Skip to main content

Bulletin 2023-42

Change to Survey Plan Requirements for Public Lands Act Dispositions

Release Date

Alberta Forestry and Parks has revised the Public Lands Administration Regulation (PLAR) Table A2: Alberta Energy Regulator (AER); see PLAR Table A2: AER PLAR Dispositions (latest edition). The requirement for a survey plan for many dispositions has been replaced with either a sketch plan or the new “surveyor sketch” plan type.

An Alberta land surveyor must prepare and certify a “surveyor sketch” plan to verify the location accuracy of the disposition; placing survey pins in the ground would not be required.

Furthermore, “Final Plan Requirements” have been replaced with “Plan Requirements” in the PLAR tables, allowing applicants to submit required survey or surveyor sketch plans at any time, including at the time of application or after construction of the activity.

Despite these changes, the AER retains its authority to require a survey plan at any time under section 23 of the Public Lands Act. A survey may be necessary for higher-risk activities involving buried subsurface structures, power lines, or activities involving hazardous materials. 

If you have any questions, contact our Customer Contact Centre by phone at 1-855-297-8311 or by email at inquiries@aer.ca.