Alberta Land Stewardship Regulation

(Consolidated up to 218/2022) ALBERTA REGULATION 179/2011 Alberta Land Stewardship Act ALBERTA LAND STEWARDSHIP REGULATION Table of Contents 1 Definition 2 Application of Regulation 3 Interpretation bulletins 4 Service of notice of conservation directive Part 1 Requests for Review of Regional Plan 5 Interpretation 6 Panel 7 Making an application 8 Delivery of application 9 Forwarding application to panel 10 Rules respecting conduct of review 11 Availability of applications and reports Part 2 Variances in Respect of Regional Plan 12 Definitions 13 Form of application 14 Delivery of application 15 Combining applications 16 Application temporarily suspends operation of a restriction, limitation or requirement 17 Additional information 18 Advisory panel 19 Decision 20 Withdrawal of application 21 Variance order 22 Availability of applications and variance orders Part 3 Regional Plan Compensation 23 Definitions 24 Application of Part Division 1 Conservation Directive Compensation 25 Application for compensation 26 Delivery of application 27 Combining applications 28 Additional information 29 Decision on compensation 30 Application to Compensation Board or Court 31 Appeal to Court of Appeal 32 Withdrawal of application Division 2 Compensable Taking Compensation 33 Application in respect of compensable taking 34 Advisory panel 35 Application of Act and Division 1 Part 4 Expiry and Coming into Force 37 Coming into force Definition 1 In this Regulation, “Act” means the Alberta Land Stewardship Act. Application of Regulation 2 (1) Part 1 deals with matters related to requests for a review of a regional plan or an amendment to a regional plan under section 19.2 of the Act. (2) Part 2 deals with matters related to applications for variance in respect of any restriction, limitation or requirement regarding a land area or subsisting land use under a regional plan under section 15.1 of the Act. (3) Part 3 deals with matters related to applications for compensation under Part 3, Division 3 and section 19.1 of the Act. Interpretation bulletins 3 (1) The secretariat may, at the direction of the Stewardship Minister or on the initiative of the secretariat, issue interpretation bulletins on the interpretation, application, compliance, non‑compliance and intended purpose, application or implementation of a regional plan. (2) An interpretation bulletin must indicate whether it is to be binding or advisory. (3) An interpretation bulletin that is to be binding must be approved by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. (4) An interpretation bulletin that is binding has the same effect as if it had been included in a regional plan. Service of notice of conservation directive 4 (1) In this section, “certificate of title” means the record of the title to land that is maintained by the Registrar of Titles. (2) A notice of a conservation directive may also be served by sending the notice by registered mail or courier, (a) in the case of Crown land, to the title holder at the last address shown for that person on the records of the department administering the land, or (b) in the case of land that is neither Crown land nor settlement patented land, to the title holder at the last address shown for that person on the certificate of title. Part 1 Requests for Review of Regional Plan Interpretation 5 (1) In this Part, (a) “applicant” means a person who has made a request for a review of a regional plan or an amendment to a regional plan under section 19.2 of the Act; (b) “application” means a request for review of a regional plan or an amendment to a regional plan; (c) “directly and adversely affected”, in respect of a person with regard to a regional plan, means that there is a reasonable probability that a person’s health, property, income or quiet enjoyment of property, or some combination of them, is being or will be more than minimally harmed by the regional plan; (d) “panel” means a panel referred to in section 6(1)(a) or a board or other body referred to in section 6(1)(b) when it is acting as a panel under this Regulation. (2) A reference in this Part to review of a regional plan includes review of an amendment to a regional plan. Panel 6 (1) On receiving an application, the Stewardship Minister may, for the purpose of the conducting of a review of a regional plan in accordance with section 9, (a) appoint members to a panel, or (b) refer the request for review to a board or other body established under another enactment if the Stewardship Minister considers that the board or other body has suitable expertise and resources. (2) The Stewardship Minister may, with respect to a panel referred to in subsection (1)(a), (a) prescribe the terms of office of its members, (b) designate a chair, (c) authorize, fix or provide for the payment of expenses to its members and remuneration to its members who are not employees of the Government, and (d) prescribe the number of members of the panel that constitutes a quorum. (3) Where the Stewardship Minister refers an application to a board or other body referred to in subsection (1)(b), the Stewardship Minister may (a) authorize, fix or provide for the payment of expenses to its members, and remuneration to those members who are not employees of the Government, when they are acting as a panel under this Regulation, and (b) require the board or other body to act in accordance with the rules respecting the conduct of a review established by the Stewardship Minister under section 10. Making an application 7 (1) An application must be in a form approved by the Stewardship Minister and must contain the following information: (a) the name and address of the applicant and, if the applicant is a corporation, society or other body corporate, the name of the chief executive officer of the applicant; (b) if the applicant is appointing a person to represent the applicant with respect to the application, the name of the person and the contact information of the person; (c) the address in Alberta to which notices or other communications with respect to the application may