April 2005 • Vol.13, No.2

AWA

A magnificent view from the Cypress Hills - J. Geary

CYPRESS HILLS WIND FARM PROPOSAL SPARKS CLASH OF VALUES / 4 TRUE GEM OF OIL SANDS SLATED FOR DESTRUCTION / 9 THE CARIBOU DILEMMA: GOVERNMENT STRUGGLES WHILE INDUSTRY FLOURISHES / 16 POLITICKING AND THE GRIZZLY HUNT DECISION / 20 Editorial Board: ONTENTS FEATURE ARTIST Shirley Bray, Ph.D. CAPRIL 2005 • VOL.13, NO. 2 Peter Sherrington, Ph.D. 23 ARTIST PROFILE: DEIRDRE Andy Marshall OUT FRONT WEBB (GRIFFITHS) By John Geary Joyce Hildebrand 4 “BLOW-DOWN” IN THE Printing by: CYPRESS HILLS: WIND FARM HEARD AROUND ALBERTA PROPOSAL SPARKS CLASH Colour printing and process is OF VALUES sponsored by Topline Printing By Dr. Shirley Bray 25 TRUMPETER SWANS WINTER IN CROWSNEST PASS ALBERTA WILDERNESS WATCH 25 WALKING NAMED TOP LEISURE ACTIVITY BY ALBERTANS 9 TRUE GEM OF OIL SANDS SLATED FOR DESTRUCTION 25 WILDLIFE SANCTUARY By Shirley Bray UNSAFE FOR WILDLIFE Graphic Design: Ball Creative 11 WORLD CONSERVATION 25 ATTACK OF THE AWA CONGRESS RECOMMENDS Wild Lands Advocate is pub- CANADA PROTECT MORE 25 THE LESSON OF THOREAU BOREAL FOREST lished bimonthly, 6 times a 25 UNITING THE RIGHT year, by Alberta Wilderness 12 PASSION OF PERSEVERING ADVOCATES CRITICAL TO Association. The opinions CASTLE’S FUTURE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR expressed by the authors By Nigel Douglas in this publication are not necessarily those of AWA. 13 FIRE MANAGEMENT PLANS 26 ASSESSING HUMAN BLAZE OUT OF CONTROL IN RELATIONSHIPS WITH BEARS: The editors reserve the right BIGHORN Charlie Russell’s Point of View to edit, reject or withdraw By Lara Smandych articles and letters submitted. 28 RESPONSE TO “BEWARE 16 THE CARIBOU DILEMMA: KANANASKIS NORTH” LETTER Government Struggles with Please direct questions Woodland Caribou File While 29 IS ALBERTA A SUSTAINABLE and comments to: PLACE FOR CARIBOU? Industry Flourishes Shirley Bray By Lara Smandych 29 A SUPERHIGHWAY’S SUPER Phone: 270-2736 17 THE DOLLARS AND SENSE OF ECONOMY Fax: 270-2743 PRIMROSE-LAKELAND [email protected] By Ian Urquhart ASSOCIATION NEWS www.albertawilderness.ca 18 CHEVIOT MINE IN OPERATION WITH COURT CASES IN TOW By Lara Smandych 30 STAYING RELEVANT By Cliff Wallis 19 ALBERTA REFUSES TO SIGN CANADA FOREST ACCORD EVENTS By Shirley Bray 20 HOW MUCH POLITICKING WENT INTO GRIZZLY HUNT DECISION? 31 SUMMER DAY HIKES AND By Nigel Douglas TOURS Box 6398, Station D, GOVERNMENT MUST 32 ALBERTA WILDERNESS 21 BACKPACKING TRIPS Calgary, Alberta T2P 2E1 ACKNOWLEDGE HEALTH RISK Ph: (403) 283-2025 OF CWD AND DANGER OF AWA respects the privacy of members. List are not GAME FARMS sold or traded in any manner. AWA is a federally Toll-free 1-866-313-0713 By Shirley Bray registered charity and functions through member www.albertawilderness.ca and donor support. Tax-deductible donations may be made to the Association at Box 6398 Station e-mail: [email protected] D, Calgary, AB T2P 2E1. Ph:(403)283-2025 Fax:(403) 270-2743 E-mail: awa @shaw.ca www.albertawilderness.ca SUPPORT ALBERTA WILDERNESS

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McClelland Fen WILDERNESS CIRCLE $2500+ PHILANTHROPIST $1000 SUSTAINER $500 MORE THAN ENOUGH SCANDALS AT HOME ASSOCIATE $100 SUPPORTER $50 OTHER $ Premier Klein may be upset about the allegations of federal Liberal corruption in the sponsorship scandal, but before he starts casting stones, MONTHLY DONOR PROGRAMME maybe he should deal with scandals in his own backyard. In this issue we deal with two scandalous issues the Alberta government thinks are fine just the way they are. I would like to donate $______monthly. Here is my credit card number In 1987, the government introduced legalized game farming in Alberta OR my voided cheque for bank withdrawal. ignoring the warnings of scientists about disease, parasites, genetic pollution, I understand that monthly donations are and the fact that commercialization of wildlife is its greatest known enemy processed on the 1st of the month and antithetical to our world-renown system of wildlife conservation. They (min of $5 month). ignored warnings that the industry was unsustainable. They ignored the wishes of the public. The entire process has been described as one of the most corrupt in Canadian history. It was not just undemocratic; it was PAYMENT INFORMATION deliberately manipulated by government to force a particular result, over the express wishes of Albertans. CHEQUE VISA M/C

Now Albertans are paying a heavy price – dealing with Chronic AMOUNT $ Wasting Disease, a non-native disease introduced through game farm animal imports. The government is also spending millions of dollars in CARD # subsidies to prop up the industry, considering game farm animals as part of its “diversified livestock” industry, even though desperate game farmers EXPIRY DATE: want to get out of the industry, the market is non-existent, and the former agriculture minister admitted it was unviable. NAME:

The second scandal involves a world class wetland site in northern ADDRESS: Alberta – the McClelland Lake Wetland Complex. The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for the region once protected this area from oil sands mining CITY/PROV: because of its high conservation value. The area is an important migratory bird stopover and has two of Alberta’s largest and best spectacular ancient POSTAL CODE: patterned fens. PHONE (HM): In 2002, the government rushed through an IRP amendment, without following due process, and with extremely poor public consultation. Now PHONE (WK): one of the fens is slated for destruction from oil sands surface mining. Once again, thanks to our government’s plutolatry, it has sold our natural E-MAIL: heritage, our true wealth, for a quick buck. SIGNATURE: Klein wants to campaign for the federal Conservatives, but if leader Stephen Harper is thinking of taking a page from the Alberta Conservative Send payments to: book on how to do things, we should all be on guard. Alberta Wilderness Association P.O. Box 6398, Station D Calgary AB, T2P 2E1 or donate online @ www.albertawilderness.ca C. Olson C.

But according to the ASP, ASP, But according to the Cypress County Reeve, Jack power, who also sat on the Steering who also sat on power, Committee for the Plan, is of the opinion that the Fringe Plan is just an extension of the Park and “we’re not in the business of the Park.” “Cypress Hills Park plays a pivotal role in the future land use of the fringe by users, “their use Visitation area.” of facilities, trips to viewpoints and Osadczuk, a strong proponent of wind a lucrative source of steady income. a lucrative source of landowners to only a few large With the company deal with in the Fringe, is promising them sees less hassle and $3000 to $5000 a typical payments of describes wind as year per turbine. He farmers another cash crop that Boileau promising With can harvest. to the tune of to fill County coffers $300,000 a year in taxes, councillors are leaning towards an easier solution of allowing wind farm development in the Fringe, rather than tossing the plan out completely.

(ASP, Bylaw 2003/03) (ASP, Most councilors were initially Over half of the fringe is a Over half of the fringe Castle Ridge Wind Farm, Pincher Creek – Do these turbines enhance the view? Farm, Pincher Creek Castle Ridge Wind against a wind farm in the Fringe, but after a seminar with Boileau, the tide turned, helped along by local landowners who see wind farms as especially to preserve high value the native rangeland, and specifies importance of protecting viewscapes. Rising demand for country residential development seems to be one of its main concerns and wind farms are not even mentioned. World Wildlife Fund highlight its Wildlife World as well. international significance Area Hills Fringe The Cypress Plan Structure zone was created to maintain a buffer around the Park of agricultural land, It’s the kind of landscape that draws It’s from first time an astonished “wow” visitors. significant national environmentally assessments by area and conservation the Northern the Nature Conservancy, Network and Plains Conservation

area 2 WIND FARM PROPOSAL SPARKS CLASH OF VALUES OF CLASH SPARKS PROPOSAL FARM WIND Shirley Bray By Dr. “BLOW-DOWN” IN THE CYPRESS HILLS: HILLS: THE CYPRESS IN “BLOW-DOWN” Surrounding Cypress Hills Without a provincial policy for a provincial Without West WindEau Inc. owner, David Inc. owner, WindEau West When Cypress County councilors When Cypress County high in the Park you can get a sense of what the original prairie was like. known as the Fringe, a mixture of public and private land with some of prairie blocks of native the best large left in the province. From viewpoints importance as well? Provincial Park is a 278 km a nationally significant viewscape a nationally significant and increasingly rare native prairie, both of which have economic landowners have a lot of say in what happens. But what do you do when the wind farm threatens to compromise are left scrambling to determine how should be developed wind energy local And that means in their areas. exploitation of the land and those who exploitation of the land and those who want to maintain the native landscape. development, counties wind energy 200MW or more, has had the typical 200MW of dividing the community into effect those who want to cash in on this latest northeast of Cypress Hills Provincial northeast of Cypress Hills Provincial Park, on environmentally sensitive native prairie, with plans to expand to Wind Energy, a Brascan Power a Brascan Energy, Wind Corporation subsidiary in Ontario. His wind farm proposal to put a 100MW Boileau has been honing his wind power message for a few years now, most recently as president of Superior landscape with “beautiful” wind farms landscape with “beautiful” wind farms and the beautiful money they can generate. a slick salesman from Ontario has got a slick salesman from Ontario has got them ready to throw that plan aside and replace the pristine prairie and south to the Sweetgrass Hills. and south to the Sweetgrass Cypress Hills as They recognized the “a special and unique place.” But now the “impressive views of relatively the “impressive views spreading to undisturbed landscape” native prairie the north through rolling brought out the management plan for brought out the management Cypress Hills the area surrounding 2003, they prized Provincial Park in

