1. Lesser Slave Lake
Sustainable Development Study
Final Draft Presentation
Date: June 24th, 2015

2.  The aim was:
to identify, evaluate and propose solutions for the lake
sustainable tourism development and/or other
opportunities
 Objectives were:
(1) provide historical trends and major influences
(2) undertake an independent study on current Lesser Slave
Lake Development initiatives
(3) evaluate the lake capacity for the further development &
provide recommendations for the lake future development
Aim and Objectives

3. Limitations
It is important to note that this study tried to include as many lake users and interested
parties as possible. However, due to the lack of time and, in some cased, lack of access
to some of the information and inability to meet face to face with First Nation
representatives, the following Study Limitations should be noted:
•Very limited First Nations data was included in this study, either in the primary or
secondary research data
•The study was designed to show an overall picture of the LSL Sustainable
Development for the region and does not stress every important aspect in details
•The study does not diminish expert advices that are given or might be given in
the future by ESRD, DFO or any other professional body. Each and every one of
them needs to be consulted prior any significant changes or improvements are to
take place

4. HISTORICAL TRENDS underlined the following:
• Population growth in the region cannot be considered an economic variable
with only an average of 0.038% annual growth which rises the need to attract
newcomers to the region
• Income is growing steadily, however, the margin for improvement lays in
trying to boost the income of more than 57% (average) of people earning less
than $40,000 a year
• The Town of Slave Lake and the Municipal District (MD) of Lesser Slave River
(LSR) have slightly better diversification of their economy compared to the
Town of High Prairie and Big Lakes County (BLC)

5. Tourism is one of the tools that can be used by rural communities to
counteract the decline in economic activity experienced in more traditional
industries.
Northern and central Alberta are frequently visited for lakeside camping.
People are keen on:
• small communities
• images associated with farming
• water bodies and lakes
• camping and slower pace of life

6. Analysis of the LSL Tourism emphasized the following points:
• Need for a single, consolidated source of information
• Essential information gathering and analysis of the local visitor numbers,
expenditure and interest are needed
• Need for a development of the public beach on the west side of the lake
• More options with regards to Cabins, Hotels, B&Bs with the possibility to develop
to target visitors and travellers that prefer more “luxury” accommodation and
facilities rather than camping
• Guided water sport activities on the lake and more options for rental and
diversity of water recreation

7. • Possibility of Golf course development on the north or west side away from the
lake within an hour or so travel distance
•Better marketing, printed and online materials for the local events, museums and
cultural retreats
• Attracting seasonal or permanent businesses to provide good quality catering
options, especially during the peak summer season
Analysis of three other lake destinations presented valuable evidence of the
importance of the future tourism strategies.
Continuing...

8. LAKE MANAGEMENT stressed the following concepts:
• The LSL is one of the biggest assets for the region and require a long term lake
management plan and demands the development of integrated approaches
• Importance of the collaborative approach that has three interpretations: (1) the
systematic management of the various dimensions of the lake water – ground
water, surface water, quantity and quality; (2) the management of the lake and its
interactions with other systems – land and the environment; and (3) the
management of the lake and its interactions with the social and economic
environment – a sustainability approach
• Rules and regulation are closely correlate together and intertwine
• Upstream agricultural and industrial practices can have an enormous impact on
lake quality, often far greater than that of the immediate lake users

9. • Very strong environmental oriented presence, a need for a better focus on economic
concepts of the communities’ growth and ability to promote and market the resources
available in the region
Continuing...

10. FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES highlights that
• Recreation facilities are somewhat limited in the area and propose a broader
approach.
• The lack of public access to the lake confirms the need for public beach development
• Private and residential development opportunities that are available in Grouard have a
great potential, especially after the new hospital in High Prairie opens.

11. Contemporary strategy to strengthen the LSL local economy.
Its steps are:
• Place-Based Development which focuses on distinct location characteristics such
as cultural heritage, natural resources and the lake by marketing the
destination(s) (ex. images of peaceful country-side, wilderness experience)
• Economic Gardening which promotes entrepreneurship and new ventures that
help foster continuous and self-sustaining economic activity
• Cultivating Creativity and Talent that concentrates on the presence of arts and
culture that the rural community can benefit from (ex. providing cultural retreats,
training in crafts, designs, drawing etc.)