be sent; (d) identification of the specific provision of the regional plan that the applicant believes is directly and adversely affecting the applicant or will directly and adversely affect the applicant; (e) an explanation of how the specific provision identified in clause (d) is directly and adversely affecting the applicant or will directly and adversely affect the applicant; (f) an explanation of the adverse effects the applicant is suffering or expects to suffer as a result of the specific provision identified in clause (d); (g) the relief being requested by the applicant, which may include any amendment to the specific provision of the regional plan identified in clause (d) that the applicant proposes in order to diminish or eliminate the adverse effects identified in clause (f). (2) If an application includes a technical or professional report or material of a technical or professional nature, the application must set out the qualifications of the person who prepared the technical or professional report or material. Delivery of application 8 (1) Subject to subsection (2), an application must be delivered by personal service, registered mail or courier to the Stewardship Minister at the address designated by the stewardship commissioner. (2) An application may be delivered by fax or other electronic means, but the application is not considered to be received unless the Stewardship Minister acknowledges receipt of the application. Forwarding application to panel 9 (1) Subject to subsection (2), on receipt of a complete application, the Stewardship Minister shall forward the application to the panel for the panel to conduct the required review of the regional plan and to report the results of the review and any recommendations to the Stewardship Minister. (2) If the Stewardship Minister has received 2 or more applications, the Stewardship Minister may combine some or all of those applications to be reviewed concurrently by the panel. (3) An application is not complete until all of the applicable information required under section 7(1) has been provided to the satisfaction of the Stewardship Minister. Rules respecting conduct of review 10 (1) The Stewardship Minister may establish rules respecting the conduct of a review by a panel, including, without limitation, rules respecting the review of combined applications, and the contents of reports and any recommendations by the panel. (2) If the Stewardship Minister establishes rules referred to in subsection (1), the rules and any amendments to them must be posted on the secretariat’s website. Availability of applications and reports 11 (1) A copy of each complete application must be posted in its entirety on the secretariat’s website as soon as practicable after it is received. (2) A copy of each report and any recommendations prepared by a panel must be posted on the secretariat’s website not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days after the report and any recommendations have been presented by the Stewardship Minister to the Executive Council under section 19.2(3) of the Act. Part 2 Variances in Respect of Regional Plan Definitions 12 In this Part, (a) “applicant” means a title holder who applies for a variance under section 15.1 of the Act; (b) “application” means an application for a variance under section 15.1 of the Act; (c) “variance” means a waiver of compliance in respect of any restriction, limitation or requirement regarding a land area or subsisting land use, or both, under a regional plan; (d) “variance order” means an order made by the Stewardship Minister under section 15.1 of the Act. Form of application 13 (1) An application must be in a form approved by the Stewardship Minister and must contain the following information: (a) the name and address of the applicant and, if the applicant is a corporation, society or other body corporate, the name of the chief executive officer of the applicant; (b) if the applicant is appointing a person to represent the applicant with respect to the application, the name and the contact information of the person; (c) the address in Alberta to which notices or other communications with respect to the application may be sent; (d) if the application is in respect of a land area, the legal description, or other form of description acceptable to the Stewardship Minister, of the land area; (e) if the application is in respect of a subsisting land use, a description of the subsisting land use; (f) identification of the restriction, limitation or requirement under the regional plan in respect of which the applicant is seeking a variance; (g) an explanation of why the variance is necessary; (h) a description of the variance specifically requested by the applicant, including any proposed terms and conditions of the variance being requested. (2) If an application includes a technical or professional report or material of a technical or professional nature, the application must set out the qualifications of the person who prepared the technical or professional report or material. (3) An application is not complete until all of the applicable information required under subsection (1) has been provided to the satisfaction of the Stewardship Minister. Delivery of application 14 (1) Subject to subsection (2), an application must be delivered by personal service, registered mail or courier to the Stewardship Minister at the address designated by the stewardship commissioner. (2) An application may be delivered by fax or other electronic means, but the application is not considered to be received unless the Stewardship Minister acknowledges receipt of the application. Combining applications 15 If the Stewardship Minister has received 2 or more applications, the Stewardship Minister may combine some or all of the applications and review those applications concurrently. Application temporarily suspends operation of a restriction, limitation or requirement 16 An application suspends, in respect of the applicant, the operation of the restriction, limitation or requirement to which the application pertains until a decision