GAMP: It's Official - What's it mean?

[wolf359]

GAMP is now official and in effect as of today, May 17, 2006.

First, everyone should go read the brouchure on the government website...

Government GAMP page

Here's what it all means to us:

1.  Bike Users:  There are less than 5km of BIKE only trail in the Ghost.  However, Bikes can use all the truck and quad trails.

2.  Quad Users:  Those of us who use quads to recreate will be able to utilize the largest amount of the remaining trail network.  Quads can also go on truck trails

3.  Trucks:  limited to less than 50km of trails.   Meadow creek trail and Lost Knife seem to be the longest routes, along with the trail to the falls (but not from Sept 1 - Oct 31).  Nothing East of the 940.  No Cow Lake, No Little Red Deer, No Harold Creak.  No Wolftrap.  No Killer Cutline.  No Cabin Creek (bypass or trail).

The government has chosen to implement a "Closed unless posted Open" Policy for the Ghost, which means - unless there is a sign explicitly stating you can use the trail, the trail is officially closed to motorized recreation.

Here is what the signs mean:

Bike Sign:  

Bike only trail.  No Quads.  No Trucks

Quad Sign:  

Trail is accessable to Quads and Bikes.  No Trucks

Truck Sign:  

Trail is accessable to Trucks, Quads and Bikes.

In terms of enforcement, expect a "soft start" of warnings and explanations of what all the changes are for the next few months.   However, make no mistake, this is the law of the land in the GHOST FLUZ.

Please make the time to attend one of the local meetings for Trucks (Alberta 4 Wheel Drive or the next Calgary Jeep Club meeting),  Bikes (Rocky Mountain Dirt Riders, or Second Gear Club, AOHVA, others) or Quads (Calgary Quad Squad, AOHVA., others) so you can inform yourself about these changes and what we can do to fight these RIDICULOUSLY SHORT SIGHTED TRAIL CLOSURES.

http://www.ab4wd.com/
http://www.calgaryjeep.com/
http://www.rockymountaindirtriders.com/
http://www.secondgearclub.com/
http://www.aohva.com
http://www.cnpquadsquad.com/calgary.htm

[wolf359]

I watched yesterday the minister of SRD, the Honorable David Coutts,  as he said that the new GAMP plan was implemented to "reduce" user conflict.

THIS STATEMENT IS ABSOLUTELY WRONG.

Was he kidding?  Is he that misinformed?   Obviously not, but the statement is ludicrous.

GAMP will be the CAUSE of conflict in the Ghost.

If will cause more conflict than we have ever seen.   It breaks users down into small, discrete groups, and then discriminates against them based on use.  

Bike Owners?    I would be so livid right now if I rode a Motorcycle.   5 KM of Bike trails left in the whole of the Ghost.   No single track.  The ENTIRE south Ghost closed to motorized recreation.

Trucks.  That's me.    We are literally left with The Falls, Meadow Creek and Lost Knife.  That's it.

Quads?  Came out the best, if you call losing 2/3 of your trails good.

Are you mad yet?

No 4x4's east of the 940.  Seriously.  nothing.    

Are you mad yet?

GAMP designates trails into Bike (of which there is almost none), Quad (the vast majority), and Truck.  

What are the criteria?  

Who knows?  

The government sure didn't tell us (and I personally sat in the "Trail Criteria" meeting where the the majority of our questions were met with "We don't know yet" or a "We are still working on that".  

So much for stakeholder input.

Here's an example.    A lot of people who have used the Ghost in the past will know this trail.  I drove to the trailhead yesterday before the announcement, and found this:

It is now designated a "quad".   It's not a Quad trail, it's a truck trail.



There is at least two feet of trail on either side of this full size 3/4 ton dodge.  IT's a truck sized trail.

 

The trail is 15.5 feet wide between the signs.

I've personally driven this trail many times in the last 15 years.  It's a good, fun trail.   And now it's closed to Truck traffic.    Along with hundreds of others.   Hard packed.  Closed to Trucks.

What frustrates me the most is that SRD was PROVIDED an opportunity by the stakeholders to produce a GAMP plan that would have been accepted by the majority of responsible motorized users.  

The absolutely ignored the stakeholders.

So now, two days before the start of the season, this "plan" gets dropped in our laps.  No time for education.  No time to fine tune it, or adjust it to minimize conflict.  Just announced, after months of silence and stonewalling.

So my advice to the motorized users who read this piece?  

Continue to recreate responsibly.  Tread Lightly on public land.  Leave no trace camping.   Follow the guidelines for random camping.  Travel safely.  Be bear aware.

If you speak with a member of SRD this weekend, please be aware that the Rangers in the field had NOTHING to do with creating this plan.  

They are there to provide enforcement.  We welcome the enforcement of reasonable rules and regulations.

However, please make your ranger aware, that you DO NOT AGREE with the severe restrictions placed on the EXISTING TRAIL NETWORK.  

There are NOT ENOUGH TRAILS LEFT TO PROVIDE RECREATION IN THE GHOST.

GAMP is a recipe for disaster.  
GAMP creates conflict.  
GAMP turns responsible users into criminals.

There will be a ton of work left ahead in the coming months and years, as we try and reverse or modify this ridiculous piece of legislation.  Please continue to be prepared to support your local user group,  who will represent you in this action.

http://www.ab4wd.com/
http://www.calgaryjeep.com/calgary.htm
http://www.rockymountaindirtriders.com/
http://www.secondgearclub.com/
http://www.aohva.com
http://www.cnpquadsquad.com/calgary.htm

[wolf359]

Listen to AM1010 CBC today, there will be a section on GAMP