The business plan for the three years commencing April 1, 2006 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 of February 23, 2006 with material economic or fiscal implications of which I am aware have been considered in preparing the business plan.

The Ministry's priorities outlined in the business plan were developed in the context of the government's business and fiscal plans. I am committed to achieving the planned results laid out in this business plan.

[Original Signed]

Guy Boutilier, Minister of Environment
March 1, 2006

THE MINISTRY

Alberta's environment sustains a high quality of life.

Steward and protect Alberta's environment to sustain diverse ecosystems, healthy Albertans, strong communities and a prosperous economy.

Alberta Environment is committed to achieving the Government of Alberta's Strategic Business Plan that sets out a vision of a vibrant and prosperous province where Albertans enjoy a superior quality of life and are confident about the future for themselves and their children. The key linkages between the Ministry of Environment's 2006-09 Business Plan and the Government of Alberta's (GOA) Strategic Business Plan are highlighted below.

GOA Strategic Business Plan Goal 11: The high quality of Alberta's environment will be sustained – The Ministry of Environment contributes to this goal by ensuring Albertans have a safe and sustainable supply of water and by taking effective action on climate change. The Ministry is also taking a leadership role in working with other ministries and key stakeholders to develop and implement sustainable resource and environmental management. Ensuring that Alberta has outcome-based management systems, integrated policies and streamlined regulatory processes is a strategic priority for the Ministry. The Ministry is committed to providing Albertans with exceptional leadership and service.

GOA Strategic Business Plan Goal 14: Alberta will have a supportive and sustainable infrastructure that promotes growth and enhances quality of life – The Ministry of Environment is linked to this goal as effective and sustainable infrastructure is essential to sustaining the high quality of Alberta’s environment. Government owned and supported infrastructure is key to ensuring Albertans have effective water management facilities and infrastructure. The Ministry is committed to working with partners to ensure Albertans have the effective infrastructure required to sustain Alberta’s environment.

GOA Strategic Business Plan Strategic Opportunity: Making Alberta the Best Place to Live, Work and Visit – Safe and adequate supplies of water, clean air and land, together with healthy, vibrant communities are the foundations of a high quality of life and form the core of the Ministry of Environment's 2006-09 Business Plan. Our three business plan goals and related strategies are closely aligned with the goals and commitments to Albertans in the Government of Alberta Strategic Business Plan, of which a clean natural environment is a key component. Our commitment to sustainable resource and environmental management and the use of innovative approaches and strategies to achieve better outcomes for air, water and land supports the government's plan.

The Ministry's values are reflected in our corporate and individual behaviors. They define how we treat our stakeholders, clients, partners, the public and each other.

Respect – We trust each other, respect the opinions of others, and others respect us.

Knowledge – We value informed decision-making based on clear problem definition, appropriate context, and shared information and analysis.

Continuous Learning – We acquire new skills that increase our capacity for improvement and innovation, and our ability to achieve corporate and personal goals.

Shared Responsibility – We work collaboratively with others to achieve environmental goals.

Integrity – We follow through on our commitments, providing reliable and ethical service. Leadership – We model the way forward while encouraging and enabling others to be leaders.

The Ministry of Environment is working collaboratively across government and with stakeholders to take a strategic systems approach to protecting and managing the environment. This approach focuses on sustainable resource and environmental management with the following five key elements:

• A high-level, government-wide vision for the environment with common goals, outcomes-based management systems, and integrated resource and environmental policies and strategies with coordinated implementation across ministries;
• A place-based approach that facilitates a cumulative approach to environmental decision-making and management practices, and integrates varying demands on resources;
• Shared responsibility for the environment with industry, communities, organizations, other governments, the public and the academic-scientific-technical community;
• Utilization of a more comprehensive, flexible set of regulatory and non-regulatory tools and incentives to encourage, support and reward effective environmental performance; and
• Continuous improvement in environmental performance and accountability.

The Ministry's approach to sustainable resource and environmental management is required to effectively respond to increasingly complex environmental challenges and risks. These include:

