A map of the southeast Alberta released by the Alberta Utilities commission outlines a buffer zone (in red line) were viewscape analysis would be required for new and areas of Class 2 soil, in which ag productivity could become a factor in regulatory process.--Supplied
@MedicineHatNews
Cypress County has enough Class 2 soil to avoid the need to protect Class 3 land when regulators consider approving new wind and solar power facilities.
But neighbouring municipalities do fall under the new regulation requiring greater protection of mid-range land that triggers the need for agricultural productivity study.
Those were promised last spring as the province ended a moratorium on new renewable power approvals until the effect of land base required for solar panel arrays could be weighed against the value of cultivated or grazing land.
Regardless of location, all potential large solar sites featuring Classes 1 and 2 soil type will be subject to the analysis. Developers will have to explain how the large wind and solar installations could co-exist with food production, either crops or livestock grazing, and report their results after construction.
Those regulations also expand the definition of top-rated soil in areas where there is little Class 1 or 2 soil to also include Class 3.
A schedule of rural municipalities where Class 3 becomes the standard includes the County of Newell, County of Forty Mile, the Municipal District of Taber and Special Areas No. 3 (surrounding Oyen).
Eight other jurisdictions are in northern or central Alberta, as well as the M.D. of Ranchland (west of Fort Macleod) and the Improvement District No. 4 (Waterton).
An irrigation suitability report could also be required from proposals located in virtually all non-forested areas of the province.
That could involve examination of water availability, proximity to irrigation infrastructure, economic analysis and an opinion from a relevant irrigation district.
