ATV derby told to move over environment concerns

Concerns over the environmental effects of all-terrain vehicles in Saskatchewan have 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 at 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 that 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 allows the derby on his 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.

Crabbe and Herriot stressed they are not against ATV use, and that most riders are responsible.

Herriot hopes the Wawota rally is a “low point” from which riders and other stakeholders can work together on a solution. Along with the wildlife federation, Herriot is calling for better regulation of ATV use in Saskatchewan.

Current legislation dictates who can ride ATVs and where — on unoccupied Crown land, on private land with permission, and in highway ditches — but does not cover environmental protection specifically. That’s tackled, generally, under the Environment Management and Protection Act.

Ministry of Environment conservation officer Rich Hildebrand said investigations into ATV environmental destruction seem to be increasing, at least anecdotally. With a province as large as Saskatchewan, Hildebrand said, “we do what we can, but it’s a challenge, so we do need the public’s help.”

Crabbe said the legislation needs more teeth.

“I don’t think there’s the political will to try to use that (existing legislation) ... I think we need solid ATV regulations that make it illegal to have any destruction of habitat or certainly waterways and that sort of thing.”

The general manager of the Saskatchewan ATV Association, though, doesn’t see the need for more regulation.

“I think the environment’s important, but we also have a lot of ATVs in this province and, yes, they would like to go for a ride,” said John Meed. The association promotes safe and responsible use of ATVs, he added.

The association thinks more ATV trails is one possible solution.

“The more opportunities people have to go somewhere that’s managed and organized and safer, the less chance they’re going to want to go off into places they shouldn’t be,” said Meed.