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OUT FRONT WLA April 2005 • Vol.13, No.2 5 C. Wershler C.

roads” which “Locating wind farms on The first goal of the ASP is “to ASP The first goal of the turbine a that people assures Boileau It is well-known that native It is well-known only kills an average of 2 birds a year. year. a birds 2 of average an kills only seriously could this turbines, 70 with But endangered of populations impact The owl. burrowing the as such raptors, researching are Naturalists Grasslands detail. in farms wind of impact the grasslands internationally significant in the Cypress Hills does not represent production,” sustainable green energy Fringe area residents for many years.” Fringe area residents for many years.” minimize the continued fragmentation native rangeland and of higher-quality better agricultural land” within the the of one is rangeland “Native Fringe. Canada.” in landscapes remaining rarest the “minimize to is goal second The new of construction accelerate fragmentation of the rangeland. One of the objectives is to “evaluate development proposals using sound ecological principles and processes. opponents also point out that roads that roads point out also opponents use, for public the area will open people,” hunters and “curious including may that landowners consequences not realize. for its high protein fescue, prized and so crucial content and durability, cannot be for wintering ungulates, disturbance. reclaimed after significant “the native prairie notes that ASP The mainstay of has been the economic

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that a

Opponents are concerned are Opponents Already, more than 80% of of 80% than more Already, impact wildlife. The initial plan calls impact wildlife. for 70 turbines, 120 metres high, with access roads to each and heavy cranes required for their installation. Some resource.” Most of Alberta’s endangered Alberta’s of Most resource.” The grasslands. the on are species not has it that acknowledges government Grassland the of targets conservation met sell to continues it but Region, Natural without prairie native develop and or policy lands public proper a consultation. public wind farm development will increase the number of roads and powerlines, will bring in invasive species that can ruin native grasslands, and negatively transformed by agriculture, industry by agriculture, transformed and urbanization. Only 20% of the than more has subregion grass mixed the remaining; prairie native of 75% areas few the of one is Hills Cypress km 10 than more blocks large with these recognizes ASP The left. ecological scarce “a as grasslands climate than the surrounding prairie. the surrounding climate than major for three It is the headwaters and and numerous springs watersheds fescue and wetlands. Relict Foothills cover the majority mixedgrass prairie of the area. lost, been has prairie native Alberta’s known for its remarkable biodiversity, biodiversity, remarkable for its known of montane, the meeting of the product and semi-arid desert grassland moister and its cooler, landscapes

Northern fringe area of Cypress Hills and site of proposed wind farm Hills and site of proposed of Cypress Northern fringe area The Cypress Plateau spreads out “There’s only 3 miles of road in “There’s A public hearing on April 19 to public hearing on A “That area belongs to every man, But not all councilors or But not all lesser hills west and north of the Park. Left partially unglaciated, the area is lives don’t realize what a beautiful realize what a beautiful lives don’t area it is.” into rolling, hummocky terrain with that whole area [north of the Park],” “Some says the local councillor. ranchers who have lived there all their The Roadless Prairie last chance for protecting the Fringe in and there are powerful arguments its favour. protecting our last prairie remnants. review the draft bylaw may be the local conservation group Grasslands Wilderness Alberta Naturalists and Association have waded into the debate because they know the importance of woman and child, all of Canada, and The our future generations,” he says. (2005/03) the Council has drafted (2005/03) the Council Facilities. He Energy Wind allowing not just a local issue. knows it’s wish to be named, has worked to named, has worked wish to be from areas get the Fringe excluded in a new bylaw allowed for wind farms landowners have been seduced. have been seduced. landowners who doesn’t councillor, One diligent demand for services will in part be in part will for services demand the in use decisions by land affected fringe.” C. Wallis C.

, March 5/05).” Tourists come for the natural Tourists Boileau downplays the importance claiming Reeve Osadczuk With Binder is calling on the County The ASP emphasizes the the emphasizes ASP The Winnipeg Free Press Free Winnipeg preservation of the unique and special features of the Cypress Hills, and to respect the lengthy public process that underlies it, especially in the face of pressures for intensive development. Saskatchewan rancher with A experience of a wind farm at Gull Lake told him that a wind farm “will solve your tourist problem.” to be “a national heritage feature in As a result, the greater public interest. views should be a consideration in land use, subdivision and development approval processes.” of viewscape by saying things like like change, but our “People don’t viewscapes are changing all the time ( But even he admits that you can have so many turbines in an area that it would look too busy. that “anything that makes money is beautiful,” the councillors seem to be losing their vision and foresight that into being. ASP brought the to retain the vision of the Plan, the importance of the viewscape, the the the viewscape, of importance to the which people can see extent to in a any direction standing horizon in and “The expansive specific location. afforded undeveloped views relatively rolling Hills over the by the Cypress a fundamental prairie hinterland is Retaining the asset of Cypress Park.” significant status of existing nationally are deemed views from key viewpoints

Northern fringe area of Cypress Hills Cypress of area fringe Northern

“Even those who agree that “You can’t do everything can’t “You “Beauty is in the eye of the Brad Stelfox, a biologist and a biologist and Brad Stelfox, by definition, if nothing else,” says “Furthermore, wind turbines, Binder. improperly located, are a symbol of the destruction of what is natural.” It’s his standard response to all the It’s people who tell him wind turbines, which he describes as “giant blooming But spoil the viewscape. daffodils,” while many people think the turbines who has ever thought the are ugly, Cypress Hills are ugly? wind turbines have a visual appeal similar to other well designed machines and weapons, recognize that turbines are not in harmony with the beauty of a natural landscape, everywhere,” argues Wallis. “There Wallis. everywhere,” argues want to are just some places we don’t put things. For example, I have a toilet want it in my in my house, but I don’t put a wind couldn’t You livingroom. farm at Moraine Lake without huge has think the Cypress Hills We protest. those same values.” Beauty Viewscape rather tritely. says Boileau, beholder,” firm Forem Technologies warns Technologies firm Forem is economic growth Alberta’s that its natural at the expense of proceeding Establishing landscapes and wildlife. to saving roadless areas is critical remains for what natural habitat wildlife, he says. where the land is degraded and the and the is degraded the land where lost. biodiversity environmental consulting owner of

Cypress Hills view to Elkwater Cypress Wallis points out that other Wallis For such views, the environmental “It’s not as if we don’t know what know not as if we don’t “It’s

company can do the same. There is company can do the same. he says, plenty of land in the county, companies are doing their homework and are not locating wind farms in sensitive native prairie and that this by trotting out the usual sweeping statement that “environmental groups oppose any kind of development.” but that doesn’t mean to everyone’s mean to everyone’s but that doesn’t satisfaction. Osadczuk echoes Boileau’s views and thwarts meaningful debate problem with wind farms is people – other people, that is. He has promised that all concerns will be addressed, from Pincher Creek who calls all turbines want wind those who don’t “naysayers.” Boileau thinks the only groups are being branded as by Boileau, hypocritical NIMBYists who is simply trying to discredit his opponents. Just like one of the lawyers is going to combine with coal bed methane to increase the degradation.” “We’ve seen the prairie landscape “We’ve change every year with more and more development. Now wind energy owns land on the south side of the Park owns land on the south side of the Park and a member of Grassland Naturalists. the effect will be,” says Henry Binder, will be,” says Henry Binder, the effect who a semi-retired lawyer/rancher damage environmentally sensitive sensitive damage environmentally lands. lands, especially public supportive of renewable energy of renewable energy supportive to fossil as alternatives developments not but they must fuel production, says grasslands expert and AWA AWA expert and grasslands says bluntly. Wallis, Cliff Past-President is generally AWA that He emphasizes C. Wallis C.