is made under section 19. Additional information 17 (1) The Stewardship Minister may in the course of reviewing an application require the applicant to provide additional information or documents to support the application within the time set by the Stewardship Minister. (2) The Stewardship Minister may refuse to make a decision on the application if the applicant has failed or refused to provide additional information or documents when requested to do so under subsection (1). Advisory panel 18 (1) In determining whether to approve an application, the Stewardship Minister may by order establish an advisory panel, which must review the application and make recommendations to the Stewardship Minister as it considers appropriate. (2) The Stewardship Minister may, with respect to an advisory panel established under subsection (1), (a) appoint or provide for the appointment of its members, (b) designate a chair, (c) authorize, fix or provide for the payment of expenses to its members and remuneration to its members who are not employees of the Government, (d) prescribe the number of members of the advisory panel that constitutes a quorum, (e) prescribe timelines for the delivery of its recommendations, and (f) establish rules for the conduct of its proceedings. (3) Before making a decision on the application, the Stewardship Minister shall consider, but is not bound by, any recommendations of the advisory panel. Decision 19 (1) If the Stewardship Minister approves an application, the Stewardship Minister shall provide the applicant with a copy of the variance order. (2) If the Stewardship Minister refuses to approve an application, the Stewardship Minister shall provide the applicant with a copy of the Stewardship Minister’s decision with reasons. Withdrawal of application 20 If an applicant wishes to withdraw an application before the Stewardship Minister makes a decision, the applicant shall send or deliver a written notice to the Stewardship Minister to that effect. Variance order 21 A variance order (a) is effective on the date of signing unless another date is specified in the order, and (b) may rescind a previous variance order in respect of the same land area or land use. Availability of applications and variance orders 22 (1) A copy of each complete application must be posted in its entirety on the secretariat’s website as soon as practicable after it is received. (2) A copy of each variance order must be posted on the secretariat’s website and made publicly available not more than 30 days after the variance is granted. Part 3 Regional Plan Compensation Definitions 23 In this Part, (a) “applicant” means (i) with respect to an application under Division 1, a title holder described in section 38(1) of the Act, or (ii) with respect to an application under Division 2, a registered owner described in section 19.1(2) of the Act; (b) “application” means an application under Division 1 or Division 2, as the case may be; (c) “Compensation Board” means (i) in respect of land other than settlement patented land, the Land and Property Rights Tribunal, and (ii) in respect of settlement patented land, the Metis Settlements Appeal Tribunal Land Access Panel established under section 186(1) of the Metis Settlements Act . AR 179/2021 s23;139/2021 Application of Part 24 (1) Division 1 applies to the determination of compensation under Part 3, Division 3 of the Act. (2) Division 2 applies to the determination of compensation under section 19.1 of the Act. Division 1 Conservation Directive Compensation Application for compensation 25 (1) Before applying to the Compensation Board or the Court of King’s Bench for compensation under Part 3, Division 3 of the Act, an applicant must submit an application to the Stewardship Minister. (2) An application must be in a form approved by the Stewardship Minister and must (a) contain the following information: (i) the name and address of the applicant and, if the applicant is a corporation, society or other body corporate, the name of the chief executive officer of the applicant; (ii) if the applicant is appointing a person to represent the applicant with respect to the application, the name and the contact information of the person; (iii) the address in Alberta to which notices or other communications with respect to the application may be sent; (iv) the legal description, or other form of description acceptable to the Stewardship Minister, of the land area that is the subject of the application; (v) the amount of compensation the applicant is seeking, and (b) be accompanied with (i) a copy of the notice of the conservation directive provided to the applicant under section 38 of the Act, and (ii) any documents and other information to support the claim for compensation. (3) If an application includes a technical or professional report or material of a technical or professional nature, the application must set out the qualifications of the person who prepared the technical or professional report or material. (4) An application is not complete until all of the applicable information required by subsection (2) has been provided to the satisfaction of the Stewardship Minister. AR 179/2011 s25;218/2022 Delivery of application 26 (1) Subject to subsection (2), an application must be delivered by personal service, registered mail or courier to the Stewardship Minister at the address designated by the stewardship commissioner. (2) An application may be delivered by fax or other electronic means, but the application is not considered to be received unless the Stewardship Minister acknowledges receipt of the application. Combining applications 27 If the Stewardship Minister has received 2 or more applications, the Stewardship Minister may combine some or all of those applications and review them concurrently. Additional information 28 (1) The Stewardship Minister may, in the course of reviewing an application, require the applicant to provide additional information or documents to support the application within the time set by the Stewardship Minister. (2) The Stewardship Minister may refuse to make a