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June
13, 2008
Wet
weather heightens need for land stewardship
Saturated trails in southwestern
foothills at risk
Edmonton... Due to recent heavy rains throughout
much of southern Alberta, the Government of Alberta
is recommending Albertans voluntarily refrain from
motorized recreational use in the forest reserve
south of the North Saskatchewan River to the north
boundary of Waterton Lakes National Park.
Recent heavy rains and high water have saturated
soils to a vulnerable and fragile state in much of
the province. Albertans are encouraged to keep
motorized vehicles, both off-highway vehicles (OHVs)
and automobiles, away from stream banks, wetlands,
and wet trails to allow soils to drain, stabilize,
and recover. A single vehicle on a wet trail can
cause more damage than many vehicles on a dry trail.
Work completed by volunteers in the area is also at
risk of being damaged by any vehicle use on
saturated soils. These projects include new
trailwork and work done on bank stabilization and
water crossings.
Trails, roads, bridges, and popular camping
locations may be impacted by the heavy rain and
resulting flooding. Backcountry users are encouraged
to support good stewardship practices, be aware of
trail conditions, and be extra careful for their own
personal safety.
Please travel cautiously and respect any local
trail and road closures. Albertans can learn more
Respect the Land tips at
http://srd.alberta.ca/lands/usingpublicland/recreation/headingout.aspx
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COHV Launches
Multi-Media Youth ATV Safety Teaching Tools
The Canadian Off-Highway Vehicles Distributors
Council (COHV) and the All-Terrain Vehicles
Federation of New Brunswick (NBATV) introduced the
new Adventure Trails interactive CD and activity
book to be used by ATV Clubs, law
enforcement, safety organizations, schools and the
general public as the most innovative and effective
way to teach young ATV riders the rules around
riding safely.
“Studies show that with proper legislation
including mandatory size limitations and adult
supervision, it is safe and it is responsible to
allow youth to ride age appropriate youth-sized
ATV’s and off-road motorcycles,” stated Bob Ramsay,
President of the COHV. “The introduction of this CD
and activity book is just one more tool for us to
help reach our youth and their parents in our
efforts to ensure that everyone enjoys safe family
recreation.”
Read complete press release here...
Read backgrounder here...
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New recreational
rules introduced for Willow Creek area (Indian
Graves)
Recent destructive and irresponsible behavior in
the Willow Creek area 120 km southwest of Calgary
has prompted the Alberta government to introduce new
recreational rules for the area under a Forest Land
Use Zone (FLUZ). Visitors to Willow
Creek this long weekend are asked to note the new
rules:
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Camping is permitted in
designated areas only and may not exceed 14
days. New signs will mark these areas.
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On-highway vehicles exceeding
363 kg are only permitted to be used to
transport people and equipment to camping and
staging areas on routes designated by signs.
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Off-highway vehicles heavier
than 363 kg are not permitted in the FLUZ.
-
Motor vehicles that weigh 363
kilograms (800 pounds) or less are still
permitted within the Willow Creek FLUZ.
Read more here...
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The Calgary Quad
Squad does not condone destructive use of the back
country as was witnessed on the Victoria Day long
weekend, and as stewards of the trails and
wilderness, we share a stake in what happens to our
riding and camping areas. We participate in
numerous trail clean-up and stewardship projects
throughout the year and applaud the efforts of all
who helped clean up in the aftermath of the
unfortunate abuses of the Indian Graves and
surrounding recreational areas.
Read more here...
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Alberta’s Land-use Framework – if you really
care get informed!
There is a process in train, or perhaps more
accurately a train in process, that will impact us
all when it comes to how public lands are managed
and accessed. We must participate and let our views
be known. There is a 41 page booklet available on
the above site that provides background and I
recommend that you read it to get up to speed. But,
if you haven't time or enough passion about your
access to read it and the companion 15 page Workbook
questionnaire I will try to help a bit.
Read more here...
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New fines for offences on forested public lands.
It will soon cost more
for those who ignore the laws when they set out to
enjoy a weekend of recreation in the woods.
Effective May 1, fines will increase for offences
such as improper waste disposal, careless use of an
off-highway vehicle or starting an open fire in or
near a Forest Recreation Area.
Read more here...
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Canadians Spent $3.3
Billion on Direct Activities Involving ATVs in 2005
Toronto – An economic impact study commissioned by
The Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle
Distributors Council (COHV) and completed by Smith
Gunther Associates Ltd.,
to read more about the study
click here
To read the news release
click here
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The Mountain Pine Beetle continues its attack on
Alberta Forests
To learn more about how the Alberta Government
is dealing with this menace and how it will affect
our trails
click here
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Parkland County seeking members to sit on OHV
Resolution Committee
County of Parkland
is looking for residents to become members of the
resolution committee. All interested county
residents are encouraged to act on the behalf of all
the OHV's enthusiasts living in the Parkland county.
Read more here...
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Wood Buffalo ATV Riders Club goes online.
The
Wood Buffalo A.T.V. Riders Club has a website up and
running, it is new and will be going through some
refining. You can check it out at
www.wbatvridersclub.com
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