Policy Recommendation
Land-Use Framework
A land-use planning framework is an approach to manage public and private lands and natural resources to achieve long-term economic, environmental and social goals. Its purpose is to effectively balance competing demands for land and water resources.
Newfoundland and Labrador’s natural resource industries – oil and gas, mining, energy, fishing, aquaculture, agriculture, forestry, and tourism – have co-existed in our modern economy without significant disruption. However, with increased development comes increased discussion on priorities such as ocean navigation, proximity of projects, protected areas, etc.
Once established, a land-use framework provides the benefits of increased predictability for industry, a sense of certainty in the stewardship and conservation of public and private lands, the clarification of roles and responsibilities for land-use decisions at all levels, and improved levels of information sharing. A framework would ensure the activities geographically of one industry are not in direct opposition to the interests of another.
The development of a land-use planning framework would be complementary to future discussions around regional governance in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Action Recommended:
Newfoundland and Labrador to review Alberta’s Land-Use Framework and assess long-term benefits of implementation of similar system.
Discussion
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