Photo: Curtis Galbraith / EverythingGP staff

By Curtis Galbraith

County of Grande Prairie

County of Grande Prairie looking to update Wapiti Corridor Multi-Use Plan

Sep 17, 2021 | 6:02 AM

County of Grande Prairie Council has directed administration to update the Wapiti Corridor Multi-Use plan.

This would cover public land between Bear Creek and Pipestone Creek that is not occupied.

Reeve Leanne Beaupre says a previous plan had been sent to the province for approval, but the province did not approve it because of some opposition.

“We are going to try to close the loop on some of these projects that we had and have had for many terms. Council asked administration to contact the government again and find out where that land use plan was and whether they were going to be implementing it and giving it its own action plan.”

Beaupre says Alberta Environment and Parks has shown interest in a new plan as well. It has a new group that is involved in what is termed sub-regional planning.

She adds this is meant to be a multi-use plan covering recreation and things like businesses that are already in the area.

“It continues to see more and more of those activities happening and so we want to make sure that land use planning that happens in that area is done in accordance to what is already existing and what will happen in the future,” said Beaupre.

“We want to make sure everything is compatible so that there are not any issues when there are people trying to recreate or businesses trying to continue their operations in the area.”

Council also directed administration to consult with the City of Grande Prairie about the plan.

Beaupre says public consultations would be part of the process.

“As we get more information from the province on the organization that will be looking after the sub-regional plan, part of their commitment and our commitment to the ratepayers in the area, is public consultations,” said Beaupre.

“We’ll know more in the future what direction everything is going to be going.”

Beaupre says there are no timelines yet for when a new plan will be completed.