New ticketing and increases in fines for public land

[honda75]

Just saw this - looks like Alberta has changed the rules so COs can give instant tickets now, instead of having to go to court + increased fines for a bunch of public land offences.

Press release here - https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=55943BD86018D-EB9E-88CB-CD69903AB3ADEDF3

List of offences and penalties here -

Wheels in water $287, operate off trail in a PLUZ $402

 

[TylerG]

Just saw this - looks like Alberta has changed the rules so COs can give instant tickets now, instead of having to go to court + increased fines for a bunch of public land offences.

Press release here - https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=55943BD86018D-EB9E-88CB-CD69903AB3ADEDF3

List of offences and penalties here -

Wheels in water $287, operate off trail in a PLUZ $402

I don't personally see an issue with the fines, however, I think we as recreationalists deserve a true definition or guidance as to best practice when crossing creeks/streams.

 

[honda75]

Agreed. I think if its a directly across a stream on a designated trail in a place with no bridge you're fine. What about most crown land where there are no desigated PLUZ trails though? Hopefully they are being reasonable.

 

[TylerG]

Agreed. I think if its a directly across a stream on a designated trail in a place with no bridge you're fine. What about most crown land where there are no desigated PLUZ trails though? Hopefully they are being reasonable.

in my experience, if YOU are reasonable and aren't trying to hide anything they will be reasonable.

 

[Summitric]

agreed. I think if its a directly across a stream on a designated trail in a place with no bridge you're fine. What about most crown land where there are no desigated pluz trails though? Hopefully they are being reasonable.

and what about the horse tours that walk along in the creeks and rivers? They kick up as much or more silt than the odd quad... Is this horse/quad racistlike now?

 

[Stg2Suby]

Horses no exception! Well except for that girl in the 2nd photo

 

[lilduke]

What aboot Moose! Are they handing out tickets to them too? lol

 

[Lund]

I've pee'd in creeks a few times, sorry

Thinking of it, that was on the western side of the Rockies....

 

[Grinder]

Wonder if the horse riders pick up the horse s!it and pack it out hmmm should be fined for littering.

 

[tex78]

I've pee'd in creeks a few times, sorry

Thinking of it, that was on the western side of the Rockies....

I've pee'd on both sides, Eastern and western slopes

Hope they can't back peddle ya and fine from years ago

 

[Lund]

I've pee'd on both sides, Eastern and western slopes

Hope they can't back peddle ya and fine from years ago

Ya i know, we have a boil water advisory now..LOL

 

[catinthehat]

Just saw this - looks like Alberta has changed the rules so COs can give instant tickets now, instead of having to go to court + increased fines for a bunch of public land offences.

Press release here - https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=55943BD86018D-EB9E-88CB-CD69903AB3ADEDF3

List of offences and penalties here -

Wheels in water $287, operate off trail in a PLUZ $402

Who didn't see this coming? Only surprise is how long it took for the gov't to take action. We, the users are our own worst enemy. Can't expect to be taken seriously claiming to be good stewards of the land at the same time as posting hundreds of pictures/videos of abusing the same land base. If you aren't going to stay out of waterways and untracked landscape keep the pictures to yourself. As they say "one picture is worth a thousand words" and that is about how many every greenie uses to describe our activities when they see the pics.

 

[catinthehat]

I don't personally see an issue with the fines, however, I think we as recreationalists deserve a true definition or guidance as to best practice when crossing creeks/streams.

It isn't the crossing of waterways that causes the most uproar, it is the videos of vehicles following the waterway that gets the most backlash.

 

[TylerG]

It isn't the crossing of waterways that causes the most uproar, it is the videos of vehicles following the waterway that gets the most backlash.

100% it is, but hey, the video's sure look cool on youtube!........ (please note the previous statement is thick with sarcasm)

 

[Stg2Suby]

Have to admit I've never studied the rules before, just relied on common sense and judgement and only netted one fine back in 2004 for riding somewhere I knew wasn't allowed.

But now that the NDP has empowered CO's to act as Judge and Jury with no apparent means of recourse for the defendant I feel the need to educate myself better.

Following are a couple points that caught my interest along with my comments/questions:

32(2) Occupy public land for recreational purposes without access permit $287*
- Has this always been in place? I've never needed an "access permit" for random camping so where does this apply?

185(1)(a) Operate on highway vehicle except on highway in PLUZ $402*
- So dual sport motorcycle, 4x4 vehicles etc. registered "on-highway" can be fined for use off highway?

185(4)(a)** Off-highway vehicle/ motorcycle within 100 metres of lakeshore in PLUZ without access permit/when unauthorized $287
- I was sort of aware this existed but will pay more attention now

185(4)(b)(c)** Camp overnight within 100 metres of lakeshore in PLUZ without authorization. Graze/tether horse within 100 metres of lakeshore in PLUZ without authorization $287*
- Wasn't aware of this before but it makes sense

198** Interfere with quiet enjoyment of others of PLRA unless in accordance with disposition $287
- Has this always been there? The ** means wording has changed

206(2) Speed in snow vehicle on PLRT $172*
- Hmm speeding ticket for snow vehicles, is there a blanket speed limit because it makes no mention of "posted speed" and I don't recall too many posted speed limits on sled trails.

Schedule 4, Part B, 5** Exceed posted speed limit on highway/trail while operating motor vehicle in McLean Creek OHV PLUZ $172*
- Fair enough although don't recall many speed limits posted at McLean

Schedule 4, Part D, 12(4)** Exceed posted speed limit while operating snow vehicle in Cataract Creek Snow Vehicle PLUZ $172*
- Fair enough

 

[nast70]

[32(2) Occupy public land for recreational purposes without access permit $287*
- Has this always been in place? I've never needed an "access permit" for random camping so where does this apply?

I think it's about the max stay of 14 days anywhere across the board. More about squatters than campers.

 

[whoDEANie]

So, how did the long weekend go? Did anyone find they were "targeted" or got fines that they normally wouldn't have?

 

[Stg2Suby]

[32(2) Occupy public land for recreational purposes without access permit $287*
- Has this always been in place? I've never needed an "access permit" for random camping so where does this apply?

I think it's about the max stay of 14 days anywhere across the board. More about squatters than campers.

There is another statute for the 14 day thing:
190(1) Camping accommodation unit in PLRA exceeding 14 consecutive days without access permit $287*

 

[LID]

So, how did the long weekend go? Did anyone find they were "targeted" or got fines that they normally wouldn't have?

I saw the media stories before the weekend about increased enforcement, haven’t seen anything about tickets/DUIs/destruction/mud bogging or anything else

Did everything possibly go smoothly?

 

[rodney1960]

No one can afford to camp out west any more?

But Lots of guys camping out in the city now. No quads and sxs's though, mostly shopping carts half full of cans....