Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
Alberta may soon charge fees for random camping on provincial public lands in the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains, including Willmore Wilderness Park north of Jasper.
On April 12, Environment and Parks Minister Jason Nixon tabled Bill 64 to allow the government to charge fees for recreation activities on public lands.
鈥淎lberta鈥檚 Crown lands are the foundation of our province鈥檚 rich, natural heritage and are used for recreation, conservation and economic development,鈥� Nixon said in a release.
鈥淏ill 64 will ensure that Crown land recreation is sustainably funded and will help conserve our wild and beautiful landscapes for generations to come.鈥�
If Bill 64 is passed, a public lands camping pass will be required to random camp on public land along the Eastern Slopes starting June 1.
Campers 18 years and older would be required to purchase a pass at $20 per person for a three-day pass or $30 per person for an annual pass.
There would also be a $3.25 plus GST system processing fee per transaction.
The government says fees collected would go towards upgrading infrastructure, improving education, funding conservation officers on the ground, enhancing public safety and ensuring better environmental and waste management.
The proposal is backed by the Alberta Fish and Game Association, the Alberta Snowmobile Association, Clearwater County and the Rural Municipalities of Alberta.
鈥淥utdoor enthusiasts from around the world cherish Alberta鈥檚 wilderness,鈥� said Brian Dingreville, president of the Alberta Fish and Game Association, in the release.
鈥淲ith increased pressure every year in our backyard from visitors, a public land camping pass means we can provide sustainable reinvestment on public lands for the boots on the ground needed to promote better conservation and waste management.鈥�
However, Ian Urquhart, conservation director of Alberta Wilderness Association, said the UCP was breaking an election promise since the election platform had originally proposed a $30-trail permit fee for off-highway vehicles (OHV) and camping trailers.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e concerned about restoring trail damage and if you鈥檙e concerned about preventing damage, then direct this at the constituency we know is most responsible for that damage and that鈥檚 off-highway vehicles,鈥� Urquhart said.
Willmore Wilderness Park, in particular, is off limits to OHV use and caters more to low-impact users who partake in backpacking, hunting, equestrian camping and outfitting.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 see why people who are on multiday backpacking trips in Willmore should be paying anything to restore the damage in southern Alberta,鈥� Urquhart said.
Marlin Schmidt, NDP Critic for Environment and Parks, accused the UCP of 鈥渙nce again doing everything they can to hammer household budgets.鈥�
鈥淲e need to be encouraging people to spend their summer and their time outdoors in the province, not charging them more to do so at a time when so many Albertans are struggling to make ends meet,鈥� Schmidt said in a statement.