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Medicine Boileau thinks wind thinks Boileau (Earth Island land use and could help preserve native prairie by giving cash strapped ranchers, caught in the BSE crisis, a source of income so they can retain their land. He has yet to make a formal application, but he considering admits he’s to non-typical areas to non-typical areas The of the province. government is looking oil for ways, other than and gas and agriculture, to make rural communities sustainable over the long term. farms are a sustainable operating right up to In the Park boundary. Ontario, he was looking Feb. 26/05). “More tourists Feb. 26/05). “More

, Spring 2005), no energy , Spring 2005), no energy The only way for most wind The actual cost of wind farms is In addition to the environmental Agriculture, Food and Rural and Rural Food Agriculture, says the Grasslands Naturalists. “Additional wind power will simply allow more relatively low cost power to be exported into electricity guzzling markets.” farms in Canada to be viable is through funding from the federal government Tax through the Federal Production Power Production Wind Credit and the for long-term leases on public lands and royalty holidays of 15 years. uncertain, but as Joe Eaton reminds Wind” us in “Killer Journal source is without its costs and there are no risk-free options, but we should try to avoid environmental losses. costs of poorly located wind farms, wind farms will not limit the amount of power generated by other means, properties with degraded views. degraded with properties Horner Minister Doug Development to announced a plan has recently big part of A Alberta. rural revitalize a $1.7 is tourism, which has that plan a sign “It’s in 10 years. billion potential Horner ( of the times,” says Hat News holiday are looking for a rural There are plans for huge adventure.” of farm tours with growth in the area and on-farm bed and breakfast houses foreign tourists festivals, and enticing

Binder recognizes that wind As a landowner near the “Everyone is dreaming of having of having is dreaming “Everyone explains that land values will increase on those properties with turbines, because of the income they bring in, but will decrease on neighbouring going to come here anyway?” It is a common sentiment among disillusioned the discovered people who haven’t power of collective or community action. farm developments are a community also an issue There’s planning issue. want of fairness. “People who don’t wind turbines on their property are not just jealous,” he says. “They have the right to not have to experience the negative impacts of turbines.” He Park, Binder is well aware that his tell feel they can neighbours don’t others what to do with their property. Some people are telling him, “I don’t but why fight it; it’s want these either, Boileau gives the impression that wind the impression Boileau gives and appropriate everywhere farms are the dream of those discourage doesn’t on their property, who want turbines site is suitable. he knows that not every are no good and “High-high winds no good.” He says low-low winds are found a wind river in the upper he’s fringe area where atmosphere over the than 8 m/s. the wind blows more Deciding the Dream the Deciding says Binder, their property,” turbines on Although by Boileau. after a seminar

Cypress Hills Provincial Park (green line) and surrounding Fringe area area Fringe surrounding and line) (green Park Provincial Hills Cypress (pink/purple line). (Cypress Hills Fringe Area Structure Plan, May 2003) Structure Area Hills Fringe (Cypress line). (pink/purple Boileau has already been to Wayne Pedrini, Wayne Because the wind farm Because the wind farm do it than at a lookout. lookout at night. Perhaps star-gazing lookout at night. Perhaps star-gazing enjoy his thing, but many people isn’t marveling at the display of stars in a truly dark sky – and where better to visible from Park viewpoints. Boileau’s visible from Park viewpoints. Boileau’s parting suggestion was that people really have no business being at a Park While reflectors may point most of While reflectors Binder is the light towards the sky, concerned that the lights will still be obstruction lighting for structures less than 150 m tall and that wind turbines should use a flashing red beacon. Canada Aviation over this issue. Aviation Canada The general requirement is for red with the Royal Astronomical Society of with the Royal Canada, committed to a “cooperative the to assist with and joint effort protection of the night sky.” officially designated in Three September 2004. government agencies, in partnership the Council of the Cypress Hills Dark- Sky Preserve that was the Area Manager the with Community Development, reminded vision of the Plan with respect to viewscapes is protected.” meaningful if constraints are imposed outside the Fringe to ensure that the may be visible from viewpoints in the Park. “The Plan can only be Binder pointed out to Binder pointed out the County that wind farms outside the Fringe developments will extend beyond developments will the Fringe into the surrounding prairie, what is for many, a strong impetus for a strong what is for many, of the appreciation and conservation natural world.” more common throughout southern throughout southern more common the ability to see the Alberta. “In losing was, we also lose, landscape as it once more industrialized and the novelty and the more industrialized will quickly grow of wind farms as they become stale, especially setting of the Cypress Hills, says says Hills, of the Cypress setting factor will “wow” But the Binder. the landscape becomes be lost as K. Morck K.

Sharp-tailed grouse Sharp-tailed grouse Those visionary citizens haven’t Those visionary citizens haven’t “For the past 20 years the Cypress “It is estimated that within the “If located in places like the places like in “If located some country residential uses concentrated into a relatively small footprint and located on less sensitive This is the legacy of visionary lands. citizens.” their voices disappeared. Hopefully, and their legacy will prevail in the upcoming public hearing on the bylaw amendment. Visionary Citizens Visionary Hills Fringe area has been held up as the Canadian Pioneer in innovative protection of rare, native, shortgrass prairie while allowing well considered development near” the Park, says under a section entitled ASP the Vision.” Future “A next 20 years, the majority of the fescue grasslands and the mixed-aspen montane outside the park will have been protected as unbroken ranchland The price was for the long term. cultivated landscapes of western western of landscapes cultivated more would be much Kansas, they said friendly,” environmentally of executive director Ron Klataske, of of Kansas and a member Audubon the last “But to destroy the Foundation. tallgrass prairie America’s 4% of North – even though it is seems like a crime are many There not against the law. blows but only places where the wind have the largest one place where we prairie” expanse of native tallgrass Jan. 26/05 and (Associated Press, federal judge dismissed A Feb.11/05). the suit.

The Cypress County residents are The Grasslands Landowners can lease land to can lease land Landowners in the Flint Hills ecosystem and a area to protect surrounding buffer migratory birds and the aesthetic qualities of its views. Not Alone Not not the only ones dealing with wind farm developments in native prairie Tallgrass The Flint Hills landscapes. Prairie Heritage Foundation, a coalition of ranchers and conservationists in wind Kansas, sought to block a large farm development on one of the few remaining stands of native tallgrass prairie and took the issue to court. In their complaint they sought to prohibit development commercial wind energy stewards of the land.” They stewards of the land.” feel they are working in the long-term interest of the ranchers, not against their interests, by seeking protection of the land resource, as carefully They point out ASP. thought out in the that wind farm royalties would not be even a partial solution to the current problem of a depressed cattle market only a small because it would affect percentage of producers. by the Crown. AWA is AWA by the Crown. opposed to private interests benefiting from the destruction grasslands. native public the of Naturalists believe that get if ranchers don’t compensation “they would be united in opposition to such invasive developments and would be motivated to act in accordance with their image as good terms they can negotiate. The question The question can negotiate. terms they allowed ranchers should be is whether farms revenue from wind to collect There doesn’t leases. on Crown grazing for ranchers seem to be any precedent gain revenue being permitted to development from surface resource Government policy on grazing leases. land royalties recognizes that lease the public, and rightfully belong to for surface development the benefits resources, and sale of other surface are retained such as trees or gravel, on public land, for which there are there are for which land, on public easements. no conservation developer for whatever a wind farm

It’s doubtful if anyone would It’s While Elkwater has envisioned “The global solution is to move “The global solution lands within the Plan area that have The not been cultivated, qualify. program recognizes that the “best use” for some lands is to leave them in a an undeveloped state. However, rancher may also have a grazing lease Fringe has conservation easements that do not allow wind farms. landowners ASP According to the can receive federal and provincial tax relief for protecting ecologically sensitive lands and most of the private feature for another.” agree to putting a wind farm in a viewscape if nationally significant there were no money to be made from it. Some of the deeded land in the Binder says the County is overly concerned with economic development. already have economic “We development in the area – for tourism,” he says. “Economic development should be a win/win situation. destroy one be necessary to It shouldn’t since the 1980’s, people like George like George people since the 1980’s, Henline, of the Economic Development Alberta, Alliance of Southeastern talk about the rate of return on an acre and whether it is greater for wind power than other forms of land use. Province an attractive place to live.” caution in making large They urge for the environmental sacrifices wind industry. the future role of the townsite as a regional tourism destination centre many locations in the County, they say, they say, County, many locations in the truly green wind for harnessing that need, even for the “There is no power. development minded, to needlessly especially of valuable make sacrifices, features that make this corner of the southeastern Alberta as well as a southeastern formal public review. in place that towards putting rules production only permit or promote say power,” of more “truly green” There are the Grasslands Naturalists. by the Canadian Environmental Environmental by the Canadian has asked the AWA Act. Assessment Environmental Canadian with Agency to proceed Assessment of any of a comprehensive study developments in WindEau’s West Initiative (WPPI or “Wippi”). These These or “Wippi”). (WPPI Initiative an must complete developments as specified Assessment Environmental

OUT FRONT WLA April 2005 • Vol.13, No.2 8 WILDERNESS WATCH WLA April 2005 • Vol.13, No.2 9

