Ali Howat, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
On Nov. 2, Environment and Parks Minister Jason Nixon unveiled Bill 79 or the Trails Act, which seeks to grant more powers to non-government user groups, saying it will result in improvements to trail maintenance and enhanced environmental protection.
If passed, Bill 79 will update the legal framework to align trails and their management with how trails are currently used, helping ensure the sustainability of trails so that they will be enjoyed for years to come, according to the government.
Bill 79, the Trails Act, would support trails on public land to adapt to the growing demand of outdoor recreation for tourism and business.
If passed, the Trails Act and associated amendments to the Public Lands Act will:
- Establish a system for sustainable trail management on public land
- Allow for the designation of trails for specific uses, such as hiking or riding an OHV
- Improve trail planning to consider other land uses and values
- Provide enforcement tools to prevent environmental damage and promote stewardship of the land
- Promote a bigger role for partners in trail maintenance
- Strengthen trail protections so all Albertans can enjoy them for years to come
Current trails in Alberta vary in quality and how they are managed, posing environmental and safety risks such as poor water crossings that harm fish and too many recreational activities on the same trail.
There are 13,000 kilometres of designated and managed trails in Alberta, as well as hundreds of thousands of kilometers of unplanned trails.
Alberta鈥檚 legislation for trails on public land has not been updated since 1979 and trail use has changed significantly since then.
In Bill 79, the Trails Act, the United Conservative Party fulfills a promise made in its 2019 political platform.
Multiple conservation groups have voiced concern about the legislation.
鈥淭hrough this bill鈥檚 trail manager and trail agreement provisions, Minister Nixon will give himself the power to make any person, including corporations, responsible for managing all aspects of trails on public lands,鈥� said Devon Earl, AWA Conservation Specialist.
鈥淭his invites the privatization of public lands belonging to all Albertans.鈥�
Staff at Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) stated how the act does not address the long-term protection of sensitive lands, waters and wildlife in the province.
鈥淥ur public lands provide rich habitat for wildlife, some of the world鈥檚 most intact mountain habitats and opportunities for outdoor recreation,鈥� says Hilary Young, Y2Y鈥檚 senior Alberta program manager.
鈥淏ut this Act seems to speak for the few, not the majority of users. This is another example where the province has not engaged in fulsome consultation with all Albertans about a decision that has a significant impact on Crown lands in our mountains and foothills.鈥�
Groups also noted how there was no mention during the announcement of the UCP鈥檚 election platform commitment to introduce a mandatory $30 trail permit fee for OHVs.