• Public Expectations: Albertans value their environment for the ecological, economic, recreational and social benefits it provides. They expect a safe and sufficient supply of water, clean air and productive land. Albertans also expect their government to effectively manage and protect the environment as a legacy for future generations. They want greater participation in shaping government policy and in delivering the programs that affect the quality of their lives.
• Water: There is increasing pressure on water usage and services fuelled by rapid economic and population growth in Alberta. The pressures include intensity of water use, water scarcity and management in flood situations requiring ecosystems protection, conservation of water and its efficient use. Surveys indicate that preferred solutions are ones that enhance the capacity of the local community to deal with its issues. The Ministry sees an opportunity to fully partner with citizens in stewardship and watershed planning activities through partnerships such as watershed councils and watershed stewardship groups.
• Climate Change: Public awareness of the need to respond to climate change continues to grow. Albertans have been leaders on this issue, and we must continue to contribute to solutions and influence national and international climate change policy. Our leadership in research on cleaner energy, carbon capture and gasification of coal is important on a global scale.
• Site Decontamination/Reclamation: There is a growing concern over the decontamination and reclamation of industrial sites and the associated liability. Albertans are looking to their government to ensure clean up of all contaminated sites, as they do not want to be left accountable for reclaiming industrial sites.
• Environmental Hazards: Recent significant environmental incidents, such as the major flood in southern Alberta and the spill incident at Wabamun Lake, emphasize the need for the Ministry to assess and manage environmental risks effectively to reduce the incidence of environmental hazards, and ensure that systems are in place to respond in a timely way when they occur. Albertans expect their government to act decisively when such incidents occur to ensure that the high quality of the environment is restored and maintained.
• Environmental Outcomes: The quality of the environment is affected by the environmental practices and behaviours of individuals, communities, industry and governments. The legislative mandate for natural resources and the environment is distributed among provincial ministries and other levels of government. Achieving desired environmental outcomes will therefore require the public and stakeholders to assume a shared responsibility for the environment, and ministries and governments to take coordinated action to achieve desired environmental outcomes. We will create awareness and educate Albertans to accomplish behavioral change.

Albertans have a safe and sustainable supply of water
With its partners, the Ministry of Environment leads effective management of the quality and quantity of our water resources and ensures healthy aquatic ecosystems. The Ministry's priority is to implement the provincial water strategy, Water for Life: Alberta's Strategy for Sustainability.

Alberta takes effective action on climate change
The Ministry, in partnership with other governments, industries and communities, works toward innovative and practical long-term solutions. Our priority is to implement the provincial climate change plan, Albertans & Climate Change: Taking Action, including:

• A focus on technology solutions; and
• Strategic investments that help Alberta respond to climate change while developing a competitive economy.

Alberta has an effective provincial land use framework
The Ministry is working with other ministries to develop a comprehensive provincial Land Use Framework for the effective management of competing land use interests to preserve Alberta's high quality of life and continued economic prosperity. We will work with other ministries to demonstrate resource conservation, resource recovery and waste reduction and promote the restoration of contaminated sites to productive use.

Alberta has outcome-based environmental management systems, integrated resource and environmental policies, and streamlined regulatory processes
The Ministry is committed to continuously improve Alberta's environment by working collaboratively with Sustainable Resource Development, Energy, other ministries and stakeholders for improved sustainable resource and environmental management including:

• Developing shared outcomes;
• Integrating policies within and across ministries, media and sectors;
• Delivering efficient and effective services to Albertans;
• Enhancing Albertans' awareness, understanding and wise use of the environment by providing reliable and accessible environmental information and education; and
• Reducing regulatory duplication.

Effective environmental management also requires performance measurement, risk management and program evaluation to demonstrate progress to Albertans in achieving environmental outcomes and goals.

Albertans receive exceptional leadership and service from Ministry of Environment staff to assure effective environmental management
The Ministry is dedicated to developing all employees and enhancing their leadership capacity. Our People Plan supports sustainable resource and environmental management through leading, learning and healthy workplace strategies. The Ministry aligns its human resource practices with the Government of Alberta's goals and priorities.

A clean environment sustains our ecosystems and provides a high quality of life for current and future generations. The Ministry works with others to set, achieve and report on key environmental outcomes. The Ministry also manages environmental risks and ensures a timely and coordinated response to environmental emergencies.

Water
1.1 Work with other ministries, governments and stakeholders to implement Water for Life: Alberta's Strategy For Sustainability, including:

• Developing and implementing a comprehensive, phased, long-term strategy to protect Albertans' drinking water;
• Using a place-based approach, establish water management objectives and priorities in watershed plans to sustain healthy aquatic ecosystems and support sustainable economic development; and
• Supporting best management practices in all sectors to improve the efficiency and productivity of water use.

1.2 Support Alberta's water infrastructure sustainability by:

• Operating and maintaining provincially-owned water infrastructure;
• Developing and implementing a management and reporting system (Environment Infrastructure Management System); and
• Working with municipalities and other ministries to respond to needs for infrastructure improvements.

1.3 Review current policy and regulations for coalbed methane development, and respond to recommendations from the Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Committee pertaining to water management.

1.4 Effectively manage the impact of droughts, floods and major spills in coordination with Emergency Management Alberta.

Climate Change
1.5 Make Alberta a leader in energy efficiency improvements, carbon management strategies and adapting to climate change and variability.

Air
1.6 Enhance Alberta’s comprehensive air management system by updating policies to maintain and improve Alberta’s air quality.

Using and Respecting the Land
1.7 Contribute to the development and implementation of an effective government-wide provincial land use strategy.

1.8 Demonstrate leadership in resource conservation, resource recovery and waste reduction.

1.9 Resolve contamination and liability issues through flexible tools and incentives promoting the restoration of contaminated sites to productive use, in response to the recommendations of the Contaminated Sites Stakeholder Advisory Committee.

