta Wetland Policy Now in Effect Province-Wide

As of July 4, 2016, the Alberta Wetland Policy is in effect province-wide, and includes Alberta’s Green Area (boreal forest and eastern slopes). Regulatory bodies and regulatory applicants are expected to operate in accordance with all wetland directives, guides and tools posted on the Alberta Wetland Policy Implementation website that were previously implemented in the White Area (settled/populated).

The province-wide policy implementation requires that regulatory applicants operating in the Green Area will be expected to demonstrate appropriate consideration for avoidance and minimization of wetland impacts, in accordance with the Alberta Wetland Mitigation Directive.

The Alberta Wetland Mitigation Directive provides information regarding the wetland mitigation hierarchy to avoid, minimize and replace wetlands. The Directive is intended to help make decisions regarding avoidance and minimization before replacement as a last option. The Directive also identifies requirements for minimization or replacement plans, and permitted replacement projects where avoidance is not possible.

Additional information regarding the Alberta Wetland Policy implementation process can be obtained by contacting Thorsten Hebben, Surface Water Policy Section Head, at thorsten.hebben@gov.ab.ca.

The AAMDC will continue to share information related to the Alberta Wetland Policy with members as required.

Enquiries may be directed to:

Tasha Blumenthal
Policy Analyst
780.955.4094
Kim Heyman
Director of Advocacy & Communications
780.955.4079