Comparison of management guidelines under current legislation and under the proposed Natural Heritage Act

8 Pages·1998·2.7 MB·English

by  Alberta. Alberta Environmental Protection

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CANAUtA
Report - 1 (c)
Comparison of Management
Guidelines Under Current
Legislation and under the
Proposed Natural Heritage Act
Draft For Discussion Purposes
Iberia
March 1998
NMENTAL PROTECTION
This report is the third in a s eries of three reports that collectively outline the Government’s proposed Policy
Foundation for the new Natural Heritage Act. The three reports are:
• Report la - P roposed Policy Foundation for the Natural Heritage Act.
• Report lb - P roposed Foundation for the Natural Heritage Act - M anagement Guidelines for Protected
and Recreation Areas.
• Report lc - C omparison of Management Guidelines under Current and Proposed Legislation.
• A r eport summarizing the above three reports is also now available.
Publication #1/694 ISBN #0-7785-0143-4
A C omparison of Management Guidelines under Current Legislation and
Proposed under the Natural Heritage Act
The three column table on the following pages provides a c omparison of current management guidelines for
recreation and protected areas with guidelines proposed for the new Natural Heritage Act.
Under the Natural Heritage Act ; f ive classes are proposed. These are Provincial Nature Reserves, Wildland
Provincial Parks, Natural Environment Provincial Parks, Heritage Rangelands, and Recreation Areas.
Collectively, these form a spectrum that ranges from highly protected areas through to those sites which are
established solely for outdoor recreation.
Exact comparison of the seven classes under the existing three Acts with the five classes under the proposed
new Act is impossible. Many existing recreation and protected areas are currently not designated in the
appropriate class. These sites would be moved to the most appropriate class under the new Natural Heritage
Act. Therefore, comparisons are not as simple as indicating that two of the existing classes would be
amalgamated into one new class. In general, however, sites would be redesignated as follows.
♦ Provincial Nature Reserves will include existing Ecological Reserves except those where livestock grazing
is used to maintain grassland ecology. Also included in this class will be existing Natural Areas that have
provincially significant natural values and are not encumbered with existing resource commitments.
♦ Wildland Provincial Parks will include the existing Wildland Parks under the Provincial Parks Act , t he
existing Wilderness Areas and Willmore Wilderness Park. Several of the larger Natural Areas could also be
included in this class.
♦ Natural Environment Provincial Parks will include existing Provincial Parks with significant natural
values along with a f ew similar Natural Areas. Some existing Recreation Areas also include significant
natural values and could be included in this class.
♦ Heritage Rangelands will include existing Ecological Reserves and Natural Areas, primarily in the
Grassland Natural Region, where it is desirable to continue to use livestock grazing as the primary
management tool for sustaining the grassland ecology.
♦ Recreation Areas will include most existing Recreation Areas: those Provincial Parks dedicated to
recreation facility development, and those Natural Areas that do not contain provincially significant
resources but remain locally important for various types of outdoor recreation.
Report 1(c) - C omparison of Management Guidelines 1 March 1998
Current Management Proposed Management Change
Guidelines Guidelines
Petroleum and Natural Gas Development - S ub- Petroleum and Natural Gas Development - I n Petroleum and Natural Gas Development - T he
surface mineral sales and activities related to oil and Nature Reserves, developments will be restricted to Heritage Rangeland class has been added. Natural
gas are prohibited in Wilderness Areas. New those that existed at the time of establishment. In Areas where ongoing development is p ermitted are
developments are prohibited in Ecological Reserves. those that existed at the time of establishment. In moved to the Recreation Area class. Natural Areas
Developments that exist at time of reserve Wildland Parks, Natural Environment Parks and that have significant features and which currently
establishment continue until resource is depleted. Heritage Rangelands developments will be restricted preclude development are moved to the Nature
New subsurface rights may be sold subject to a ‘ no to existing sub-surface dispositions. All new sales Reserve class.
surface access’ addendum. In Wildland Parks and will have a ‘ no surface access’ addendum.
Provincial Parks existing commitments are honoured. Infrastructure associated with pre-existing
No significant changes in other than reference to ‘a
commitments would be phased out over time in a
New mineral sales subject to ‘no surface access’
addendum. Conditions applied to minimize impacts. planned manner. In Recreation Areas ongoing sales phase out in a p lanned manner.’
