ATV derby told to move over environment concerns

REGINA — Concerns over the environmental effects of all-terrain vehicles in Saskatchewan has some individuals calling for stricter regulations.

“I think we would consider it ... to be potentially the No. 1 negative impact on unoccupied Crown lands or on wildlife lands across the province and across Canada,” said Darrell Crabbe, executive director of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation.

“It’s really sad to see some of the destruction that goes on of stream banks or marshes or game trails.”

The issue came to a head earlier this month when provincial conservation officers told the annual Wawota quad derby’s organizers the event could no longer take place in the Pipestone Valley because of its effect on the creek.

The order came as a blow to the Wawota & District Lions Club, which has organized the derby in the same location for 10 years. It attracted 677 participants this year and brings in thousands of dollars for the town.

“Our community is going to suffer because it takes $20,000 out of it,” said Lions Club president Doug Bourgon. He said if the derby is moved elsewhere, “nobody will come.”

To Doug Carpenter, one of four landowners who allow the derby to occur on their property, the event is a non-issue.

“It just looks dirty for a few months, but by September long weekend, you can’t even tell that they’ve been in there,” he said.

As news spread around the community, derby participant Donovan Pryce started an online petition to save the derby. It has collected more than 1,500 signatures.

For Regina-based environmentalist Trevor Herriot, though, the conservation officers’ decision was welcome news.

“When you dig up land like that, you’re destroying the ecology locally,” he said.