decision on the application if the applicant has failed or refused to provide additional information or documents when requested to do so under subsection (1). Decision on compensation 29 (1) Unless subsection (2) or section 30 applies, the Stewardship Minister shall determine (a) whether the applicant is entitled to compensation, and (b) if the applicant is entitled to compensation, the amount of any compensation payable. (2) The Stewardship Minister may at any time, with notice in writing to the applicant, refer an application to the Compensation Board. (3) Notwithstanding that the Stewardship Minister has referred an application to the Compensation Board, the applicant may apply to the Court of King’s Bench for the determination of the compensation, but the applicant shall notify the Stewardship Minister and the Compensation Board of the application to the Court. (4) The decision of the Stewardship Minister under this section, with reasons for that decision, must be provided to the applicant in writing. AR 179/2011 s29;218/2022 Application to Compensation Board or Court 30 (1) If the applicant does not agree with a decision of the Stewardship Minister in respect of a refusal under section 28(2) or of an entitlement to, or the amount of, compensation under section 29(1), the applicant may apply to the Compensation Board or the Court of King’s Bench for the determination. (2) If an application is made to the Land and Property Rights Tribunal pursuant to subsection (1) or a referral is made to the Land and Property Rights Tribunal pursuant to section 29, the Expropriation Act and the regulations made under it respecting the determination of compensation, hearings and procedures, including interest and costs, apply to the application. (3) If an application is made to the Metis Settlements Appeal Tribunal Land Access Panel pursuant to subsection (1) or a referral is made to the Metis Settlements Appeal Tribunal Land Access Panel pursuant to section 29, Part 7 of the Metis Settlements Act and the regulations made under that Act respecting the determination of compensation, hearings and procedures, including interest and costs, apply to the application. AR 179/2011 s30;139/2021;218/2022 Appeal to Court of Appeal 31 The applicant or the Stewardship Minister may, within 30 days after receiving notice of a determination of the Compensation Board, appeal the determination to the Court of Appeal. Withdrawal of application 32 If an applicant wishes to withdraw an application before the Stewardship Minister makes a decision, the applicant shall send or deliver a written notice to the Stewardship Minister to that effect. Division 2 Compensable Taking Compensation Application in respect of compensable taking 33 (1) An applicant who has suffered a compensable taking under the Act may, in accordance with this Division, submit an application. (2) An application must be in a form approved by the Stewardship Minister and must (a) contain the following information: (i) the name and address of the applicant and, if the applicant is a corporation, society or other body corporate, the name of the chief executive officer of the applicant; (ii) if the applicant is appointing a person to represent the applicant with respect to the application, the name and the contact information of the person; (iii) the address in Alberta to which notices or other communications with respect to the application may be sent; (iv) the legal description, or other form of description acceptable to the Stewardship Minister, of the land area that is the subject of the application; (v) identification of the specific provision of the regional plan, or an amendment to the regional plan, that the applicant believes has caused the applicant to suffer a compensable taking; (vi) an explanation of how the specific provision identified in subclause (v) has caused the applicant to suffer a compensable taking; (vii) the amount of compensation the applicant is seeking, and (b) be accompanied with any documents and other information to support the claim for compensation. (3) If an application includes a technical or professional report, or material of a technical or professional nature, the application must set out the qualifications of the person who prepared the technical or professional report or material. (4) An application is not complete until all of the applicable information required by subsection (2) has been provided to the satisfaction of the Stewardship Minister. Advisory panel 34 (1) In determining whether to approve an application, the Stewardship Minister may by order establish an advisory panel, which must review the application and make recommendations as it considers appropriate. (2) The Stewardship Minister may, with respect to an advisory panel established under subsection (1), (a) appoint or provide for the appointment of its members, (b) designate a chair, (c) authorize, fix or provide for the payment of expenses to its members and remuneration to its members who are not employees of the Government, (d) prescribe the number of members of the advisory panel that constitutes a quorum, (e) prescribe timelines for the delivery of its report and recommendations, and (f) establish rules for the conduct of its proceedings. (3) Before making a decision on the application, the Stewardship Minister shall consider, but is not bound by, any recommendations of the advisory panel. Application of Act and Division 1 35 (1) For the purpose of applying for and the determination of compensation under this Division, (a) section 43(1)(b), (c), (g) and (h) of the Act apply, and (b) subject to subsection (2), sections 26 to 32 of this Regulation apply. (2) An application to the Compensation Board or the Court of King’s Bench under section 30(1) in respect of an application under this Division must be made within 2 years after the decision of the Stewardship Minister is received by the applicant under section 29(4). AR 179/2011 s35/218/2022 Part 4 Expiry and Coming into Force 36 Repealed AR 114/2016 s2. Coming into force 37 This Regulation comes into force on September 1, 2011.