Lands
The land use application process begins with a Land Disposition Request application
submitted by a potential user of public land. The evaluation process will result
in a recommendation specifying whether the proposed use can be integrated into other
land uses currently on the land (i.e., long- or short-term grazing, cultivation,
or sale).
Evaluation of a land use application involves a number of steps and consideration
of a number of factors that guide staff in determining integrated resource management
on the particular parcel of land.
Certain types of information vital to determining which activities are appropriate,
sustainable and suitable to be integrated on a particular parcel of land. It is
important to know about:
- Landscape
- Other resources
- Soils
- Vegetation
Over the years, resource inventories and applied research have been conducted on
the public land base. This has resulted in a mature and increasingly comprehensive
information base.
Legislation and policy provide provincial frameworks for management. Policies help
public land managers make consistent and fair decisions about managing public land.
Existing and emerging legislation gives Sustainable Resource Development the ability
to apply provincially-consistent conditions to land use, enforce standards and protect
the land.
Staff may consult with resource experts, the public and others responsible for management
of land uses (e.g., local municipalities). This approach helps determine what management
approaches may be needed to protect resources such as:
- Public interest
- Recreational opportunities
- Timber and other resources
- Water quality
- Wildlife habitat
Consultation also recognizes that any specific use of a resource can affect its
use and management for other purposes.
Where there is a high potential for local conflict between resource uses, or where
sensitive or unique landscapes require special management, regional integrated decisions
are made as to the suitability of public lands. Stakeholders are involved in the
decision, and this helps to minimize conflict and impact on other valuable resources.
The process enables the quality of public land and resources to be sustained while
allowing increased use by agriculture, industry and the public. The process is flexible
and allows for the accommodation of new information and demands or changes in public
values and desired results.
Through the consideration of these factors, Sustainable Resource Development arrives
at a decision on each land use application. A decision to allow agricultural land
use or sale will result in the land’s being made publicly available, usually through
a competitive process such as public auction or tender.
Posted April 28, 2009