In Natural Areas, activities are determined on a c ase and development will be permitted subject to
by case basis. Conditions are applied to protect conditions.
sensitive and scenic land. In Recreation Areas
ongoing oil and gas development is p ermitted subject
to specific terms and conditions intended to minimize
conflict with recreation use.
Mainline Pipelines - P rohibited in Wilderness Mainline Pipelines - W ithin Nature Reserves, Mainline Pipeline - N o change from current policy.
Areas, Ecological Reserves and Willmore Wilderness Wildland Parks, Natural Environment Parks and
Park. Permitted in Provincial Parks and Natural Heritage Rangelands, existing mainline pipeline
Areas under strict conditions if n o alternatives exist. commitments will be honoured. Access for ongoing
Permitted in Recreation Areas. operations and maintenance of facilities, and for
emergencies will continue. Expansion of the pipeline
corridor may be allowed where there are no feasible
alternatives for re-routing the pipeline. Permitted in
Recreation Areas when the recreation value of the
area is not compromised.
Road and Utilities - P rohibited in Wilderness Areas, Road and Utilities - P rohibited in Nature Reserves. Road and Utilities - N o significant change from
Ecological Reserves and Willmore Wilderness Park. Permitted in Wildland Parks, Natural Environment existing policy.
Permitted with conditions in Wildland Parks and Parks and Heritage Rangelands to access existing
Provincial Parks to access existing commitments. resource commitments using existing rights-of-way
Permitted in Natural Areas and Recreation Areas on a where possible.
case-by-case basis.
Permitted in Recreation Areas, where there are no
serious conflicts with recreation use.
Mining - S ub-surface Minerals - C urrently Mining - S ub-surface Minerals - P rohibited in all Mining - S ub-surface Minerals - E xisting
prohibited in all classes with the exception of new classes with the exception of honouring existing Recreation and protected areas have very few
Special Places where existing commitments will be commitments. No new sub-surface dispositions. In existing sub-surface commitments for mining. The
honoured. the event that a c ompany holding the rights wishes to change in p olicy make provision to honour existing
develop a p re-existing commitment, the proposed commitments in new Special Places
mine would be reviewed through the existing
regulatory process. Should a m ine be approved, the
area will be deleted from the protected area network.
Surface Minerals - T here are currently no Surface Minerals - E xploration and development of Surface Minerals - N o change from current policy.
dispositions for development of sand, gravel, clay, all surface minerals will continue to be prohibited.
peat, marl or other surface minerals in any class of
recreation and protected area.
Commercial Telecommunications Towers - Commercial Telecommunications Towers - N ew Commercial Telecommunications Towers - n o
Prohibited in Wilderness Areas. New towers towers prohibited in all classes except Recreation change from current practice.
prohibited in Ecological Reserves and Provincial Areas.
Parks.
2
Report 1(c) - C omparison of Management Guidelines March 1998
Current Management Proposed Management Change
Guidelines Guidelines
Domestic Livestock Grazing - P rohibited in Domestic Livestock Grazing - W ill continue as the Domestic Livestock Grazing -No change in p olicy
Wilderness Areas and Wildland Parks, permitted as primary management tool in Heritage Rangelands for existing areas.
part of the ongoing management of Provincial Parks and will be permitted in some Recreation Areas.
and Ecological Reserves in the Grassland, Parkland Will continue in those Natural Environment Parks
The Heritage Rangeland class is created to
and Montane. Prohibited in Natural Areas with the where it h as been used as a m anagement tool.
accommodate protected areas where grazing is the
exception of new Special Places in the Grassland Prohibited in Wildand Parks and Nature Reserves.
primary management tool for sustaining the grassland
Region where Natural Areas are being used as an
ecology. Natural Areas and Ecological Reserves
interim designation pending the creation of the
with ongoing grazing will be moved to this class.
Heritage Rangland class. Permitted in Recreation
Only those Natural Areas that are free from long term
Areas but frequently precluded by small size.
grazing dispositions will be considered for the Nature
Reserve class.
Cultivation - P recluded in all classes except Cultivation - P rohibited in all classes except Cultivation - N o change from current policy.
Recreation Areas such as Blackfoot where it i s a Recreation Areas where it m ay be component of
component of multiple use management. multiple use management in areas such as Blackfoot.
