EDMONTON - Alberta Sustainable Resource Development's 2001-02 annual report, released today, shows the Alberta government's leadership in managing provincial lands, forests, fish and wildlife for long-term benefit.

"Our government remains committed to carefully managing Alberta's resources in a sustainable way," said Mike Cardinal, Minister of Sustainable Resource Development. "We make sure that economic development is balanced with the wise management of our renewable natural resources, and we work to minimize the footprint of development on Alberta's environment."

Sustainable Resource Development was established in March 2001 to place a greater government emphasis on the sustainability of Alberta's renewable natural resources. The ministry faced significant challenges in its inaugural year, including those presented by wildfire, drought, U.S. countervailing duties on softwood lumber and economic development in the province.

Some highlights of the annual report include:

* Fighting more than 950 wildfires during Alberta's longest fire season on record.

* Developing fire control agreements with communities and industry and working co-operatively to reduce the risk and severity of wildfires.

* Creating a plan for Improving Alberta's Fisheries to address fishing pressure and recover healthy fish stocks.

* Investigating the activities of nearly 116,000 hunters and anglers during regular conservation officer patrols.

* Supporting the Alberta government team and working with industry and the federal and provincial governments on the Canada-U.S. softwood lumber trade dispute.

* Adjusting rangeland management practices during drought to better manage provincial land for long-term benefit.

* Consulting with Albertans to meet the challenges of multiple land use and weighing the economic, environmental and social values of provincial land and resources.

* Negotiating forest management agreements to detail the annual allowable cut for specific areas and the responsibilities of forest management companies for management and reforestation.

* Expanding the operations of the Natural Resources Conservation Board to effectively meet its new responsibilities for confined feeding operations.

Copies of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development's 2001-02 annual report are available from the department's Information Centre in Edmonton (ph. 780, 422-2079) - dial toll-free by first calling 310-0000. The report is also accessible online at http://www3.gov.ab.ca/srd/about/index.html

Media contact:

Susan McManus
Communications
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
Edmonton
(780) 427-8636