Sustainable Resource and Environmental Management
1.10 Work with other ministries and stakeholders to further develop shared environmental outcomes, and integrate cross-ministry policies and information systems, including:

• Delivering solutions in accordance with the Government of Alberta's Integrated Information Systems and the Information Management Framework to address the priority information needs of the Ministry, stakeholders and clients;
• Recommending an integrated framework and improved delivery system for upstream oil and gas development, which improves clarity, efficiency, certainty, and accountability for industry and government, and is open and transparent to the public;
• Working with the Departments of Energy and Sustainable Resource Development in the consultation and development of strategies for oil sands development and environmental management for the benefits of current and future generations; and
• Commencing the Southern Alberta Sustainability Strategy. The outcomes of this project will be the definition of desired regional environmental outcomes for southern Alberta landscapes, achieved through consensus of a multi-stakeholder partnership.

Staff Capability
1.11 Update the primary business streams and identify skills required to support Sustainable Resource and Environmental Management.

1.12 Enhance leadership capacity, knowledge and skills for staff at all levels, to support continuous improvement in environmental performance.

TThe Ministry has the capacity, tools, and frameworks to effectively support achievement of environmental outcomes. The Ministry and its partners provide excellent service to stakeholders, clients and the public.

Water
2.1 Implement and enable delivery of a broad range of water management tools and techniques.

2.2 Continue to improve the resources available to communities for flood risk avoidance and warning.

Sustainable Resource and Environmental Management
2.3 Develop and use regulatory and non-regulatory tools and incentives to encourage, support and reward good environmental performance.

2.4 Develop and implement a Third Party Contracting Program to support and assist the Ministry's efforts to review major projects.

2.5 Review processes and increase capacity to continuously improve and integrate the regulatory regime, including clarifying approval requirements, and evaluating and streamlining reporting requirements.

2.6 In response to the recommendations of the Environmental Protection Commission, build Ministry capacity to support all-hazards environmental incident planning and response systems throughout the province, and improve business continuity planning and preparedness, in partnership with Emergency Management Alberta, and other government and stakeholder agencies.

Staff Capability
2.7 Target organizational training and development to enhance staff capability to provide effective service.

2.8 Implement the Ministry's Succession Management Framework and formalize knowledge management practices to ensure continuity of services.

The Ministry works collaboratively with other ministries, governments, organizations, associations and communities to effectively manage the environment. With knowledge and opportunity, Albertans can be actively involved in caring for the environment.

Water
3.1 Collaborate with partners to achieve the goals of Water for Life: Alberta's Strategy for Sustainability, including:

• Supporting the work of the Alberta Water Council and the Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils on watershed management issues in the province; and
• Supporting Watershed Stewardship Groups to improve the condition of local watersheds.

3.2 Help water-use sectors develop and implement water conservation and productivity plans to meet Alberta's water conservation targets, including:

• Working with stakeholders to implement recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Water Use Practice and Policy pertaining to the reduction or elimination of freshwater use in oilfield injection activities.

3.3 Work with other ministries and stakeholders on policy and supporting action plans to achieve sustainable wetlands, including development of a comprehensive drained wetland inventory for the province.

Climate Change
3.4 Implement the provincial strategy, Albertans & Climate Change: Taking Action, by working with stakeholders on innovative and practical long-term solutions to address the risks of climate change, including:

• Working with other governments in developing bilateral, national and international climate change policies.

Air
3.5 Work towards the completion of airshed zones using a place-based approach.

3.6 Collaborate through the Clean Air Strategic Alliance to develop plans to maintain and improve Alberta's air quality by:

• Developing a strategic air quality management plan for confined feeding operations;
• Increasing the use of renewable and alternate electricity generation; and
• Assisting in the implementation of the Human Health and Animal Health recommendations.

Sustainable Resource and Environmental Management
3.7 Develop and enhance collaboration and partnership with other ministries, governments, Aboriginal and other stakeholders to achieve shared environmental outcomes by:

• Developing and implementing Alberta Environment's First Nations Consultation Guidelines;
• Supporting the work of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME);
• Continuing to implement the Alberta/British Columbia Harmonization Agreement;
• Supporting the Rural Development Strategy by working to improve air, land and water management in rural communities; and
• Encouraging the use of stewardship endowments and trusts to support a high quality environment.

3.8 Develop fully functioning regional cumulative effects management systems for specific areas of the province, in collaboration with other ministries, governments, Aboriginals and stakeholders.

3.9 Encourage broader awareness and stewardship of the environment by:

• Supporting public awareness and education programs; and
• Providing online access to environmental information.

3.10 Develop and deliver a provincial conservation plan focusing on the areas of waste, energy conservation, and water. This approach will include:

• An extensive public education and awareness campaign aimed at motivating, educating and mobilizing all Albertans to reduce waste, conserve our resources and protect our environment; and
• A road-map outlining Alberta's strategies and actions for improved waste management, now and in the future.

Staff Capability
3.11 Ensure Environment staff members have the knowledge, skills and opportunities to be strategic facilitators and relationship builders.

3.12 Support the Ministry's vision and valued behaviors through the Workplace Culture Action Plan.