Sustained Yield Timber Harvesting - C urrently Sustained Yield Timber Harvesting - P rohibited in Sustained Yield Timber Harvesting - C urrent
prohibited in all classes except some Recreation all classes. prohibitions continue in all protected areas classes.
Areas where small-scale logging may be considered No change in policy other than in Recreation Areas.
where it is compatible with recreation objectives. Areas committed to sustained yield timber harvesting
will no longer be established as Recreation Areas.
Forest and Range Protection - W ildfires are Forest and Range Protection - W ildfires will Forest and Range Protection - S ome clarification
suppressed in all classes on a p riority basis. continue to be suppressed in all classes. Smaller of approach. No major change in p olicy
fires, that may be beneficial to the maintenance or
Most of the insect infestations and diseases are renewal of the ecological values of the areas may be
monitored and eradication/control programs are allowed to bum in all protected areas provided the
implemented as required to prevent spread to risk of them progressing to unmanageable size and
commercial forests on adjacent Crown land and/or to intensity is minimal and no immediate control action
prevent significant ecological change within the area. is required to protect facilities within the area or other
resources on adjacent lands. Such fires will be
closely monitored.
Pre-suppression measures associated with fire hazard
reduction and fire detection may be considered in
cllaarsgseers . ( e.g.>10 km2) Nature Reserves and in all other
Insect infestations and tree diseases within protected
areas will continue to be monitored and
eradication/control programs will be implemented
when required to maintain the ecological values of
the areas and to protect forest values and adjacent
land. Sanitation cutting and controlled burning are
the preferred control methods but other methods may
be considered when necessary.
Forest and Range Protection activities in all classes
will be carried out in accordance with the Forest and
Prairie Protection Act and its regulations and with
approved management plans.
3 March 1998
Report 1(c) - C omparison of Management Guidelines
Current Management Proposed Management Change
Guidelines Guidelines
Vegetation Management- Prohibited in wilderness Vegetation Management - P ermitted in all classes Vegetation Management - W ould permit
Areas. to comply with the Weed Control Act using methods management activity in Wilderness Areas, and would
that are effective and least detrimental to non-target increase the usable options available.
Permitted in Ecological Reserves and to achieve organisms.
specific ecological objectives
Permitted in all protected areas to achieve specific
Permitted in facility areas of Provincial Parks and in ecological objectives. May be permitted in recreation
Recreation Areas for visitor safety and to enhance areas where it d oes not conflict with recreational use.
recreation opportunities.
While the use of prescribed burning and prescribed
Permitted in all classes as required to comply with tree and stand removal by cutting will be the
the Weed Control Act. preferred tools in vegetation management, other,
alternative protocols may also be considered
provided ecological objectives are not significantly
compromised.
Water Management - W ater management structures Water Management - D iversion of water or other Water Management - S ome formalization of
prohibited in Ecological Reserves, Wilderness Areas. water management activities would be prohibited in
No specific prohibition in Provincial Parks, Wildland Nature Reserves and Wildland parks. Subject to the existing ‘practice ’.
Provincial Parks or Recreation Areas. Small weirs Water Act, the Department may carry out No significant policy change.
are located in some parks and Recreation Areas. management activities to achieve specific
Many Recreation Areas are adjacent to reservoirs and preservation objectives or protect outdoor recreation Note: New Water Act not yet in effect. It will replace
provide recreation access. facilities in Natural Environment Parks and Heritage the existing Water Resources Act.
Rangelands.
Water management to enhance outdoor recreation
may be considered in Recreation Areas.
Motor Vehicle Access - P rohibited in Wilderness Motor Vehicle Access - P rohibited in Nature Motor Vehicle Access -No change from current
Areas and Willmore Wilderness Park. Prohibited in Reserves, Wildland Parks and Heritage Rangelands
Ecological Reserves except for management except for management activities or carrying out policy.
activities or activities associated with a v alid approved operations associated with a v alid
disposition. Restricted to designated roads in disposition or research permit. Within Natural
Provincial Parks, Recreation Areas and Natural Environment Parks and Recreation Areas, vehicles
Areas. are restricted to public roads or limited management
purposes or carrying out activities associated with a
valid disposition or research permit, in areas not road
accessible
Off -Highway Vehicles and Snowmobiles - Off -Highway Vehicles and Snowmobiles - Off -Highway Vehicles and Snowmobiles - N o
Prohibited in Wilderness Areas, Willmore Prohibited in Nature Reserves. Permitted in Heritage significant change from the current policy except for
Wilderness Park and Ecological Reserves. In Rangelands for management activities associated possible designation of routes in Wildland Parks
Wildland Parks designated routes that existed at the with a v alid disposition. In some Natural where use patterns are already well established.