12. Analysis of the LSL Management for Recreation and Tourism stresses the need of the
following management practises:
• Phasing tourism use in time (clear understanding of when and to what extend the
lake is used by visitors and local communities)
• Zoning lake use in space (designating specific areas for the recreation and tourism
activities and leaving other areas to their natural state)
• Stakeholder conflict resolution (includes private owners, federal and provincial
government, First Nations, municipalities and communities)
• lake user conflict resolution (includes private owners, federal and provincial
government, First Nations, municipalities, communities and visitors)

13. • Codes of conduct for lake users
• Community based planning and management
•and Planning regulations (include setback regulations that determine the distance
from the lakeshore to recreation/tourism development)
Continuing...

14.  Priority 1.
Collaboration that is achieved through creating of
Inter-Municipal Planning Commission (IMPC) with
Collaboration Pyramid Structure
Recommendations

15. Federal
Government
Provincial
Government
Municipalities
Towns
First Nations
Métis Settlements
Non-profit
organizations
Chambers of
commerce
“Buildingblocks"
Collaboration Pyramid

16.  Priority 2.
Regional Lake Management Plan that has the following
components:
Development Strategies
Development Focus
Environmental Approach
And its vision incorporate Seven Principals detailed by
World Lake Vision
Recommendations

17.  Long-term
 Wider, broader
view
 Realistic
 Local communities’
decision
 Collaboration
 Communication
 Clarity
 Standardise
guidelines
 Protection of the
resources
 Site specific
 Dependant on
many variables
 Monitoring
 Enforcement
 Balanced
approach
 Limited
environmental
impact
 Initiative - need
for champion
 Restrictions
 Awareness
 Quality of life
 Growth
 Stability
Development
Planned Focused Sustainable Diversified
LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Development Strategies

18.  Public beach(es)
 Access to
waterfront,
 Parking
 Marinas
 Hiking trails (ex. Northern
trail)
 Mountain bike trails
 Cross country skiing
 Snow-shoeing
 Wilderness experience
 Recreational boating
 Riverboat etc.
Housing
Roads
Sidewalks
Regional water expansion
Sanitary sewer system
treatment
Drinking water
Expansion of rural water
service
Waste disposal
Electricity
Improvement of the
communication network,
Cell phones and Internet
Campgrounds
RV parks
Cabin
Hotels
B&B
Restaurants
Fresh caught fish
Stores,
Golf course(s)
Interpretive programs
(signage)
Development Focus

19. Environmental Approach

20. Seven principles detailed in World Lake Vision are :
Principle 1: A harmonious relationship between humans and nature is essential for
the sustainable use of lakes.
Principle 2: A lake drainage basin is the logical starting point for planning and
management actions for sustainable lake use.
Principle 3: A long-term, preventive approach directed to preventing the causes of
lake degradation is essential.
Principle 4: Policy development and decision making for lake management should
be based on sound science and the best available information.
Principle 5: The management of lakes for their sustainable use requires the
resolution of conflicts among competing users of lake resources, taking into
account the needs of present and future generations and of nature.
Principle 6: Citizens and other stakeholders should be encouraged to participate
meaningfully in identifying and resolving critical lake problems.
Principle 7: Good governance, based on fairness, transparency and empowerment
of all stakeholders, is essential for sustainable lake use.

21.  Priority 3.
Supporting Entrepreneurs, Businesses and Investors -
support and invest into the small and medium
entrepreneurial businesses in the area.
Recommendations

22.  Priority 4.
Marketing and promoting the region on provincial,
federal and international level, ex.:
• The GoA Marketing Support
• The Northern Lakes College
• Conferences
• Vibrant website
Recommendations

23.  Priority 5.
Diversification of Local Economy that can be achieve
through correlation of difference industries. ex.:
• Agritourism
• Tourism
• Heritage Trails
Recommendations

24.  Priority 6.
Sustainable Tourism Strategies for the LSL region that
embrace tourism management practise and integrate
a road map provided by model of Sustainable
Wellbeing Destination
Recommendations

25. Model of Sustainable
Wellbeing Destination

26.  STAGE 1. Establishment of Inter-Municipal Planning
Commission (IMPC) with Collaboration Approach
 STAGE 2. Development of the Regional Lesser Slave Lake
Management Plan; and Sustainable Tourism Development
Strategies for the region
 STAGE 3. Creation of different programs and support for
the local businesses and entrepreneurs; marketing
initiatives; and advocating and promoting diversification
THREE STAGE APPROACH

27. Thank you for your patience
Any Questions or Comments?
Contact: Ganna Samoylenko
Email: ganna.samoylenko@yahoo.ca
c.: 1 780 887 44 76