LAT Overview

About the Landscape Analysis Tool (LAT)

The Landscape Analysis Tool (LAT) is a web-enabled geo-spatial mapping tool that identifies base and sensitive landscape features and how they interact with a proposed land location and activity being considered on Alberta Government Public Land. It provides users the ability to view and map their proposed project and generate a LAT report required for all Alberta public land disposition applications.

LAT uses approximately sixty data layers, divided into 2 categories:

1. Base Map Layers – This is a generalized view of key data layers that provide a background setting for the map. This presents the user with details at the provincial extent to help orient to the specific locations.
2. Operational Layers – These layers provide specific context and detail of key data layers that can be turned on or off. Some of these layers pertain to the report processing logic of a user's proposed activities.

The specific and applicable approval standards and operating conditions associated with a disposition application are identified on a valid LAT report.

The LAT User Guide and LAT Activity Code Table are available:

• Electronic Disposition System

Accessing and using LAT

The LAT can be accessed at:

• https://geospatial.alberta.ca/LAT

Using the LAT for pre-planning

Users are able to navigate through the LAT for their planning needs. The LAT provides users the ability create a proposed project shapefile or upload a proposed project shapefile to determine the sensitivities and conditions associated with a project location and / or activity. The LAT allows users to identify areas of concern and make planning and location adjustments.

A LAT report can be generated at any time and as often as desired to support decision making relative to proposed projects. A unique LAT report number is generated with each LAT report. Once an applicant submits a request to generate a LAT report they may close the web browser without losing the report. When the system has generated the LAT report, the applicant will receive two emails; the first being an acknowledgement that a LAT Report Request was received. The second email contains two attachments which corresponds to the LAT report(s) and a copy of the Proposed Activity (shapefile) uploaded to the LAT viewer.

Generating a LAT report does not obligate the applicant to make a submission to the Alberta government immediately. An applicant will have no more than 120 days from the date the LAT report was generated to upload it in support of a Public Land Disposition Application or Amendment in the Electronic Disposition System.

LAT reports

A completed LAT report will assess the proposed activity / project relative to what is important to Albertans for managing public land as defined in:

• Master Schedule of Standards and Conditions

This document defines land management requirements that must be met by a disposition management application. Each LAT Report consists of the following items.

1. LAT Number – an identification number for an individual project is automatically generated for each LAT report. The LAT number is associated with the project as it moves through the disposition management application process, and is used when obtaining consent from other land users.
2. LAT Date and Time - a date and time stamp is automatically generated for each LAT report to ensure the application is based on the LAT version used to generate the LAT report.
3. Project Name and Description - a specific project title and description created by the applicant to track the project within their organization.
4. Disposition and Purpose Type - the proposed disposition and purpose type selected by the applicant that directs the LAT system to select the appropriate approval standards and operating conditions associated with the proposed project location.
5. Responsibility of Applicants– provides direction to applicants on routine/non-routine decisions, overlapping approval standards and operating conditions, and a LAT disclaimer pertaining to the requirement for ground truthing to ensure that all approval standards and operating conditions can be maintained throughout project site operations.
6. Base / Sensitive Feature Analysis – the analysis summarizes where an activity intersects a geo-spatial layer. The results are limited to naming the layer intersected or indicating, by yes or no, if the layer was intersected.
7. Summary of Affected Sensitivities by Quarter Section - lists the project by quarter section and identifies the sensitivities at that location. This allows applicants to view the sensitivities that exist and provides an opportunity to alter or change the proposed project to avoid sensitivities.
8. Site Project Map - a geo-spatial representation of the proposed project designed to serve as a reference for companies as they plan additional projects. The site project map shows a North arrow and a legend.
9. Approval Standards and Operating Conditions - a list of the approval standards and operating conditions, sorted out by classifications that directly link to the data layers being intersected. All approval standards listed in the LAT report must be adhered to unless a non-routine application is being submitted. The operating conditions must be adhered to regardless if routine or non-routine submission stream is selected. The approval standards and operating conditions identified in the LAT report form part of the disposition document terms and conditions.

Meeting all regulatory requirements

The LAT Report is required as part of any Alberta public land disposition application submission. Applicants are legally responsible for ensuring they meet all other regulatory requirements, including contacting the holders of all reservations and notations to ensure the proposed activity is permitted.

Due to issues with referencing legal breaks and boundaries of water bodies and water courses, the LAT does not specifically define these boundaries and applicants may need to confirm these boundaries with the Water Boundaries Unit of the Department. The beds and shores of water bodies located on private land are also considered to be Crown-owned if they are permanent bodies of water. Typically these bodies of water are lakes and permanent wetlands. For more information see:

• Shoreland

If wetland may be impacted by the proposed project, additional documentation may need to be prepared. For more information refer to:

• Alberta Wetland Policy Implementation