Cold Lake Sub-regional Plan: Regulatory Details and Land Use Amendments

Official title: Cold Lake Sub-regional Plan engagement

Closed Community Planning Environment & Climate Natural Resources
Alberta is finalizing regulatory details for the Cold Lake Sub-regional Plan, which guides development in northeastern Alberta's caribou habitat. These rules will be added to the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan, giving them legal teeth for compliance and enforcement. The plan balances resource development with wildlife protection and ecosystem conservation.

Why This Matters

Live or work in northeastern Alberta? These rules affect what can be built and where. Hunters, trappers, and outdoor enthusiasts should care too—the plan shapes how caribou habitat is managed. Energy companies and forestry operations will face new requirements.

What Could Change

The regulatory details will become legally enforceable once added to the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan. That means development projects in the Cold Lake area will need to follow specific rules about land disturbance and caribou habitat. Companies could face compliance requirements and potential penalties for violations.

Key Issues

  • How should regulatory details be structured to enforce the Cold Lake Sub-regional Plan?
  • What amendments to the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan are needed for implementation?
  • How can resource development be balanced with caribou habitat protection?

How to Participate

  1. Review the Cold Lake Sub-regional Plan regulatory details and the Sub-regional Planning Fact Sheet to understand the proposed rules.
  2. The online survey closed on July 8, 2024. For questions, contact srpregdetailslarp@gov.ab.ca.

What Happened

Albertans completed the online survey between May 8 and July 8, 2024. The government also conducted direct engagement with Indigenous communities and organizations throughout the Cold Lake Sub-regional Plan area, and informed stakeholders including holders of statutory consents. Feedback will be reviewed before finalization of the regulatory details and Lower Athabasca Regional Plan amendments.

Key Documents