The Kananaskis Improvement District is divided into six main Land Use Districts. For a visual representation, please refer to the KID Land Use Districts Map.
Direct Control District
The purpose of the Direct Control Districts are to enable the Development Authority to exercise detailed and extensive control over the use and Development of land or Buildings within this District.
Ecological Reserve District
An Ecological Reserve is established under the Wilderness Act for the purpose of preserving unique public lands for ecological conservation and research. Land designated as a Reserve:
- is representative of a natural ecosystem in Alberta;
- contains areas that serve as an example of an ecosystem that has been modified by humans and that offers an opportunity to study the recovery of the ecosystem from that modification;
- contains rare or endangered native plants or animals that should be preserved;
- contains unique or rare examples of natural biological or physical features; and
- is suitable for scientific research associated with the studies of natural ecosystems.
The land use allowed in an Ecological Reserve District is determined by the Wilderness Act and the Recreation Policy.
Provincial Park District
A Provincial Park is established under the Parks Act for the purpose of:
- preserving the natural environment and protecting specified areas of geological, cultural, ecological or other scientific interest;
- conserving and managing flora and fauna; and
- facilitating outdoor recreation.
The land use allowed in a Provincial Park District is determined by the Parks Act, the Dispositions issued under that Act and the Recreation Policy.
Public Land District
Public lands are lands of the Crown. In KID, the Public Land District includes all Crown land that is not included in one of the other land use districts.
Development in the Public Land District shall adhere to the following priorities:
- maintenance of water quality, quantity and flow regime;
- provision of a wide range of recreational, leisure and tourism opportunities;
- maintenance of the abundance, diversity, distribution and recreational use of the fish and wildlife resource;
- provision for the management and Development of renewable and non-renewable natural resources, including range, energy, timber and fur resources;
- protection of historical and archaeological resources and protection of selected representative and unique areas of natural interest; and
- maintenance and encouragement of research, education and interpretation programs;
The land use allowed in a Public Land District is determined by the Public Lands Act, the Forest Act, the Dispositions issued under those Acts, the Recreation Policy and the Sub-Regional Integrated Resource Plan.
Recreation Area District
A Recreation Area District is established under the Parks Act for the purpose of facilitating outdoor recreation.
The land use allowed in a Recreation Area District is determined by the Parks Act, the Dispositions issued under that Act and the Recreation Policy.
Wildland Park
A Wildland Park is established by Order in Council for the purpose of:
- preserving the natural environment and critical ranges for sheep, elk, cougar, grizzly bear and mountain goats;
- providing opportunities for exploration of the wilderness heritage in an undisturbed state; and
- providing opportunities for backcountry recreational uses such as hiking, trail riding, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and camping, as well as guiding and outfitting commercial activities;
The land use allowed in a Wildland Park District is determined by the Order in Council establishing the Wildland Park, the Parks Act, the Dispositions issued under that Act and the Recreation Policy.