They are putting a lot of store that acknowledges AWA While “We want to work “We Senior representatives from Senior representatives The only hope discussed was that In terms of projected future world In terms of projected recognized the sensitivity of the area. PetroCanada is at least talking to people concerned about their project approvals were in place. They have approvals were in place. a solid drive to develop the resource, they said, but want to develop it as responsibly as possible and by their “Sustainability Committee,” a multistakeholder committee that has yet to be formalized, but would include stakeholders in the area, a representative from an environmental group and scientists. They are promoting a more open exchange of information and would like to develop a good working and others. AWA relationship with collaboratively with you,” said Hall, noting that PetroCanada takes its reputation seriously. relatively insignificant. Furthermore, Furthermore, relatively insignificant. report a recent Parkland Institute is notes that the government from generating more revenue royalties on the gambling than from oil sands. division, oil sands PetroCanada’s Ken Hall and Dennis Kohlman, met to discuss the project AWA with They said concerns. AWA’s and PetroCanada bought in to the project knowing all the legal and regulatory AWA and PetroCanada have different and PetroCanada have different AWA goals. Collaboration that would inevitably lead to the destruction of is not an option. MLWC technology might improve enough in the next ten years, before their development date of about 2014, and that the resource might be taken and the the 20% The fen is part of fen spared. plans, something that many other companies would not do, ultimately oil demands, the amount of synthetic oil demands, the amount this project will be crude delivered by

McClelland Fen today Under the EUB approved plan Syncrude oil sands operation

barrels lie beneath the fen. That sounds barrels lie beneath the fen. like a lot, but represents only half a percent of the 2.5 trillion barrels of oil believed to be available in the oil sands. developed by TrueNorth Energy, Energy, TrueNorth developed by which bowed out of the project in 2003, 40% of the fen is to be mined will be directly and 50% of MLWC that of Their data showed destroyed. the 2.8 billion barrels of oil available in the Fort Hills, a potential one billion at the University of Iowa who did her at the University of the University doctoral research at Alberta. of

R. Thomas R. V. Pharis V.

FORT HILLS OIL SANDS VENTURE WILL DESTROY DESTROY WILL VENTURE SANDS OIL HILLS FORT TREASURE AN INTERNATIONAL Bray By Shirley “This is the most extraordinary Fens provide groundwater Located 90 km north of “The proposed destruction of There’s a lot of hype these There’s ever seen. It is a world-class site,” says Diana Horton, a peatland expert Dr. whooping crane uses MLWC as a rest whooping crane uses MLWC and refueling stop. and spectacular patterned fen I have five insectivorous species) and is an important nesting and migratory The endangered stopover site for birds. diverse community of plant and The complex is home animal species. to numerous rare plants (including recharging, surface water recharging, filtration, and habitat for a less than 5% of its peatlands and less than 1% of its land base, and McClelland has two of the largest. remarkably beautiful and intricate, ancient patterned fen on the west side of the lake. Patterned fens are Alberta, comprising uncommon in Fort McMurray, MLWC includes includes MLWC Fort McMurray, McClelland Lake, twelve sinkholes, and wetlands including a Canada’s natural heritage and natural heritage Canada’s must be protected. and AWA’s representative for the AWA’s and strongly believes that AWA area. part of is a priceless MLWC this internationally significant site this internationally significant is totally unacceptable,” says Dr. Thomas, a boreal expert Richard and UTS Energy Corp. go ahead and UTS Energy with their plans for oil sands Area. development in the Fort Hills Complex (MLWC), one of the Complex (MLWC), wetlands most spectacular world’s will be destroyed if PetroCanada gem in the oil sands stands on the gem in the oil sands once again. brink of destruction Wetland The McClelland Lake Alberta’s energy sector, and sector, energy Alberta’s its economic the cornerstone of the true success.” Meanwhile, days about Alberta’s “treasure in the Alberta’s days about the name of a Canada That’s sand.” that touts Foundation report West “future of the oil sands as the

Natural site to be 2

2 “Protecting the McClelland Lake Thomas emphasizes that we wants the 164 km AWA is the only site in the area, apart from an already designated 4.3 km wants protected. AWA Area that Alberta’s Complex can be Wetland 100th birthday gift to the world,” says Thomas. “This wonderful place richly Heritage Site status. World deserves its hard for will continue to fight AWA complete protection.” cannot replicate natural ecosystems, and that reclamation is NOT ecological restoration. “The claims at and SRD North Energy True by the 2002 EUB Hearings that mining impair the would not half MLWC ecological functioning of the Complex or McClelland Fen are utterly devoid he says. No one of credibility,” could restore a patterned fen that took thousands of years to develop. Replacing it with a grassy meadow is a poor substitute for a site of international significance. given protection as a provincial park, being core) its (at fen patterned the with designated as an ecological reserve. It of natural levels of biodiversity,” he of biodiversity,” levels of natural that scientists out pointing continues, as of biodiversity rank the decline threats most serious global one of the this “Against humanity. now facing a small represents MLWC backdrop, cog in the worldwide but significant of global biodiversity ‘wheel’ be saved.” protection that must McClelland Lake Wetland Complex McClelland Lake Wetland Oil sands operations moving closer to (from DigitalGlobe, EarthSat, at maps.google.com) (from “Ecosystems consist of complex “If they think about it at all, At the EUB hearing in 2002 She pointed out TrueNorth presented a report by presented TrueNorth networks of intimately interlinked therefore, human species. Ultimately, well-being demands the maintenance at over $69 billion it is going to take courage for industry and government to look to the future. many people in our society seem to regard protecting the environment and maintaining current levels of biological diversity as an optional extra,” says Thomas. “In fact, our survival as a species is utterly dependent upon the “ecological services” provided free by the naturally-functioning ecosystems biosphere. comprising Earth’s suspended a year later when the company pulled out of the project. some oil sands executives suggested other companies would be interested in finding some avenue, such as lease trading, to prevent destruction That is the kind of of MLWC. would AWA that collaborative effort like to see proceed. In a world where the oil sands are now rated the biggest project in the world, currently valued with the methodology that with the methodology render the conclusions invalid.” that one of the authors the earlier identified fen as having “the most prominent...pattern in the The research province.” group subsequently received a million dollar research grant from which was TrueNorth, the mineral resources beneath it,” she resources beneath the mineral added. as key evidence in peatland scientists for amendment support of its request to allow of the IRP The mining in the fen. report concluded that is the McClelland Fen merely “representative” and not unique. Horton for its criticized the report “fundamental problems decision using credible, scientifically- credible, using decision the ecological assessing research based Fens and of the McClelland uniqueness value of potential economic not just the “The government must base its “If we are going to change public Under the original 1996 IRP for Under the original 1996 IRP While the projected loss of this While the projected Horton questions the technology the technology Horton questions economic growth. on the subject (April 8/02), referring to a survey in which people were asked to rate the importance of protecting wetlands versus contributing to that the public has limited time to prepare,” wrote Gail MacCrimmon of the Pembina Institute in a backgrounder policy it should be on the basis of due process, not on the basis of two-page response cards and written submissions government ignored its own review guidelines in the process. a mere four months to rush through in 2002 an amendment to the IRP The that permitted mining to proceed. area was placed off-limits to mining. area was placed off-limits Under pressure from the Klein cabinet, the Department it only took however, of Sustainable Resource Development the sub-region, which took four years the sub-region, which took four years of considerable review and public input to hammer out, the McClelland Lake But the IRP review process for MLWC review process for MLWC But the IRP is not a good example. faith in multistakeholder committees, faith in multistakeholder committees, believing that they prevent bad decisions. information from influencing multistakeholder committee approved multistakeholder committee approved amendment, so clearly there the IRP was some will among a number of groups to go ahead. He puts a lot of to the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for the area allowing mining in the a McClelland Fen. He pointed out that was no small influence from other sectors. Kohlman sat on the review committee that passed an amendment international treasure can be placed international treasure on the shoulders of government, there needs a significant buffer zone or any buffer needs a significant the ecological disturbance will destroy integrity of the site.” the experiment! Furthermore, if mining the experiment! Furthermore, end of the fen, it occurs in the west the hydrology of the fen, will affect entire complex The no matter what. fix. “No one can predict with certainty can predict with fix. “No one be, and this is what the outcome would to do afford can’t a situation where we to get these last reserves, there will be last reserves, there to get these to protect that area.” some way of the Athabasca oil sands area that can area that oil sands Athabasca of the said faith,” “I have mined. be surface time “that when it comes Kohlman,

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A Cut A represents © Deidre E. Webb © Deidre Among the alternatives alternatives the Among maintain critical ecological elements of the forest such as old trees and The report also species diversity. discusses the economics of alternative approaches, concluding that in some cases, there would be immediate cost savings for the forest industry. Canada’s for report the in recommended of protection the are forests boreal during trees young and seedlings canopy to approaches staged logging; “shelterwood as known removal individual of removal the and logging”; “selection called trees, of groups and trees more is that practice a logging,” forests. southern Canada’s in common alternatives to clearcutting in the alternatives to clearcutting by forestry professor Written boreal. University of Andrew Park of the and his colleagues, Winnipeg Alternatives to Clearcutting Above: Forest Boreal in Canada’s the first systematic assessment of alternative approaches to clearcutting region that would boreal in Canada’s What the Raven Saw – Woodland Caribou Caribou What the Raven Saw – Woodland

which

WORLD CONSERVATION CONSERVATION WORLD RECOMMENDS CONGRESS MORE PROTECT CANADA FOREST BOREAL Canada and and cultural values. areas.” It emphasizes areas.” It emphasizes incorporating scientific and indigenous knowledge, and public perspectives in ecologically based land use planning to help achieve the conservation of natural The Boreal Forest Forest The Boreal A new report sponsored by the A In December 2003 the Canadian the-art stewardship practices in the remaining landscape.” viable League details Wildlands promotes a conservation approach The goal of for the entire boreal. the Framework is “to conserve the cultural, sustainable economic and natural values of the entire Canadian boreal region by employing the principles of conservation biology to protect at least 50% of the region interconnected in a network of large protected areas, and support sustainable communities, world- leading ecosystem-based resource management practices and state-of- for its freshwater; its unparalleled carbon storing capacity in trees, soil and peat; its rich array of wildlife; and to indigenous its cultural significance peoples. It points out that much of boreal forest is publicly owned and that land use planning should precede allocation of industrial uses and new roads. Boreal Initiative released an ambitious plan, Conservation Framework, Russia contain most of the world’s Russia contain most of the world’s boreal forest regions in the northern The resolution recognizes hemisphere. the importance of the boreal ecosystem The resolution also supports The resolution urges Canada and Canada The resolution urges The World Conservation World The

