Outdoor Enthusiasts Urged To Respect Alberta's Public Land
Environment and Parks Minister Shannon Phillips addresses public land enforcement prior to the May long weekend.
Over the upcoming long weekend and throughout the rest of the season, provincial government staff will once again work together to ensure everyone understands and follows the rules and regulations that protect public lands.
“As Albertans, we are truly fortunate to have so many outdoor recreation opportunities. It is our mission to conserve and protect our public land so that it is always there for people to enjoy.”
On top of the core funding for public land enforcement and management, government will provide an additional $1.5 million for:
- hiring about 20 seasonal park rangers
- hiring five seasonal recreation engagement officers
- hiring eight seasonal problem wildlife positions to allow fish and wildlife officers more opportunity to enforce public lands legislation
- education materials and targeted outreach
- Fish and wildlife officers, conservation officers, park rangers and RCMP work together to enforce legislation on public land.
Entering a restricted/prohibited area in a Public Land Use Zone will net violators a $402 fine and failing to report to a mandatory watercraft inspection station will cost $310. Fines for random camping on public land for more than 14 consecutive days will increase from $172 to $287. The changes will come into force on May 31.
The following examples of serious public land abuse continue to occur:
- driving a car, truck, OHV, etc., through a naturally occurring water body
- dumping large amounts of garbage
- cutting down trees and creating new trails instead of using existing ones
- building unauthorized structures on public land
- random camping in the same location for more than 14 days
- entering closed areas
Anyone who witnesses a serious public land abuse can phone the Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800 or visit the Report A Poacher website.
Banner photo from Alberta Parks.
