Letter from Retread TED Morton and my response:
Thank-you for the standard fourm letter Ted. However I did ask you some questions that I would like to have real answers to. The letter you just sent was generic and vague and could be applied to any portion of our province. When I go into Alberta’s back country and see all the devastation that is brought about by poor logging practices I am appalled. As a responsible off road user I fail to see how it would be even remotely possible for us as a responsible group even come close to what has happened to the forests in the McLean creek area. The logging companies are logging right up to the main roads, just to the crest of a ridge (allowing the wind to blow down massive amounts of good uncut trees, no reforestation efforts, the list goes on and on. Yet when we as responsible off roaders with trucks help the province clean up an area (with our larger vehicles because they are the only ones that can get the job done) we get the door slammed in out face. I am not impressed. So far the current leadership of the PC party in Alberta is getting a failing grade by the constituents. I know first hand why that is. When election time comes around I will do my best to promote responsible use of all our natural resources, by all groups, not just use for a select few.
Doug Voth
I would appreciate a proper response
[email protected]________________________________________
From: SRD Minister [mailto:
[email protected]]
Sent: July 23, 2007 4:33 PM
To:
[email protected]Subject: Recreational Activities on Public Land
AR16423
Thank you for your July 2, 2007 e-mail sharing your views about recreational activities on public land. The Alberta government recognizes that growing numbers of Albertans are looking for outdoor recreation experiences. Not all landscapes, however, can accommodate the same forms of recreational use or can sustain levels of use by large, heavier off-highway vehicles and random campers.
The Willow Creek Forest Land Use Zone was implemented to protect that area’s sensitive vegetation, soil, wildlife habitat and water resources, which are particularly susceptible to damage and erosion. The creation of this Forest Land Use Zone is another step toward a broader strategy for addressing recreational use of public land throughout the province.
For the remainder of the 2007 summer season, the department will be working closely with other agencies and user groups to implement the new rules for the Willow Creek Forest Land Use Zone. Sustainable Resource Development’s Respect the Land stewardship program will continue to play a leading role in educating Albertans about using public land responsibly. As well, the department will continue to employ seasonal Guardians to patrol public land and respond to non-compliance issues through the use of warnings and tickets.
Recognizing that community-level efforts continue to be the most effective means of producing change, I truly appreciate the many volunteers and recreational user groups who tirelessly promote responsible recreation and help maintain trail and random camping areas. Strengthening these relationships will continue to be important for my department, particularly as Albertans are increasingly interested in discovering the benefits of Alberta’s public lands off-road.
In the coming months, a recommendations report from the provincial Land-use Framework sessions is anticipated. I believe these strategies will help guide Alberta’s discussions about how we balance all of the competing uses for our land. The provincial government will continue to rely on Albertans for input into the decision-making process to ensure that we meet our shared social, economic and environmental goals.
Further information regarding the implementation of the Willow Creek Forest Land Use Zone, including a Questions and Answers sheet and area map, can be found on Sustainable Resource Development’s website at
http://srd.alberta.ca/whatsnew/WillCreekFLUZ.aspx, or by contacting the Information Center at 1-866-279-0023.
Thank you for writing to me about this important matter.
Ted Morton
Minister
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Topic: Letter from Retread Ted (Read 2389 times)