“encourage the effective management “encourage the effective of boreal forests and their protected and practices, restoration of areas the involvement impacted by industry, of indigenous and local communities, land managers and others to continuing research and funding, the development of innovative polices compositions and biodiversity, carbon compositions and biodiversity, reservoirs, and indigenous cultural values over the long term.” land use planning, especially before tenure allocation, to maintain forest health structure, ecological functions, which the overall health of boreal forest regions have been sustained, using community-based and ecosystem-based development does take place. Russia to “recognize, preserve and protect ecological processes through of protected areas as benchmarks, as well as the use of environmentally sustainable practices where industrial scientists are finding is critical to scientists are finding maintain present ecological values and services, through the establishment to conserve boreal forest. There is a to conserve boreal forest. particular emphasis on large-scale conservation of boreal forest, which Congress, held in November 2004, approved a resolution for Canada and Russia to strengthen their efforts V. Pharis V. C.Olson

Pursh)

Minimulus lewisii Jericho echoes this point of view. Jericho echoes this point of view. Working toward effective toward effective Working But industry has taken its toll But industry has taken “At the local level, staff are doing “At the local level, staff the best they can, but the government in Edmonton just refuses to see the big picture.” for overemphasize the need “I can’t making The people long-term vision. to have seem the decisions just don’t it be Will that long-term perspective. too late by the time we realize what we says AWA board member Vivian Pharis, Vivian member board AWA says “the world will be left with another hole in an increasingly ragged jigsaw puzzle that is our natural heritage.” protection in the Castle has seemed like a thankless task at times. “Some progress has been made in the years or so, Castle in the past five but this has been more to do with local administration than any overall says Ernst. government philosophy,” is easier to imagine what it would have is easier to imagine years ago.” looked like a hundred roads on the area, with crisscrossing gas wells, and seismic lines, sour barriers compressors, and concrete abandoned bunkers reminiscent of the Even in on the beaches of Dieppe. can’t places where the landscape tolerate the incursion, industry and recreationists have invaded the Castle. continue to work for “If we don’t strengthened protection in the Castle,”

The rare red monkey flower ( red The rare Dave Sheppard, a long-time Reg Ernst is a botanist who has Reg Ernst is a botanist of the prairies and the mountains is When you get the most striking thing. up high, you can look back over the prairies and there is nowhere where it Rockies in the northern U.S. and southern Canada, and the continuity carnivores between the two for large will be lost.” advocate for the Castle, agrees and points to the importance of the Castle as an area where the broad sweeping prairies bump into subalpine forests, open montane landscapes, and spectacular alpine peaks. “The canyons along the front ranges are really special to me,” says Sheppard. “The proximity in the south. The whole concept of the in the south. (Y2Y) Yukon to Yellowstone eco-region is dependent on a healthy Castle. If we lose the Castle, it will have an impact on the whole of the area, you just need to look at a map,” area, you just need a pinch point: if you he points out. “It’s have a damaged Castle, then you have isolated the species – animals or plants – to the north of the Castle from those your breath away. They have been They your breath away. numerous setbacks, willing, in spite of battles, to dedicate obstacles, and bitter of time and energy a significant amount for its conservation. for ten years. been studying the Castle appreciate the value of the Castle “To

TO CASTLE’S FUTURE CASTLE’S TO Specialist Conservation AWA Douglas, By Nigel PASSION OF PERSEVERING ADVOCATES CRITICAL CRITICAL ADVOCATES PERSEVERING OF PASSION Spionkop Canyon in Castle Wildland For decades the Castle Wilderness Wilderness For decades the Castle Brian Horejsi’s association with association Brian Horejsi’s Klaus Jericho first fell in love with Klaus Jericho first

lakes, canyons filled with elusive and fauna that takes wildlife and flora has attracted people who are passionate about this land of broad sweeping valleys, roaring streams, high alpine citizens. We need people with the We citizens. what close emotional attachment; it’s keeps us going.” people who aren’t afraid to show an afraid to show people who aren’t That’s emotional attachment to an area. part of being honest and effective scientist who also recognizes the importance of valuing the Castle on need a more fundamental level: “We Castle as a kid to pick huckleberries and to fish for bull trout. It was part of my back yard.” Horejsi is a wildlife the Castle goes back even further. the Castle goes back even further. “I’ve been going to the Castle for more I first went to the than half a century. realize what treasures there were in the realize what treasures there were in the overemphasize the can’t Castle. “You importance of these treasures globally.” for the benefit of the land.” He first first of the land.” He for the benefit the campaign to became involved in protect the Castle to try to make people being with the Castle,” he says. “It being with the Castle,” venture; I felt that became my personal to protect the area it was so important the Castle Wilderness in southwestern in southwestern Wilderness the Castle land was the first Alberta in 1969. It my “I identified attachment in his life. C.Olson

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The individuals and the To this end, a map has this end, To must desist and cattle grazing into into grazing cattle and desist must cease. must alpine the been produced by the groups to by the groups been produced area that must be given show the that of greater protection than Use Zone a basic Forest Land areas (FLUZ) and to identify requiring strict management The privilege that practices. enjoyed at users of this area have all levels must be acknowledged. for oil and Life-cycle planning demands gas operations that standards the highest possible clear for practice today and is restoration to commitments industrial further No critical. can area this in logging scale our of security the tolerated; be Off- it. on depends watershed vehicles motorized by access trail groups who are committed to the vision of the Castle won’t Forested and wildland areas are “It’s important to keep up the important to keep “It’s work in the Castle is supported by the (AWA’s protect the community? attractive places to live and work. Recent trends show people shifting from urban centers into these interface As a result, forest communities. give up. may get fight,” stresses Jericho. “We weary of playing the same record, and new people to keep important to get it’s up the fight, but trying is important. Though you might not reach your goal, you do reach other goals along the way and it does make a difference.” Foundation.) Wilburforce months, creatively seeking alternative alternative seeking creatively months, and the the public of helping ways to know and understand government of the Castle. the values

The groups working for this vision Map of the proposed Castle Wildland Map of the proposed plan to harvest more than 280 hectares of additional forest to reduce the risk of wildfire to the town of Nordegg. But will this clearing really serve to Development (SRD) for the Clearwater Area is proposing a mitigation Forest remain steadfast and committed. AWA AWA remain steadfast and committed. has its roots in this area and is joined Coalition, Wilderness by Castle Crown Chinook Sierra Club Chapter, CPAWS, Initiative, Yukon to Yellowstone and the National Wildcanada.net, Resource Defence Council of the U.S. we are a strong force and we Together are continuing to push for the vision. have been meeting on a regular We basis throughout the past several Tweedie, and Judy Huntley [of the [of Judy Huntley and Tweedie, Coalition] Wilderness Crown Castle odds is heart-warming,” against all says Jericho. FIRE MANAGEMENT PLANS BLAZE OUT OF CONTROL OF CONTROL PLANS BLAZE OUT FIRE MANAGEMENT IN BIGHORN Conservation Biologist AWA By Lara Smandych,

The risk of wildfire in Alberta The risk of wildfire in Some individuals have burned Ernst does see some cause Ernst does see some Horejsi sees it now as sees it Horejsi communities that live on the edge of wild lands. Sustainable Resource has prompted the government to plan control initiatives and implement fire to prevent loss to the province’s

advocating for better management and advocating for better management and greater protection. “The perseverance of people such as Gord Peterson, James themselves out fighting to keep this themselves out fighting place wild, but their vision is not lost. Others continue the struggle, plants will always be a big problem.” 1970s. Now you would never know it 1970s. Now you would never know it used to be a vehicle trail. But however much these areas heal, non-native area would heal itself. If you Trail look at Red Rock Canyon National Park, I Waterton in remember driving that road in the these areas to motorized and then industrial access today, in 10, 15, 30 years, a lot of the South Castle valley have been access, which closed to OHV is positive. If we close some of for cautious optimism. “In the for cautious optimism. of the past few years, some more fragile areas such as the much room for saying, ‘Well ‘Well much room for saying, just the way things are.’” that’s and degraded state, but we still and degraded state, do something have the chance to going to have decent. People are is not to get aggressive: there I see the absence of public I see the absence I go interest in its management. its fragile to the Castle despite the public and special interests. “It’s “It’s and special interests. the public freedom and a battle over go, Every time I democracy. have done?” have of the battle between representative

