Grande Prairie residents can weigh in on the province’s draft caribou range plan in person Thursday. A public information meeting is being held at the Elks Lodge on 106 Street from 3 to 8 p.m.
The Alberta government released its draft protection plan in December 2017, with a finalized one expected by this spring. In the document, it was noted that communities like the City and County of Grande Prairie, MD of Greenview, and Town of Grande Cache are highly dependent on natural resources and could be both negatively and positively impacted.
The local forestry industry has also been vocal about their concerns, with Weyerhaeuser warning the current plan could put future investments in the Grande Prairie region at risk. Their main concern is with the federal government’s requirement that reduce how much of their range is considered “disturbed” from around 80 per cent to 35.
Local and provincial officials have encouraged anyone with thoughts or concerns to attend the meeting or give their feedback online. Wednesday’s meeting is the last one planned for this stage.