Province announces new Upper Smoky Sub-Regional plan

Nov 6, 2025 | 6:00 AM

The province has unveiled its new plan for managing 13,000 square kilometres of land between Grande Prairie and Grande Cache.

The government says the Upper Smoky Sub-Regional plan will “guide conservation and economic activity.”

The plan breaks down the area into three zones.

The Nature First zone includes 2,200 square kilometres where there is virtually no industrial development.

The Slow Go zone would cover 5,113 square kilometres. A release from the province says there would be some development allowed, but there would be restrictions. There will be a new Public Land Use Zone near Grande Cache for tourism and recreation.

The other 4,928 square kilometres would be considered a Go zone where all developments would be allowed. The province specifically mentioned grazing and recreation.

The government says two proposed conservation areas would cover 3,200 square kilometres.

There are also targets for restoring inactive wells and seismic lines in caribou habitat.

The new rules start January 1, 2026. A fire mitigation plan is supposed to be finished within 60 days of the new plan going into effect.

A draft version of this plan was announced in March 2025. Public and online consultations followed.

by Curtis Galbraith