Lesser Slave Lake Sustainable Development Study

Final Draft PresentationDate: June 24th,

2015

The aim was: to identify, evaluate and propose solutions for the lake sustainable tourism development and/or other opportunities

Objectives were:(1) provide historical trends and major influences (2) undertake an independent study on current Lesser Slave Lake Development initiatives(3) evaluate the lake capacity for the further development & provide recommendations for the lake future development

Aim and Objectives

Limitations It is important to note that this study tried to include as many lake users and interested parties as possible. However, due to the lack of time and, in some cased, lack of access to some of the information and inability to meet face to face with First Nation representatives, the following Study Limitations should be noted: 

• Very limited First Nations data was included in this study, either in the primary or secondary research data

• The study was designed to show an overall picture of the LSL Sustainable Development for the region and does not stress every important aspect in details

• The study does not diminish expert advices that are given or might be given in the future by ESRD, DFO or any other professional body. Each and every one of them needs to be consulted prior any significant changes or improvements are to take place

HISTORICAL TRENDS underlined the following:

• Population growth in the region cannot be considered an economic variable with only an average of 0.038% annual growth which rises the need to attract newcomers to the region

• Income is growing steadily, however, the margin for improvement lays in trying to boost the income of more than 57% (average) of people earning less than $40,000 a year

• The Town of Slave Lake and the Municipal District (MD) of Lesser Slave River (LSR) have slightly better diversification of their economy compared to the Town of High Prairie and Big Lakes County (BLC)

Tourism is one of the tools that can be used by rural communities to counteract the decline in economic activity experienced in more traditional industries.

Northern and central Alberta are frequently visited for lakeside camping.

People are keen on:

• small communities• images associated with farming• water bodies and lakes• camping and slower pace of life

Analysis of the LSL Tourism emphasized the following points:

• Need for a single, consolidated source of information

• Essential information gathering and analysis of the local visitor numbers, expenditure and interest are needed

• Need for a development of the public beach on the west side of the lake

• More options with regards to Cabins, Hotels, B&Bs with the possibility to develop to target visitors and travellers that prefer more “luxury” accommodation and facilities rather than camping

• Guided water sport activities on the lake and more options for rental and diversity of water recreation

• Possibility of Golf course development on the north or west side away from the lake within an hour or so travel distance

• Better marketing, printed and online materials for the local events, museums and cultural retreats

• Attracting seasonal or permanent businesses to provide good quality catering options, especially during the peak summer season

Analysis of three other lake destinations presented valuable evidence of the importance of the future tourism strategies.

Continuing...

LAKE MANAGEMENT stressed the following concepts:

• The LSL is one of the biggest assets for the region and require a long term lake management plan and demands the development of integrated approaches

• Importance of the collaborative approach that has three interpretations: (1) the systematic management of the various dimensions of the lake water – ground water, surface water, quantity and quality; (2) the management of the lake and its interactions with other systems – land and the environment; and (3) the management of the lake and its interactions with the social and economic environment – a sustainability approach

• Rules and regulation are closely correlate together and intertwine

• Upstream agricultural and industrial practices can have an enormous impact on lake quality, often far greater than that of the immediate lake users

• Very strong environmental oriented presence, a need for a better focus on economic concepts of the communities’ growth and ability to promote and market the resources available in the region

Continuing...

ALSC ALMS ASVA DUC LSFES LSWC Nature Alberta SARDA ESRD DFO RFAC (Provide: Education Information Research/

Studies)

CFLSL LSLEA LSLIRC RFAC Municipalities Private Land Developers (Provide: Diversification Collaboration Communication)

Ministry of Culture and Tourism Municipalities Private Land Developers (LSLRT no longer operational)

Environment

More than 80

km

Marketing

Economic

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES highlights that

• Recreation facilities are somewhat limited in the area and propose a broader approach.

• The lack of public access to the lake confirms the need for public beach development

• Private and residential development opportunities that are available in Grouard have a great potential, especially after the new hospital in High Prairie opens.

Contemporary strategy to strengthen the LSL local economy.

Its steps are:

• Place-Based Development which focuses on distinct location characteristics such as cultural heritage, natural resources and the lake by marketing the destination(s) (ex. images of peaceful country-side, wilderness experience)

• Economic Gardening which promotes entrepreneurship and new ventures that help foster continuous and self-sustaining economic activity

• Cultivating Creativity and Talent that concentrates on the presence of arts and culture that the rural community can benefit from (ex. providing cultural retreats, training in crafts, designs, drawing etc.)

