Annual report PDF
Preview Annual report
A k v ] , 109-1 OCT 23 1997 Ministry of Environmental Protection 1996-97 Annual Report Liberia Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 https://archive.org/details/annualreport1996albe_1 ALBERTA ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Office of the Minister Responsible for Forests, Parks and Wildlife The Honourable Ken Kowalski Office of the Speaker Legislative Assembly of Alberta Sir: The Ministry’s Annual Report for the year ended March 31, 1997 was prepared under my direction in accordance with the Government Accountability Act and the government’s accounting policies. All of the government’s policy decisions as at March 31, 1997 with material economic and fiscal implications of which I am aware have been considered in the preparation of the Ministry Annual Report. Respectfully submitted, TY LUND Minister 323 Legislature Building, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5K 2B6 Telephone 403/427-2391, Fax 403/422-6259 £) Printed on Recycled Paper Table of Contents Minister’s Accountability Statement i Message from the Minister 1 Overview 3 Introduction 3 The Department 3 The Boards and Corporation 4 Organization Chart 5 Results Analysis 6 Ministry Core Business, Goals and Accomplishments 7 Ministry Performance Measures 20 Ministry Boards and Corporation 32 Environmental Appeal Board 33 Natural Resources Conservation Board 36 Tire Recycling Management Board 42 Special Waste Management Corporation 45 Financial Information 46 Management’s Responsibility for Financial Reporting 47 Financial Statements 49 Message from the Minister In 1996-97, as always, we In addition to meeting the goals maintained our vigilance in in our three-year business plan, protecting the environment my Department met all its fiscal because we understand that targets and achieved its budget Alberta’s clean air, water, lands reductions of $30 million. We and our wildlife, forests and also met our manpower reduction protected areas are at the heart target of 191 positions, while of our quality of life. We are continuing to provide quality proud of our record in this area. programs and services. Further Much was accomplished by my efficiencies were achieved Ministry this fiscal year. While through downsizing, privatization honouring our commitment to of services, regionalization and environmental protection and the innovation in the way we do business. management of the province’s natural resources, our accomplishments contributed Over the past year, my Ministry significantly to the Alberta transferred management of the Ty Lund government’s overall fiscal Alberta Environmental Centre to Minister of objectives. Today, more than the Minister Responsible for Environmental Protection ever, Environmental Protection is Science, Research and well on the way to becoming a Information Technology. We more effective, efficient and privatized our Cadastral Mapping performance-driven organization. Program by partnering with I encourage you to read our industry, and finalized the sale of Annual Report, where you will find that Environmental Protection the government’s interest in the Alberta Special Waste continues to meet Albertans’ Management System. Decisions expectations for financial made this fiscal year will result in accountability, environmental privatization of some services at protection and responsible natural the Pine Ridge Forest Nursery resource management. and Environmental Training Centre. Finally, some Ministry As a Ministry, our ability to stay responsibilities were shifted to the course and fulfill our mandate two delegated administrative is due in large part to our organizations. These industry- commitment to detailed business funded management boards are planning. Our 1996-99 business now responsible for programs plan builds upon the results of previously run by the Fish and previous plans, dedicating Wildlife Trust Fund and the Tire resources to the efficient and Recycling Management Board. responsible delivery of the Ministry’s core business. Our The Ministry further improved plan also focuses resources on service through our the Alberta government regionalization efforts. Today, priorities— People, Prosperity and dedicated staff serve Albertans in Preservation. And our more than 100 communities commitment to performance across the province. This measurement makes the Ministry more accountable to Albertans. Community Level Service 1 Message from the Minister Community Level Service Alberta — for illegally releasing Long-term harmony requires initiative strengthens our emissions. In other cases, commitment to work directly with enforcement efforts with other communities and local jruirngi.s dictions led to the elimination sound policies based on the of a northern Alberta poaching governments to address mutual environmental issues and best possible science, concerns. Regionalization has also resulted in overall reductions The Ministry implemented in operational and administrative Phase I of its Regulatory Reform regulations that are stringent costs. Plan. This plan will reduce overlap and the bureaucracy that and fair and the will and Albertans agree that a healthy industry and individuals must environment and a healthy contend with. Existing regulations means to ensure they are economy are closely linked. will provide a high level of Long-term harmony requires environmental protection. sound policies based on the best Enforceable Codes of Practice, implemented and enforced. possible science, regulations that developed with our stakeholders, are stringent and fair and the will were introduced to replace and means to ensure they are approvals for industry activities implemented and enforced. under the Environmental — Ty Lund, Minister Protection and Enhancement Act that have minimal environmental In 1996-97, my Ministry Environmental Protection continued to develop forward- impact. looking policies and standards to ensure the sustainability of In addition to departmental Alberta’s wildlife, forests and programs, the boards within my renewable natural resources and Ministry also achieved important diverse ecosystems. Multi- accomplishments. Albertans stakeholder partnerships to played a role in shaping the develop and implement long-term Environmental Appeal Board’s strategies, such as the Special policies and regulations through Places program and Alberta stakeholder consultations. The Forest Conservation Strategy, are Natural Resources Conservation examples of our commitment. We Board prepared and distributed also completed the Northern new guidelines that advise River Basins Study, developed a Albertans how to effectively Fish Conservation Strategy and participate in the review process. Wpirloddliufcee d a n dt he T i Smtbaetru s S oufp p Allyb erta’s The accomplishments of 1996-97 reports in