The Government of Alberta's Land-use Framework (LUF) sets out an approach to manage Alberta's lands and natural resources to achieve the province's long-term economic, environmental and social goals and provides a blueprint for land-use management and decision-making that addresses Alberta's growth pressures. The LUF was developed with extensive public, stakeholder, and Aboriginal consultation. The final framework was released by the Government of Alberta in December 2008 and provides the necessary forward-looking clarity and guidance under which specific policy development can be directed and progress can be measured. It provides a decision-making framework that reflects province-wide goals, principles and priorities. Legal authority to implement the LUF occurred on October 1, 2009, with the proclamation of the Alberta Land Stewardship Act (ALSA). The Act, which established as part of the public service but not as part of a government department, the LUS headed by the stewardship commissioner, potentially affects all activities on the land and all Albertans. This polygon shapefile contains the boundaries for the seven Land-use Framework planning regions which are based on watersheds and adjusted to align with municipal boundaries. The Land-use Framework regions are defined by Orders in Council which serve as the defining documents.

These boundaries are kept for historic purposes only. The Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Operations Regions dataset is comprised of all the polygons that represent the operations regions established for the Ministry of Environment and Parks to provide environmentally responsible services and management of the province's sustainable resources. Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Operations Regions were approved and effective May 29, 2013. These regions were made obsolete when the Ministry of Environment and Parks split into the Ministry of Forestry and Parks and the Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas.