Willmore Wilderness Park. ID 39416471 © Stephan Pietzko | Dreamstime.com

By Curtis Galbraith

Land Use Discussion

Province seeking public input on land use in Upper Smoky area

Mar 25, 2025 | 4:04 PM

The province says it has come up with what it calls, a draft sub-regional plan for the Upper Smoky area, and is now inviting the public to share ideas on future land use in that area.

The government says “the sub-region is 1,321,590 hectares (13,216 km2) roughly two per cent of Alberta,” located south of Grande Prairie and takes in Grande Cache, Kakwa Wildland Park and part of the Willmore Wilderness Park

The government says in a release that these plans can cover things development for energy, forestry, agriculture and tourism. It can also cover recreation and conservation.

The document does include ideas to restore caribou habitat.

That release says this draft plan was put together after consultation with people who live in the area, industry and municipal governments, among others.

The province adds that an online survey will start March 27. There will also be public open houses April 23 in Grande Prairie and April 30 in Grande Cache.

Public webinars will take place on April 16 and May 6.