consultation with the would not have been possible scientific community. without the dedication of Ministry staff. Their efforts allowed the At Environmental Protection, our Ministry to meet its stringent regulations, coupled responsibilities for natural with compulsory monitoring by resource management and industry and active enforcement environmental protection in the programs, ensure our province, and in doing so environment remains protected. maintain essential elements of Our enforcement activities are the Alberta Advantage. the backbone of Alberta’s environmental legislation and regulations. Several court cases in 1996-97 led to ground- breaking penalties and fines. For example, a company was fined $300,000— the largest air- pollution fine ever levied in Ty Lund Minister of Environmental Protection 2 Overview Introduction Service; Environmental Our mission: As proud Regulatory Service; and Corporate Management Service, Alberta’s natural environment, with support from Financial with abundant natural resources stewards of Alberta’s Services and the and beautiful landscapes, is a j oy Communications Division. for its residents and the envy of renewable natural resources, Departmental services are the world. The province’s clean delivered in over 100 environment and sustainable communities throughout Alberta. we will protect, enhance and resource management practices contribute to our high quality of life. Alberta Environmental Natural Resources Service ensure the wise use of our Protection is working in The Natural Resources Service is partnership with all sectors to responsible for the management environment. We are a maintain and enhance the of Alberta’s water, wildlife and environment. fish, natural heritage resources dedicated and committed team and provincial parks. The Service is committed to the wise use and The past year has been full of sustainable development of these new challenges and productive responsible for managing these renewable resources for the initiatives for the Ministry of Environmental Protection. Many benefit of present and future resources with Albertans. We generations of Albertans. This cofo n ttrhei b uMtiendi s ttroy’wsa r di ni tbiuaitlidveisn g a responsibility is met through monitoring, careful and fair are guided by a shared strong and prosperous Alberta resource allocation, public and maintaining a clean and education and enforcement. healthy environment for present commitment to the environment and future generations of Albertans. Land and Forest Service and are accountable to our The Land and Forest Service’s aim is to ensure sustainable The Ministry is composed of the Department of Environmental management and protection of partners, the people of Alberta. Protection and, until recently, Alberta’s public lands. To achieve three Boards and a Corporation this aim, the Service develops reporting directly to the Minister: policy regarding the use of public the Environmental Appeal Board; lands and Crown forests, it the Natural Resources reviews and approves all Conservation Board; the Tire geophysical activity on Crown Recycling Management Board; land (both White and Green and the Special Waste Areas) and is responsible for Management Corporation. ensuring these activities conform to applicable provincial regulations and standards for The Department land and forest resource use. The Land and Forest Service The Department of Environmental also reforests lands harvested by Protection is organized into four small timber producers and major areas: Natural Resources devotes a large portion of its Service; Land and Forest resources toward managing wildfire and forest pests. 3 Overview Environmental Regulatory Service The Board reports and makes The Environmental Regulatory recommendations to the Minister Sen/ice’s primary responsibility is on appeals of decisions made by to ensure the quality of air, land Environmental Protection. These and water is protected and decisions include environmental maintained. This responsibility is protection orders and reclamation met through environmental certificates; assessment of assessments, standards setting, environmental issues and cases approvals, monitoring, involving adverse environmental enforcement, pollution control, impact on air, water and soil; waste management and and decisions related to reclamation. The Service is also hazardous wastes and responsible for ensuring the contaminated sites. quality of Alberta’s municipal drinking water. Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) Corporate Management Service The NRCB is an independent The Corporate Management body with the mandate to determine whether, in the Service provides corporate services (such as information Board’s opinion, a proposed management, human resources, project is in the public interest resource data management and having regard for the social and economic effects of the project, strategic and regional support) as well as its effects on the and coordinates department-wide initiatives. It helps develop environment. The Board provides resource management policies an open, fair and impartial review and legislation; provides the process within a structured legal strategic framework and support framework for major non-energy for integrated resource projects that will, or may, affect the natural resources of Alberta. management; coordinates The Board is committed to departmental decision-making and planning initiatives; and contributing to the sustainable dgaitshseermsi,n a atneasl y nsaetsu r aaln d resources dreesvoeulrocpemse n fto r o tfh e A l bbeernteafi’ts onfa tural information. Albertans today and in the future. The Boards and Tire Recycling Management Board (TRMB) Corporation Until fall 1996, the TRMB The Minister of Environmental tmiaren a rgeesdou r ctehse ptrhorvoiungche ’s scrap Protection is responsible for the economically and environmentally Environmental Appeal Board, the sound strategies. This Natural Resources Conservation management responsibility now Board, the Special Waste lies with a delegated Management Corporation, and administrative organization — the until recently, the Tire Recycling Tire Recycling Management Management Board. The Boards Association. and Corporation operate at arm’s length from the Department and Special Waste Management report directly to the Minister. Corporation (SWMC) The SWMC promotes establish- Environmental Appeal Board ment and operation of cost- (EAB) effective special waste manage- ment solutions in Alberta and The EAB provides fair, impartial and efficient resolution of all beyond. In 1996-97, the Ministry matters before it, consistent with finalized the sale of the govern- the purpose of the Environmental ment’s interest in the Special 4 Protection and Enhancement Act. Waste Management System. Results Analysis
The list of books you might like