“Until they show me the need By the time these problems Despite these poor results The threat and impact of wildfire and impact of wildfire The threat for these plans, I am not convinced SRD needs to do anything beyond what they’ve already done for fire says control within the community,” Martha Kostuch, a Rocky Mountain House veterinarian and president of Alberta League for Environmentally “It (ALERT). Tourism Responsible Alberta in may be a gut reaction to fires to the increase in contributed fuel load, and • SRD did not have a full-time and role in clearing inspection sequencing supervision. blocks of were realized, four large forest located both east and west of Road had already Trunk the Forestry These blocks were not been cleared. contiguous and would do little to prevent risk of fire. Furthermore, as observed, the AWA one member of resulting landscape around Nordegg is a mess and is becoming an eyesore. and many people in and around the community of Nordegg remaining skeptical about further fire-control the new FireSmart plans efforts, these plans be Will were developed. in protecting the Nordegg effective community? Do other less intrusive and extensive options exist to abate wildfire threats? deadfall removed around the north the north around removed deadfall SRD the community. of subdivision would do that these efforts admitted from fires approaching little to hinder adjacent area. in communities on other interface SRD’s Alberta in 2001 accelerated scale fuel reduction need for a larger By 2003, under plan for Nordegg. Reduction the new Nordegg Fuel Plan), an Harvest Plan (Harvest commercial additional 410 ha of was undertaken. partial-cut harvesting that however, SRD readily admits, with the overall they were not happy Among Plan. results of the Harvest were the unforeseen problems the following: • cleared forest blocks were to be, bigger than they needed • tree blowdowns occurred and required, deadfall logging was • and died species tree

reported Fire in the Bighorn region has A recent fire in the Bighorn fire recent A trees leaves scorched area standing amid the burned of underbrush remains SRD has a history of unproven Why is such a large and intrusive Why is such a large Alberta allows less than 200,000 This level of ha to burn annually. human fire suppression has had the and the accumulations of biomass In January 2005, on the forest floor. Canadian Geographic that more than 450,000 ha of forest every year in are consumed by fire neighbouring Saskatchewan, while have already been undertaken in and around Nordegg resulting in the removal or alteration of more than 440 ha of forest and wildland? been strictly suppressed since the 1950s. Unfavourable results of fire suppression include the aging of forests, a higher canopy density, recognition that fire could significantly could significantly recognition that fire impact the health and safety of the of 34 ha of forest total A community. were thinned and pruned, and had opposite effect in that it has created in that it has opposite effect the perfect environment for wildfires control and need for fire and the urgent community protection. fire management in the area. In 1999 fire management for Nordegg saw the development of the Nordegg Plan in Urban Interface Wildland of fire control. harvesting plan needed for the area, particularly when other initiatives is extensive and stretches beyond the and stretches beyond is extensive townsite and subdivisions Nordegg and First Nation into the Bighorn Nodes. Bighorn Canyon Development this plan will No harvesting under of the occur within the boundary Under Nordegg’s Wildland. Bighorn 280 ha FireSmart plan, approximately for commercial have been identified cut, stand harvesting using patch cut methods. conversion, and clear will experience An additional 60 ha in the name mechanical fuel reduction penetrating deep into surrounding into surrounding deep penetrating of the goal with and wildland forest fire and secondary creating primary area The planning lines. containment

For Nordegg, however, the For Nordegg, however, Interface FireSmart fire Interface FireSmart fire In 2003 the large fires in the In 2003 the large The FireSmart program is a The FireSmart program

concept of community fire control has concept of community fire become a broad regional initiative, and removal of trees, and the use of fire-retardant building materials to prevent the spread of fire. concentrate on fuel management and include activities such as the removal of shrubs and deadfall, the thinning management focuses on steps that can to be taken to reduce the threat of fire These initiatives interface communities. communities as having high priority for communities as having high priority FireSmart planning and mitigation. result was the Nordegg FireSmart result was the Nordegg Alberta, In Community Zone Plan. Nordegg ranked among the top six Alberta Public Lands and Forest Alberta Public Lands take a new look Division (SRD) to The prevention strategy. at their fire and to enhance safety in interface and to enhance safety communities. area prompted Crowsnest Pass and fire management initiative used to fire management initiative losses due to fire reduce and prevent be destroyed in order to protect in order to protect be destroyed to live who have chosen landowners communities. in these interface protection has shifted its focus to focus to shifted its has protection avert fire. to protection community ask why nature should One could V. Pharis V.

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Red Fox © Deidre E. Webb © Deidre Further questions or concerns regarding Further questions or concerns regarding Although the public consultation consultation public the Although intervention, planned the Despite catastrophe. Given that 40 per cent are caused Alberta of wildfires in SRD needs to by human activity, on community concentrate its efforts preparedness fire-risk education, fire management, in and emergency addition to forest-user education and training in attempts to minimize potential future risk. More resources should also be directed toward other processes such as fire fighting personnel and infrastructure. in Bighorn and area mitigation threat wildfire to Gary Mandrusiak, should be addressed Sustainable Officer, Prevention Wildfire Development, Clearwater Forest Resource (403) 845-8356. area they issued an apology. After providing providing After apology. issued an they an AWA offered they this excuse, the final to comment on opportunity that all stakeholders expects AWA draft. parties have equal and interested plans to review the draft opportunity consultation and that adequate the entire process. be provided through I completed, be to yet has process fire the that SRD by informed was and deal” “done a basically was plan according Yet, through. going be would SRD, by AWA to sent letter a to and stage draft in still is plan the commence not will implementation Fish by endorsed is plan the until County. Clearwater and Wildlife and not will operations Harvesting be will and 2005 fall late until proceed spring. by completed the community of Nordegg and area may be left vulnerable to future fire

SRD has repeatedly failed “The plan may seem extensive but Given the extent of this plan, Given the undesirable outcomes undesirable outcomes Given the the forest SRD needs to manage SRD said that the omission of representation by environmental groups on the FireSmart committee was an oversight and their public consultation obligations by not consulting all stakeholders on issues at the outset, and despite being chastised in court over poor public consultation in the Bar C logging case in the Ghost River area, SRD has once again Although public fallen short. open houses were held and the draft presented to Clearwater County Council in October 2004, priority; however, fire suppression priority; however, initiatives that serve simply to preserve and supply timber to operators cannot be supported. we have a lot invested in Nordegg,” says Clearwater County Manager Brian Irmen. “Council feels something significant needs to done to protect the take long for the It won’t community. scar on the landscape to heal. would rather take the scar than risk We loss to the community.” and their supporting habitat needs to and their supporting “If a need for this be a top priority. then what is the activity is identified, best way to undertake these actions in order to address and manage for all while minimizing values and benefits negative impacts?” asks Kostuch. could timber supply and salvage be driving forces behind this initiative? Could this new plan simply be an excuse to log timber resources? Public and community safety must be a sensitive species. sensitive phase of and the first of clearing in the area, SRD logging initiatives need or benefit has not proven the measures. for such drastic harvesting not proceed Further logging should and overall until the effectiveness activities is need for fire abatement and addressed. adequately assessed values. for social and environmental of wildlife Management and protection however: primarily, air quality issues air quality primarily, however: Special management smoke. due to timing is required as to the attention on and their impact of these burns

April 2004). He WLA WLA In contrast, SRD‘s plans to clear Research by the United States SRD needs to consider other fire SRD needs to consider other fire In the end, forest clearing may In the end, forest clearing Kostuch is not convinced that not convinced that Kostuch is control. Prescribed burns don’t come control. Prescribed burns don’t without impacts to the community, trees and remove fuel from the forest ablaze floor may serve to keep the fire to in the canopy where it is difficult activities. In 2003, the B.C. Minister of Forests also echoed the return of prescribed burns. too proposed prescribed burning of the forest in and around Jasper as an alternative to planned clearing questioned the effectiveness of forest questioned the effectiveness clearing on community protection for Jasper (see although risky, prescribed burn, given although risky, the controversy that often comes with clearcutting options. Ben Gadd also it is less intense and more accessible for control. Forest Service promotes the effective, activity (Biswell 1994). Prescribed break in fact, act as a fire burns may, near the ground where that keeps fire Among these is prescribed burning. Prescribed burning has become an accepted ecosystem-management management tools available to address management tools available to address control. interface-community fire species, increased recreational access, species, increased recreational access, increased predation of wildlife, and irreparable damage from clearing techniques to the soil structure. wildland ecosystem. These include wildland ecosystem. accelerated and increased levels of erosion, the increase of invasive dry summers. Research has shown that forest clearing can have many negative impacts on the forest and inevitably they will continue to threaten inevitably they will communities forests and neighbouring due in part to the persistence of hot, flammable state given the degree of flammable state given Although we can fire suppression. of fires, try to prevent the severity reduce its intensity for better control. reduce its intensity as for fire, not address the potential the area in a harvesting may leave evacuations will be inevitable. SRD will be inevitable. evacuations this plan will not acknowledges that fire but would only serve to stop a large in a particularly bad fire season the bad fire in a particularly enough clearing will provide proposed and believes that to wildfire resistance and B.C. and the criticism they [SRD] they [SRD] criticism and the and B.C. done enough.” haven’t