time of establishment may be considered to ensure Environment Parks staging areas may be used to
continuity of regional trail systems. In Provincial provide snowmobile access to lakes or crown land
Parks and Recreation Areas, facilities may serve as outside the park. Prohibited in Wildland Parks
staging areas for adjacent land provided there are no except for new areas where use is already well
conflicts with other users and natural values are not established. In such circumstances a l imited number
compromised. Permitted in Natural Areas and in of specific routes may be designated at the time of
some Recreation Areas that have an OHV zone or establishment. Permitted on designated trails in
designated OHV trails. larger Recreation Areas
Report 1 ( c) - C omparison of Management Guidelines 4 March 1998
Current Management Proposed Management Change
Guidelines Guidelines
Aircraft Landing - P rohibited in all classes except Aircraft Landing - P rohibited in Nature Reserves,
with written authorization for research or Natural Environment Parks and Heritage Rangelands Aircraft Landing - P ermitted in Recreation Areas
for recreation purposes subject to the management
management purposes or in the case of emergencies. except for emergencies, approved research and
plan. Floatplanes access may be permitted to
management or operations associated with and
designated lakes in Wildland Provincial Parks,
existing disposition. Floatplane access to designated
subject to the management plan.
lakes in some Wildland Parks may be permitted
subject to the management plan. Helicopters and
floatplanes may be permitted in Recreation Areas
subject to the management plan. Airstrips are
prohibited in all classes
Power Boating - P rohibited in Ecological Reserves, Power Boating - P rohibited in Nature Reserves. Power Boating - N o significant policy change.
Wilderness Areas and Willmore Wilderness Park. Permitted on rivers and lakes in Wildland Parks and
Permitted in the other classes subject to boating Natural Environment Parks where the activity already
restrictions under the Canada Shipping Act. occurs. Prohibited in Heritage Rangelands except as
required for management or in emergencies.
Permitted in Recreations Areas.
Commercial Tourism Facilities1- Prohibited in Commercial Tourism Facilities - P rohibited in Commercial Tourism Facilities - R estricted to
Wilderness Areas, Ecological Reserves, Natural Nature Reserves, Wildland Parks, and Heritage existing developments in Natural Environment Parks.
Areas, Willmore Wilderness Park and Wildland Rangelands. Restricted to existing developments
Parks. May be permitted in Provincial Parks within Natural Environment Parks. Permitted in
providing it is consistent with the primary intent of Recreation Areas.
preserving the natural landscape. Permitted in
Recreation Areas.
Outdoor Recreation Facilities - P rohibited in Outdoor Recreation Facilities -Prohibited in Outdoor Recreation Facilities - C lear separation of
Wilderness Areas and Ecological Reserves. Nature Reserves. Limited to trails, trail bridges and Natural Environment Parks and Recreation Areas
Restricted to trails, bridges and primitive facilities in backcountry campsites in Wildland Parks. Limited in will clarify the intent of these sites.
Wildland Parks, Willmore Wilderness Park and Natural Environment Parks to those facilities that
Natural Areas. A w ide range of facilities are enhance heritage appreciation, recreation and tourism No change for Wildland Parks or Nature Reserves.
permitted in Provincial Parks and Recreation Areas. use associated with protection of the natural The range of recreation facilities available in Natural
environment. A w ide range of facilities will be Environment Parks will be narrower than currently
permitted in Recreation Areas. permitted in Provincial Parks while the range of
facilities for Recreation Areas will be broadened.
Auto Access Campgrounds - P rohibited in Auto Access Campgrounds - P rohibited in Nature Auto Access Campgrounds - P rovision for staging
Wilderness Areas, Ecological Reserves, Wildland Reserves and Heritage Rangelands. Prohibited in areas on the perimeter of Wildland Parks. Auto
Parks, Natural Areas and Willmore Wilderness Park. Wildland Parks except for staging areas, which must access camping will be prohibited in Heritage
Permitted in Provincial Parks and Recreation Areas. be on the perimeter. Permitted in Natural Rangelands.
Environment Parks and Recreation Areas.
