Park damage nothing new

EDMONTON — Parks across the province are facing the same overcrowding and environmental damage as seen in a west-central Alberta wilderness area, the Environment Minister says.

“The situation taking place west of Rocky Mountain House and Sundre is no different than what we’re seeing all across the province,” Jason Nixon said Wednesday.

He wouldn’t commit to an immediate increase in facilities or enforcement for the Bighorn backcountry, despite concerns raised by his own department. That’s a go-ahead for the people who are causing the problems, said New Democrat environment critic Marlin Schmidt.

“The minister has effectively given them the green light to keep doing that kind of thing.”

Earlier this week, The Canadian Press reported on a provincial committee that oversees the Bighorn, a vast section of mostly unserviced backcountry once considered for a park.

The committee’s report — and interviews with local people —described an area swarmed by tens of thousands of campers who cut trees, strew garbage and trespass. The report described usage levels as “insane.”

It said garbage and human feces litter the landscape, despite large dumpsters installed by one community.

Area First Nations said they can no longer hunt or gather plants; sacred sites have been disturbed.

Volunteer search-and-rescue services said demand has increased manyfold.

The report said firepits pock the bush and campers shoot firearms along power cutlines. Campers set up for the weekend, leave everything and return five days later.

Enforcement in the area is limited to two rangers and an RCMP detachment more than 100 kilometres away.