To begin formulating this To In the end, it seems the fate of While some companies continue intensity of industrial development in Ambrock suggests, Alberta. However, “a common vision for everyone must be a healthy landscape.” He adds, “But we’re not doing a good job at getting it done.” supports the AWA common position, establishment of a provincial multi- stakeholder caribou committee (PCC) they will defer harvesting and road construction for two years within the range of the Little Smoky caribou herd This deferral will constitute range. approximately one-sixth of their Forest Area (FMA), or 250,000 Management This voluntary cubic meters of timber. delay in activity is intended to give the Alberta government time to adopt and implement recommendations from the This initiative follows Recovery Plan. who Weyerhaeuser, in the footsteps of have also elected to defer harvest in within the a portion of their FMA Narraway and RedRock/Prairie Creek caribou herd ranges until 2009. in the hands the caribou rests largely Ambrock of the provincial government. suggested that if stakeholders come to government with a common position on caribou, such an alliance would easier. job much make government’s common or shared vision for A caribou management may be difficult to achieve, given the pressure and developments within caribou ranges: developments within become an that is, can caribou Alberta of the integral component Advantage? to ignore the plight of the caribou, at least one company is making a surprise move on the caribou front. Starting in the 2005-2006 winter season, Canadian Forest Products (Canfor) announced

The Recovery Plan, which is What this seems to mean is that Companies profiting from the A lone caribou is silhouetted against the morning sky lone caribou is silhouetted A recover their populations and habitat? will they declare Most importantly, that caribou are important enough to defer oil and gas and other industrial principle, especially when the survival of a highly sensitive species is at stake. Although science may not yet dictate that industry should not be in the range, neither does it imply that industry should operate there. just an advisory document, is lagging behind the industrial activity on the ground and this may impact decisions the government makes. How strong to commitment will the government’s caribou be? How far will they go to the release of the Recovery Plan due to the risk placed on these animals. In made it clear that Talisman a nutshell, science falls short and even they are “not intelligent enough” to know the impact industry has on these ranges. “science has not yet implicated industry in the decline of the caribou within this region – therefore we still have the green light to proceed.” In of information any case, the deficiency should trigger the precautionary Minister stated in a letter to AWA, “I AWA, letter to Minister stated in a do realize that time is of the essence with respect to moving forward on caribou recovery actions.” delay in the release of the Recovery and Plan include Suncor Energy to plans Talisman Energy. Talisman build a 70-km pipeline through the ranges of the RedRock/Prairie Creek la Peche caribou herds in the A and requested that AWA spring of 2005. the company defer this project until STRUGGLES WITH WOODLAND CARIBOU WOODLAND WITH STRUGGLES FLOURISHES WHILE INDUSTRY FILE Conservation Biologist AWA By Lara Smandych, The possible within the next month. Recovery Plan are outcomes from the when the encouraging, particularly THE CARIBOU DILEMMA: GOVERNMENT GOVERNMENT DILEMMA: THE CARIBOU

While we wait for agreement “We need across the board “We At the meeting, AWA had the AWA At the meeting, In a meeting with environmental In a meeting with environmental

the release of the Recovery Plan by Minister of SRD David Coutts for the release of recommendations Caribou Woodland Alberta from the Recovery Plan (Recovery Plan). Environmental groups anticipate new developments within caribou range. Industry may seem even more eager these days as we continue to wait among government departments, industry continues to race ahead with the Department of Energy has not yet the Department of Energy scheduled a meeting with us to discuss caribou issues. to the Departments of Sustainable Resource Development (SRD) and AWA, Despite a request from Energy. within caribou ranges. agreement on the caribou policy,” Ambrock, referring in particular says many in industry tell us they have been many in industry tell us they have been wanting and waiting for: a policy to help direct the activities of industry other groups stressed that a strong policy commitment is required by government. Such a statement is what opportunity to discuss the protection of caribou populations and habitat, and AWA and their recovery. the future of Alberta’s threatened Alberta’s the future of caribou herds versus the “Alberta Advantage.” about caribou, the required decisions about caribou, the required decisions are complicated by ongoing industrial development. It is a clash of values: right now. We struggle on this file.” struggle on this file.” We right now. means that Ambrock By “struggle,” although the department is concerned Minister of Fish and Wildlife Ken Wildlife Minister of Fish and “The caribou file Ambrock admitted, is the most complex species file groups in February, Assistant Deputy groups in February, R.Sloan

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(AWA’s work in Primrose-Lakeland is work in Primrose-Lakeland (AWA’s The recognition by the provincial We must continue to move to move continue must We Aerial view of Lakeland government that tourism, particularly nature-related tourism, has an important role to play in the economic Alberta fits revitalization of rural well with what I hope will become a successful strategy in our Primrose- Lakeland campaign. Ivey Foundation.) supported by the Richard tourism. Tourism data, such as those Tourism tourism. gathered by Environment Canada in 1996, may be used to strengthen this developing rural interest in nature- Albertans Then related tourism. spent $1.2 billion on these activities, including more than $171 million on wildlife viewing. forward if we are to conserve Alberta’s Alberta’s are to conserve if we forward we need caribou herds, and remaining our choices carefully. to consider their committed to reducing “Industry not a decade ago, but it’s footprint past- Wallis, says Cliff happening,” “In the end we need AWA. president of We from industry. wilderness protected need to make a choice.” Mission Society also appears to be interested in promoting this type of

R. Thomas R. The Lac La Biche Historical There would The potential of eco- or In a letter, Minister Coutts said Minister Coutts In a letter, of nature-related tourism, birding and canoeing, as part of Lakeland’s “industry of the future.” Alberta generally, Alberta generally, and in the Lakeland area in particular. The Griffiths Report, for example, noted that “many rural Albertans see environmentalism as an opportunity for economic growth, for example through eco-tourism production.” and alternate energy In the Lakeland area, the Lac La Biche Community Futures Centre two prime examples has identified if carried out responsibly, can inject if carried out responsibly, genuine meaning into the concept of sustainable development. It is tourism that also has been shown to be more appealing when it is conducted in protected areas. seem to be latent support for this type of tourism in rural By Ian Urquhart Alberta. rural nature-related tourism ventures in the Lakeland area should figure prominently in this approach. Nature- related tourism remains one of the strongest growth segments in the global tourism business. It is tourism that, that his announcement on the Recovery on the that his announcement include recommendations Plan would of a single the establishment regarding committee. He provincial caribou patience on also asked for continued the matter. AND SENSE OF THE DOLLARS PRIMROSE-LAKELAND is undertaken, d) integrated access access d) integrated is undertaken, new and e) no planning, management activity allocations.

What do these economic The threats may appear as a A frustrating aspect of protected frustrating aspect A To be effective, a common a be effective, To ways of marrying conservation to in economic growth and diversification suggest they mean that if we want to build local support in communities such as Lac La Biche for our conservation objectives, we must find dimensions of and perspectives on Alberta mean for the rural today’s Primrose-Lakeland campaign? I would cousins, disproportionately bear the costs of environmental stewardship. conservation proposals. This criticism This conservation proposals. Albertans is magnified when rural not their big city feel that they, more urban centres. Whatever shape more urban centres. it assumes, the threat to the future of rural communities feeds criticism of declining/aging population, as incomes declining/aging population, as incomes that are markedly lower than those or as economic growth of the city, rates that lag behind those of larger, Griffiths Report), the viability of many Griffiths Report), the viability of many of our rural communities is threatened. part, it arises because, as the MLA part, it arises because, as the MLA Steering Committee Report on Rural Development reported last year (the are criticized for the economic damage are criticized for the economic damage they may cause. Such criticism Alberta. In large often arises in rural wage their campaigns on the landscape wage their campaigns on the landscape occupied by one or another incarnation Invariably, Almighty Dollar. of the wilderness protected areas proposals areas campaigns is the perennial opponents to tendency for protection’s range assessments and restoration range assessments b) the implementation of caribou of caribou b) the implementation activities, c) habitat restoration activities while deferral of industrial position must include: a) a long- position must to the protection term commitment of caribou ranges, of a portion to manage Alberta’s remaining remaining Alberta’s to manage herds. caribou L. Smandych L.

