Lakelanders are being asked to review and provide feedback on the draft South Athabasca Sub-Regional Plan, which would guide land use and development across approximately 38,800 square kilometres of northeastern Alberta.

The South Athabasca sub-region is located south of Fort McMurray and includes the Lakeland communities of Cold Lake and Lac La Biche. The area overlaps lands covered by Treaty 6, Treaty 8 and Treaty 10 and supports a mix of land uses, including energy, forestry, agriculture, tourism and recreation, alongside Indigenous Treaty rights and traditional land use.

According to the province, the draft plan was developed through engagement with Indigenous communities, municipalities, industry and other stakeholders. It outlines proposed conservation areas, supports woodland caribou habitat restoration, and provides direction for activities such as grazing, forestry, recreation and energy development.

Geographically, the region is bordered by the Clearwater and Athabasca rivers to the north and west, the Beaver River to the south, and Saskatchewan to the east. It includes major areas such as the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range, Gipsy-Gordon Wildland Provincial Park, and Dillon River Wildland Provincial Park.

Public engagement opens Jan. 9 and runs until April 9. Feedback collected during this period will be used to finalize the plan, which is intended to balance economic development, conservation and long-term community sustainability.

Once approved, the South Athabasca Sub-Regional Plan would replace the existing Cold Lake Sub-Regional Plan and its associated regulations.