Map 8 - Man-Made Constraints illustrates the significant man-made constraints within the Plan area. They include the CN line that runs parallel to the North Saskatchewan River and a network of pipelines carrying a variety of liquid and gaseous materials crosses the Heartland area. The extent and complexity of this pipeline network, which provides feedstock to Heartland industries and conveys product to Heartland markets, is illustrated in Map 8. Linkages with key supply and market areas such as Strathcona Industrial Area, the oil sands region, Joffre, Medicine Hat and other areas, have been and will continue to be developed. There are also a series of inter-industry pipeline linkages within Heartland itself.
The issue of land sterilization by pipeline routes is compounded by the limiting distances, which define setbacks from pipelines. These setbacks vary with the volatility, concentration and pressure of materials being conveyed. These “regulatory shadows” can result in a further sterilization of land for development, and it is wise land use planning to try to concentrate these land use impacts to the extent allowable by regulatory and safety considerations.
While the pipelines and their setbacks may impose a constraint to development, they also provide an opportunity for the provision of linked open spaces and/or wildlife corridors.