Mikew5j
Active VIP Member
Some big changes are planned for southern Alberta. No doubt this will spread throughout Alberta if these proposals go through.
SOUTH SASKATCHEWAN REGIONAL PLAN
Status: Planning and Consultations Underway
The first and second phases of public consultation are complete as of December 21, 2012. During the third, final phase of consultation, the Alberta government will invite the public, stakeholders and municipalities to offer input on the draft South Saskatchewan Regional Plan. Refer to Public Consultations for information on consultation sessions.
Recreation and Tourism • Develop a better understanding of recreation and tourism preferences.
• Develop an all-season land-and-water-based recreational trail system.
• Develop and implement a user-pay system to help fund recreational development, management and infrastructure.
• Limit motorized recreation to designated areas and trails to protect wetlands and other habitats
• Maintain and enhance public access to recreational water bodies.
• Expand the supply of recreational opportunities, including destinations, attractions, facilities and infrastructure, and serviced and un-serviced camping.
HOW DOES THIS AFFECT YOU AS AN OFF ROAD MOTORCYCLIST?
In phase 2 workshops proposals to achieve the above objectives were as follows:
• Limit motorized vehicles to only .5% of the total land base in the South Saskatchewan region ( 410 sq. kilometers )
• No motorized vehicles allowed on any lease lands
• No motorized vehicles allowed near rivers or other water sources such as river valleys and lakes
• No motorized vehicles allowed in the back country of the eastern slopes or in upper elevations
• Close the Castle area to all motorized vehicles
• Limit motorized vehicles to lower designated trails in the Crowsnest area, Race Horse creek area, Dutch Creek area, Old Man area and Livingston area
• Maclean Creek and Porcupine Hills would have designated trail systems for motorized vehicles that would be under constant review
• Random camping would not be allowed anywhere and only a few designated camping areas would be set up
WHAT ALL OFF ROAD MOTORIZED USERS NEED TO DO
Go to px https://landuse.alberta.ca/RegionalPlans/SouthSaskatchewanRegion/SSRPConsultation/Pages/default.aspx and get informed on what is proposed for the South Saskatchewan region.
Contact the following via telephone, email, letter writing or if possible in person
Your local MLA,
Minister of Environment and Sustainable Resources, Diana McQueen at Legislature Office
204 Legislature Building
10800 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB
Canada T5K 2B6
Phone: (780) 427-2391
Fax: (780) 422-6259
Premier Allison Redford
Contact Premier's Office
Telephone
• Calling from metro-Edmonton: 780-427-2251
• Calling long-distance in Alberta: dial 310-0000 toll-free
• Calling from outside Alberta: 780-427-2711 connects you to the Government of Alberta Call Centre
Office of the Premier Room 307, Legislature Building 10800-97 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2B6
We need to let government know we are not in favor of more land closures and land restrictions for off road motorcyclists. The third phase will start in May, 2013 so action must be taken now to ensure you and your children have riding areas available in southern Alberta in the future.
The following is a letter drafted for off road motorcyclists to use in whole or in part when contacting the government.