Zone-Wide Environmental and Socio-Economic Study in the Industrial Heartland Designated Industrial Zone

The goal of the IH DIZ project is to create a streamlined regulatory framework for the Industrial Heartland of Alberta that will stimulate the economy of the region and create jobs while ensuring that environmental outcomes are achieved. To support the IH DIZ pilot project, EPA would like to complete a Zone-wide Environmental and Socio-economic Study of the IH DIZ region to assess baseline conditions for valued components to improve the understanding of environmental conditions including the quantification and management of regional cumulative effects. Ultimately, the desire is to create regulatory efficiency benefits through collecting and sharing important baseline information to support the development and review of provincial and federal environmental impact assessments, and review of regulatory applications, in the IH DIZ. Specific to the IH DIZ, the core objectives of a Zone-wide Study are focused around environmental, socio-economic, and regulatory efficiency benefits.