The purpose of the Athabasca Sandhills Local Integrated Resource Plan is to provide direction for managing and using public land and resources in the planning area to provide a variety of benefits for Albertans. A resource is defined as anything perceived by society as having value, including such traditional resources as land, timber and minerals as well as less tangible resources without an obvious market value, such as unique ecosystems and recreational opportunities. Generally the plan maximizes benefits by specifying where, when and how resources will be managed and used.