Analysis of the LSL Management for Recreation and Tourism stresses the need of the following management practises:

• Phasing tourism use in time (clear understanding of when and to what extend the lake is used by visitors and local communities)

• Zoning lake use in space (designating specific areas for the recreation and tourism activities and leaving other areas to their natural state)

• Stakeholder conflict resolution (includes private owners, federal and provincial government, First Nations, municipalities and communities)

• lake user conflict resolution (includes private owners, federal and provincial government, First Nations, municipalities, communities and visitors)

• Codes of conduct for lake users

• Community based planning and management

• and Planning regulations (include setback regulations that determine the distance from the lakeshore to recreation/tourism development)

Continuing...

Priority 1.

Collaboration that is achieved through creating of Inter-Municipal Planning Commission (IMPC) with Collaboration Pyramid Structure

Recommendations

Federal Government

Provincial Government

Municipalities

Towns

First Nations

Métis Settlements

Non-profit organizations

Chambers of commerce

“Build

ing b

lock

s"

Collaboration Pyramid

Priority 2.

Regional Lake Management Plan that has the following components: Development StrategiesDevelopment Focus Environmental ApproachAnd its vision incorporate Seven Principals detailed by World Lake Vision

Recommendations

Long-term Wider, broader

view Realistic Local communities’

decision Collaboration Communication Clarity

Standardise guidelines

Protection of the resources

Site specific Dependant on

many variables Monitoring Enforcement

Balanced approach

Limited environmental impact

Initiative - need for champion

Restrictions Awareness

Quality of life Growth Stability

Development

Planned Focused Sustainable Diversified

LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Development Strategies

Public beach(es) Access to

waterfront, Parking Marinas

Hiking trails (ex. Northern

trail) Mountain bike trails Cross country skiing Snow-shoeing Wilderness experience Recreational boating Riverboat etc.

Housing Roads Sidewalks

Regional water expansion Sanitary sewer system treatment

Drinking water Expansion of rural water service

Waste disposal Electricity Improvement of the communication network,

Cell phones and Internet

Campgrounds RV parks Cabin Hotels B&B Restaurants Fresh caught fish Stores, Golf course(s) Interpretive programs (signage)

Development Focus

Environmental Approach

Seven principles detailed in World Lake Vision are :  Principle 1: A harmonious relationship between humans and nature is essential for the sustainable use of lakes.Principle 2: A lake drainage basin is the logical starting point for planning and management actions for sustainable lake use.Principle 3: A long-term, preventive approach directed to preventing the causes of lake degradation is essential.Principle 4: Policy development and decision making for lake management should be based on sound science and the best available information.Principle 5: The management of lakes for their sustainable use requires the resolution of conflicts among competing users of lake resources, taking into account the needs of present and future generations and of nature.Principle 6: Citizens and other stakeholders should be encouraged to participate meaningfully in identifying and resolving critical lake problems.Principle 7: Good governance, based on fairness, transparency and empowerment of all stakeholders, is essential for sustainable lake use.

Priority 3.

Supporting Entrepreneurs, Businesses and Investors - support and invest into the small and medium entrepreneurial businesses in the area.

Recommendations

Priority 4.

Marketing and promoting the region on provincial, federal and international level, ex.:

• The GoA Marketing Support• The Northern Lakes College• Conferences• Vibrant website

Recommendations

Priority 5.

Diversification of Local Economy that can be achieve through correlation of difference industries. ex.:

• Agritourism• Tourism• Heritage Trails

Recommendations

Priority 6.

Sustainable Tourism Strategies for the LSL region that embrace tourism management practise and integrate a road map provided by model of Sustainable Wellbeing Destination

Recommendations

Model of Sustainable Wellbeing Destination

STAGE 1. Establishment of Inter-Municipal Planning Commission (IMPC) with Collaboration Approach

  STAGE 2. Development of the Regional Lesser Slave

Lake Management Plan; and Sustainable Tourism Development Strategies for the region

STAGE 3. Creation of different programs and support for the local businesses and entrepreneurs; marketing initiatives; and advocating and promoting diversification

THREE STAGE APPROACH

Thank you for your patience

Any Questions or Comments?

Contact: Ganna SamoylenkoEmail: ganna.samoylenko@yahoo.cac.: 1 780 887 44 76