News about Mclean

[XXXj]

http://www.canada.com/news/alberta/drinking/6778048/story.html

[XXXj]

"Hamza said there is a real need for the government to clearly state that mud bogging and driving through wetlands should not be allowed"............. comments ?

[heep-a-lop]

wow some one needs to rape this guys face... they really cant figure out that we really arent doing that much damage can they

[XXXj]

it's always such a battle. I'm still reading it, trying to figure out some way to not be so fumed...
unbelievable.

[Spinalguy]

Nothing wrong with that article. 
The article never mentions jeep, truck, 4x4. Finally, the finger is being pointed at the group that worked so hard to rid the Province of the awful 4x4's. i have always stated that once they banished 4x4's, the real problem in this province will be under the microscope...the ATV.
Karma can be so generous.

But in reality the article is ridiculous. Great journalism
At least the comments are positive.

[hps4evr]

sticking to the trails is the main concern. which is the whole reason we build bridges and avoid the low marshy areas. its nice to see these kids do their project but they obviously have nobody guiding them. its a very one sided point of view. with all this rain there is way more mud and silt in the rivers heading to calgary. i bet there is a nice filtration system for calgarys water too. this is a subject that seemed more of an issue a few years ago when there were so many problems in mclean, indian graves and waiperous. but things have changed. maybe the government will work with us user groups more. rather then close the entire area. there is a way to keep everyone happy, it will just cost the government some money. we shal see i guess...

[XXXj]

"there is a way to keep everyone happy, it will just cost the government some money"
and im sure the non-off roading folk would be so pleased to pay for that too. I posted it
since it is a new article, something to read

[hps4evr]

I pay for other peoples kids to go to public schools. Yet I have no kids. Doesnt bother me, kids gotta go somewhere.

[Spinalguy]

What is irresponsible is that the recent rains over the last 2 weeks have caused way more turbidity in the waterways eroding banks, etc. i mean when i look at the Bow this a.m. i am in NO WAY thinking that those ATV'ers in Maclean caused this. Good Grief.
Almost always the waterways in the Ghost and Maclean are crystal clear.
Grrrr, horrible journalism.

[Slewfoot]

I pay for other peoples kids to go to public schools. Yet I have no kids. Doesnt bother me, kids gotta go somewhere.

Good perspective.  I agree.

[XXXj]

we also pay for people to abuse financial aid, health care, pensions ect.
Not sure being supportive of paying for our children to go to school
is a comparable perspective, but I'm glad to see it doesn't bother you to
pitch in.

As mentioned by someone earlier, I agree. This article is extremely one
sided and it's unfortunate that "we" have volunteers working hard to
preserve the trails, build bridges, make it safe and encourage other people
to ride/drive responsibly. There will be times when the beaten path is
not followed, but there's always going to be people not conforming to the
rules/regulations in anything and everything that we do.

[frenchy]

It's all BS!!
I've emailed the author asking for the water test results, when they were taken, who analyzed them, what locations were water samples taken from, etc...

BS reply.....
-------------------
Serge,

The students worked a great deal with Elbow River Watershed Partnership who conduct regular water quality testing with students at Calgary-area schools.

Sarah
------------------

I myself have gone out with this group and done my own water tests. Results were much different.
Way Downstream of McLean, not right after, is where it gets worse, but still not too bad.
Our assumptions pointed blame more towards all the residential developments and farming fertilizers.

One thing these inbred, helmet wearing mothfuckles need constant reminding about is this...
We have zero trails crossing the river they are "monitoring". Not even a nearby trail rednecks could wonder off from to cross the river.

I picked up so much garbage from these kids' water test spots it was sickening!
80+ kids per bus load day after day, all summer... These little Eco tard geeks are causing more damage to the river bed than our jeeps ever have and will, report that to the government!

[RookieRecurve]

There is power in numbers.  A great reason for people to join a responsible 4x4 club, attend meetings, and participate in trail maintenance.  While we cannot influence people who choose to propagate their own agendas with children, we can get kids out on the trails and teach them responsible trail use.  Heck, invite one of your kids buddies to step away from the computer, and join you for a trail ride.  I am working on my own club affiliation right now, and encourage all trail users to do the same.

Thank goodness one commenter on the article mentioned during livestock and farmland run off.

[Skippy]

This article frustrates me a lot, but not because its pointing to the damage which 4x4's do in fact create, but because it all these articles regarding McLean ignore one HUGE environmental issue. Calgary is the leading city for urban sprawl, and if you want to talk about damaging the environment, polluting water, destroying eco systems, polluting the air, Calgary is will always be a slave to large lot sizes, urban communities which has the mentality of my crap don't stink attitude, and this kid is just the next generation of ignorance. People need to take a long hard look in the mirror before they go and point accusations at 4x4's, as more people who do 4x4's are generally very Eco conscious, not to mention the simple fact that the damage areas of McLean in all reality amount to such a small percentage of the total area, that it really could be said the Ikea parking lot and deer foot do more damage yearly than the motorists at McLean.

:-P and if you really wanna scare this kid, he should look at what happened to Chesapeake bay as a result of large concentrations of livestock.

I will end my rant there so my BP can drop to a more normal level for the rest of the day.

[hornblower]

Classic news story.

One sided and sensationalized.