Backcountry Camping - P rohibited in Ecological Backcountry Camping - P rohibited in Nature Backcountry Camping -No change form current
Reserves. Permitted in all other classes where land Reserves. May be permitted in all other classes policy except that including the Wilderness Areas in
base is large enough. Restricted to designated areas subject to terms and conditions of the management the Wildland Park class may permit the construction
in some classes. No facilities may be constructed in of basic backcountry campsites and trail
Wilderness Areas.
improvements if warranted.
plan.
Horse Use - P rohibited in Wilderness Areas. Horse Use - P rohibited in Nature Reserves. Horse Use - P rohibition in Nature Reserves will be
Recreational use is discouraged in Ecological Permitted in Wildland Parks where use patterns are accommodated by moving Ecological Reserves with
Reserves. Permitted in Willmore Wilderness Park, established at the time of designation. Permitted in grazing to the Heritage Rangeland class.
Wildland Parks and Natural Areas. Permitted in the other classes subject to terms and conditions as
designated areas or on designated trails in Provincial set out in management plans. Encouraged for
“arks and Recreation Areas. management of cattle in Heritage Rangelands.
1 C ommercial Tourism Facilities include hotels or motels, RV parks, golf courses, downhill ski areas, heli-skiing
>perations, or similar types of development. It does not include rustic fixed roof accommodation such as a r ustic hostel,
>ackcountry hut, or similar facilities.
5 March 1998
Report 1(c) - C omparison of Management Guidelines
National Library of Canada
Bibliotheque nationale du Canada
3 3286 51739 6863
Change
Current Management Proposed Management
Guidelines Guidelines
Hunting - P rohibited in Wilderness Areas. Hunting - P rohibited in Nature Reserves. Permitted Hunting - N o change from current policy.
Permitted in Ecological Reserves and Provincial in Natural Environment Parks as required for
Parks only where required to control wildlife management purposes to control problem wildlife
populations. Permitted in Natural Areas, Wildland populations. Permitted in Wildland Parks where
Parks, Willmore Wilderness Park and Recreation hunting occurs at the time of designation. Permitted
Areas. in Heritage Rangelands and Recreation Areas subject
to guidelines in the management plan.
Fishing - P rohibited in Wilderness Areas and Fishing - P rohibited in Nature Reserves. Permitted Fishing - N o change
Ecological Reserves. Permitted in the other classes. in Wildland Parks that are open to fishing at the time
of establishment. Permitted in the other classes.
Trapping - P rohibited in Wilderness Areas. Trapping - P rohibited in Nature Reserves. Trapping - N o change from current policy.
Prohibited in Ecological Reserves and Provincial Prohibited in Natural Environment Parks except as
Parks except as required for management purposes. required for management purposes. Permitted to
Pre-existing traplines are phased out in these areas. continue in Wildland Parks where it o ccurs at the
Permitted in Wildland Parks, Willmore Wilderness time of establishment subject to the management
Park, Natural Areas and Recreation Areas. plan. Permitted in Heritage Rangelands and
Recreation Areas subject to the management plan
Cycling, Mountain Biking - P rohibited in Cycling, Mountain Biking - P rohibited in Nature Cycling, Mountain Biking - P rohibited in Nature
Wilderness Areas and Willmore Wilderness Park. Reserves. May be permitted on specific routes in Reserves.
Generally restricted to roads and designated trails in Wildland Parks where use is already well established
Provincial Parks. Cycling may be permitted on at the time of designation. Restricted to roads and
routes as specified in the management plan in designated trails in Natural Environment Parks. May
Ecological Reserves, Wildland Parks and Provincial be permitted in Wildland Parks and Heritage
Parks. Permitted in Natural Areas and Recreation Rangelands subject to the management plan.
Areas. Permitted in Recreation Areas.
Management Activities - T he use of motor vehicles, Management Activities - U se of motorized vehicles Management Activities - N o change from current
horses, off-highway vehicles, snowmobiles, aircraft, and other conveyances by Department staff or others
etc., is p ermitted in all classes for work related to completing work on behalf of the Province would policy.
resource protection and monitoring, environmental continue in all classes.
research, visitor management, public safety and
search and rescue or other emergencies; forest and
range protection, vegetation management, general
management and enforcement activities carried out
by or on behalf of the Province.
6 March 1998
Report 1(c) -Comparison of Management Guidelines