Quadders step up fight against ban

Off-highway vehicle users are ramping up opposition to the government’s decision to phase out off-road use in southern Alberta, but the premier is defending the decision.

Approximately 600 people attended a town hall meeting in Bellevue on Feb. 7 to talk about the plans for the Castle wilderness area and at least as many are expected to rally in Lethbridge’s Galt Gardens on Feb. 11.

“The economic impact is going to be huge here,” said Gary Clark, president of the Crowsnest Pass Quad Squad. “Crowsnest Pass doesn’t have any industrial base — we rely on tourism. A lot of people come here and bring a lot of money so that’s a really big concern.”

He said OHV groups have two petitions circulating at the moment, both of which are at their booth at Calgary’s Boat and Sportsman’s Show this weekend.

One petition requests clearer wording on the government’s public survey on off-highway vehicle use while the other calls for continued use of trails in the area.

In January, the province announced boundaries for two protected areas in the southwest with plans to phase out off-highway use over five years. The Castle Wildland Provincial Park and the new Castle Provincial Park will preserve just over 1,000 square kilometres.

Despite opposition from offhighway groups, Premier Rachel Notley said Thursday the decision is in the best interests of all Albertans.

“You know, when you have passionate belief, you’re not always going to have consensus, but the absence of consensus can lead to action as well, because not doing anything means we’re making a decision, which may result in being too far along to actually choose to save the area.

“Ultimately, after looking at the science and hearing from the experts, we knew that’s what we had to do. So that’s not always an easy decision but it’s the kind of decision we believe will make life better for Albertans today and in generations to come because we will have preserved such an important and integral area.”

But Clark said there needs to be a balance between environmentalism and recreation. He maintains that can be accomplished with a designated trail system and heavy fines for abusers.

“The Castle is a special place, there’s no question about that. We understand (it) needs to be protected ... What we’re calling for is to be allowed to ride in some designated trails in low environmental impact areas.”

Both Notley and Environment Minister Shannon Phillips say when the trails are phased out, other provincial lands will be made available for motorized recreation.

“Our minister is looking at supporting other places where that off-road use can take place, putting in better infrastructure for this.”

Brent Hodgson, president of the Alberta Off Highway Vehicle Association, is “deeply disappointed” with the decision, saying it is a complete reversal from what they were told. He, too, is calling on the government to work with user groups to identify trails that could continue to be used.

“OHV users, and all Albertans, are ready for the difficult conversations the government has called for but make no mistake — we want to see some meaningful action out of them rather than political posturing at our expense.”

While off-roaders are rallying, landowners and environmentalists are celebrating.

“I support protecting the Castle Wilderness from unnecessary wear and tear by OHV use because it’s far more important to protect our invaluable headwaters from further degradation that we cannot afford,” said Cody Spencer, a rancher and owner of Lethbridgebased Sweetgrass Bison.

Former Banff National Park superintendent Kevin Van Tighem agrees it’s important to build highquality OHV trails but only outside of protected parks, sensitive wildlife habitat and watersheds.

“Action to protect the spectacular country southwest of Pincher Creek from ongoing vandalism and over-exploitation was a long time coming.”