Environmental group questions the reach of legislation, while off-roaders hail the updates to 1979’s rules
Details of new legislation that promises to regulate Alberta’s recreational trail system still need to be hammered out, but the head of the province’s off-highway vehicle association says it’s a good first step toward improving outdoor opportunities for all.
“For us, the Trail’s Act is a very welcome step,” said Garett Schmidt, president of theAlberta Off Highway Vehicle Association (AOHVA), of the legislation unveiled earlier this month. “Because it provides legislation for the first time in Alberta that recognizes trail-based recreation as a resource of the province.”
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However, groups such as the Alberta Wildlife Association (AWA) and Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) are taking a more skeptical approach to the new legislation, questioning if the move will supersede existing land-use planning or will see privatization of public land.
Schmidt disagrees, saying the Trail’s Act does not replace regulations currently governing land-use planning.
However, it will help manage trails for cycling, horseback riding or off-highway vehicle use if those activities are consistent with regional plans.
“Land-use planning determines where and when,” said Schmidt. “Once we have that, (the Trail’s Act) facilitates the partnership to be able to take a group and say ‘can you help us manage it on the landscape?’”
He rejected AWA claims the legislation is geared toward off-road vehicle use, saying it gives trail users, whomever they may be, more control in managing and creating trails whether they be for cross-country skiers or hikers through an appointed trail manager.
“(Trail use) is something that a land manager has to manage and permit. They do it out of the goodness in their heart, they are not doing it out of legislated requirement,” said Schmidt.
Regarding the possible introduction of user fees to access public trails, Schmidt said that shouldn’t be seen as a negative because users would have more ability to maintain the system.
“Our clubs want to take care of trails but the paperwork to build a trail is absolutely insane to simply cut a tree off a trail,” said Schmidt, adding the same requirements for industry shouldn’t be applied to recreational use.
In a statement by Becky Best-Bertwistle, CPAWS southern Alberta conservation co-ordinator, the group questions whether provincially appointed trail managers will have sufficient accountability in managing the land.
“Any trail management plans created under this legislation must prioritize ecological integrity of the landscape while meeting the needs of all recreational users,” she said in a statement. “The provincial government must remain the planner, manager and final authority of any trails developed under this legislation.”
Schmidt said there are only limited regulations currently on how public lands are used by off-highway vehicles for recreation, which are focused on water body crossings.
“The Trails Act is going to help implement the processes of where we can go and what the trail requirements and designs are going to be needed to do so,” he said.
Alberta has 13,000 kilometres of trails governed by legislation, which has not been updated since 1979.