to haul road within 24 hours 24 within road haul to The issue remains however, who The issue remains however, review the complete report, see To a year about he mine’s mitigation measures of environmental impacts. • on roads without No use of salt written permission by Director of Environmental. Requests for use must be accompanied by an analysis of the impacts of salt on wildlife. Many conditions and Many conditions and • public twice Inform affected Haulroad to Cheviot Mine Haulroad will monitor the company to ensure compliance. http://www3.gov.ab.ca/eab/dec/03-150- 152-R.pdf wildlife impact, the AEAB believes the AEAB wildlife impact, the the impact on haul road has “changed wildlife from grizzly bears and other design.” in the original those identified been attached recommendations have to the mine to the approval given include: These company. • must company The report any wildlife mortalities in relation of the occurrence and make recommendations for avoiding future mortalities. In many instances, the impacts The AEAB stated The The Migratory Bird Convention The Migratory Bird The first phase of the judicial Minister April 8, 2005, the On from the new haul road were found to be more severe and some still unknown due to lack of information and assessment. For example, in regards to that, in many instances, the Environment Director did not have all the relevant information needed to make a proper decision for the approval of the application. AEAB Furthermore, the that this is the first identified approval that has come before them where the assessment of impacts and design of mitigation measures were not done prior to the approval. the Alberta Environmental Appeals Alberta Environmental the AEAB determined The Board (AEAB). that some aspects of the new design of the Cheviot mine haul road Ben Mr. negatively affect Gadd in terms of the use and enjoyment of the local wilderness areas and that the impacts of the new Cheviot mine project in many cases, from those of are different the original project. Act is a critical piece of legislation. Rather than challenging our case, CRC should re-evaluate their project and accommodate these important and This may show CRC to sensitive birds. be a better corporate citizen. review is scheduled to begin on June 14, 2005 in Edmonton. Guy Boutilier, of Environment, Mr. approved recommendations made by migratory birds and their habitat. If you migratory birds and where a species lives, you protect can’t have any species to conserve,” won’t protection of says Howard. “The federal matter migratory birds is a requiring federal of national concern provincial leadership, not a piecemeal approach.” WITH COURT CASES IN TOW IN CASES COURT WITH Biologist Conservation AWA Smandych, By Lara CHEVIOT MINE IN OPERATION IN OPERATION MINE CHEVIOT “The proper implementation of CRC argues that the regulations that the regulations CRC argues “A constitutional challenge is constitutional challenge “A In 2004 the ENGO coalition In February, lawyers for Cardinal lawyers for In February, While Elk Valley Coal (EVC) Valley While Elk the Act is essential to the protection of the bird habitat is not an issue of sufficient bird habitat is not an issue of sufficient national importance to make it something the federal government would regulate. Alberta’s ability to regulate provincial Alberta’s This argument lands and wildlife. implies that the protection of migratory prohibiting the destruction of migratory bird habitat, including waters used by migratory birds, interferes with regulate issues of national concern like the loss of transboundary bird species.” Howard. “Our argument says that the says Howard. “Our argument federal government does have that power because, among others, it can really saying ‘when you look at the list of things the feds have power over under the constitution, migratory birds Tim are not on it,’” says SLDF lawyer, in the destruction of sensitive migratory in the destruction of sensitive migratory bird habitat and is therefore illegal. under it designed to protect migratory under it designed to protect migratory that bird habitat. SLDF lawyers argue the authorization of activity will result (first phase of mine development) contravenes the Federal Migratory Bird regulations made Act and Convention launched a legal challenge that that the included the argument federal government authorization of the Cheviot Creek Development intends to argue that the sections are intends to argue beyond federal government powers. constitutional validity of the sections of constitutional validity of the sections the Migratory Bird Regulations that we CRC counsil rely on in our argument. River Coal (CRC) served a Notice of River Coal (CRC) Constitutional Question challenging the Legal Defence Fund (SLDF) on behalf Legal Defence Fund including of environmental groups, has taken a new turn. AWA, mining trucks have begun hauling coal mining trucks have Pit area, a from the Cheviot Creek by Sierra filed federal judicial review

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WILDERNESS WATCH WLA April 2005 • Vol.13, No.2 19 C. Bruun C.

The current model used for Scientist Loys Maingon, in a Biologists Newsletter, Fall 2003). Biologists Newsletter, forest management, sustainable yield, will not maintain sustainable forests, he says. “The model should be a transition to increased agroforestry to meet wood resource needs, and the creation of vast interconnected biotic reserves to maintain ecosystem services and biodiversity.” review of a draft of the NFS, noted that “although it claims to formulate a forest strategy based on the best available science, [the NFS] is primarily an economic and political document in which science plays a tertiary role, although science is claimed to be the guiding principle” (Canadian Society of Environmental all stakeholders to move towards the all stakeholders to the Strategy’s implementation for policy reform and objectives, through management improved on-the-ground Rachel Club’s practices,” says Sierra will is fuelled by Plotkin. “Political the public,” she adds.

that deal with public that deal with public system of protected areas; and “Ultimately it is just words on ecosystems. Accommodating aboriginal (3) Environmental groups recognize Specific commitments of the • integrated land use planning before tenure allocations; • maintaining natural forested ecosystems; • completing a representative • conserving old-growth forests and threatened forest (1) Comprehensive information (1) Comprehensive heritage, As stewards of forest (2) Two of the principles of Two Accord action. paper unless there is the political will from government, industry and Adopting policies and actions (2) that support forest-based community sustainability. and treaty rights in the sustainable use of the forest. that the 2003–2008 NFS is a significant improvement over past strategies, but are concerned that because the commitments are not legally binding they may not be followed up with and results. NFS include: (1) Ecosystem-based management of natural forests including: about the state of the forest and the social well-being, environmental services, and economic wealth that are derived from forest conservation and use must be available publicly. Canadians continually seek: to improve the quality of information, public involvement, and reporting; to promote the public accountability of all those involved in forest conservation and use; and to communicate their vision, goals, developed with extensive consultation developed with extensive community, with the broad forest is voluntary. but its implementation that one the first The current NFS is with the active has been developed environmental involvement of major groups. the involvement are:

Accord . Alberta . (NFS) as will continue Canada so far. It commits signatories so far. The NFS is a consensus document The 2003–2008 NFS is the fifth More than 60 aboriginal, industry, More than 60 aboriginal, industry, The NFSC describes the “We are optimistic that Alberta are optimistic that “We Representatives of Alberta Representatives of Alberta and Quebec are the Alberta and Quebec By Shirley Bray By Shirley ALBERTA REFUSES TO SIGN CANADA FOREST ACCORD FOREST CANADA SIGN TO REFUSES ALBERTA of the strategies. governmental and non-governmental the was formed by organizations, Canadian Council of Forest Ministers in 1992 to oversee the implementation back to 1981 that outline broad goals and objectives for the forest sector of The NFSC, composed in Canada. economic well-being of all Canadians. in a line of forest strategies dating to maintain Canada’s forest health for forest health to maintain Canada’s of all living things and for the benefit the social, cultural, environmental, and government, and environmental third have signed this organizations Accord facing our forest, while using the Strategy National Forest the reference document.” diverse groups with different diverse groups with different perspectives and objectives to work together on a solution to the challenges and wildlife adequately protected.” as “a formal commitment among to endanger Alberta’s forests and be a Alberta’s to endanger Albertans disservice to the millions of who want to see natural ecosystems will reconsider its position and sign on to this important forest strategy,” “Failure to commit to the Wallis. says Strategy National Forest the principle, and he encouraged the government to sign on. Cliff Wallis advised them that AWA AWA advised them that Wallis Cliff Accord did not agree with all of the but that we did agree with either, told AWA in a meeting in March 2005 in a meeting in March 2005 AWA told agree with some that they could not Past-president AWA of the wording. Coalition (NFSC) in early March. Coalition (NFSC) Development Sustainable Resource have refused to sign the have refused to sign 2003-2008 Accord Forest at the annual was noticeably absent Forest Strategy meeting of the National only two Canadian jurisdictions that only two Canadian N. Douglas N.

(March 16, 2005). SRD managers continually refer “Bear hunters want direct to the “conservative” management of Millson Alberta. Ron grizzly bears in told a concerned citizen in a recent telephone conversation that SRD decision was Minister David Coutts’s recommendations” based on “staff make and that he (Millson) “won’t any decision that will harm bear populations.” He admits that SRD experience of nature because they see life as an adventure,“ writes Barry Cooper of the Fraser Institute in the Calgary Herald “This is why the spring grizzly hunt Alberta expresses a hardiness in – yea, a manliness – that can yet be celebrated.” Is this all it comes down to: testosterone? rate is potentially increased by harvest rate is potentially increased kill and eat young of adult males that ridiculous grizzlies”); to the faintly provides information (“Hunting harvest maintains a about bears” and “Hunting of people who knowledgeable group Alberta’s for are strong advocates grizzly population”). railway line outside Lake Louise A female grizzly and two cubs on the A

While the science continues to But the range from the supportable (“There is a long-standing hunting tradition and a high demand”); to the scientifically insupportable (“The population growth in transportation-related accidents, and three were killed as “nuisance” other “nuisance” bears were Two bears. captured and removed from the population. point to a struggling grizzly population the for Alberta, the justification in grizzly hunt becomes more and more Alberta site for Web The peculiar. Sustainable Resource Development (SRD) lists a number of reasons for These continuing with the grizzly hunt. that 75 per cent of female deaths and 86 per cent of male deaths were human-caused. Of the 18 grizzly bears that were removed from the population during only the study, three died of natural causes. Four were legally killed, two were illegally killed, two were shot in self defence, two died 4.4 years between This is a low litters. rate of productivity by any standard, reinforcing the importance of keeping mortality of bears, particularly females, as low as possible. report also found study into grizzly bears in the Banff in the Banff study into grizzly bears Country National Park/Kananaskis aspect of grizzly area. One important in this report bear biology highlighted low productivity of is the surprisingly Females produced bears in the region. litter at an average their first surviving 1.84 cubs, 8.4 years. Litters averaged with an interval of

In February 2005, the Eastern “If the government wants to “Most knowledgeable scientists scientists knowledgeable “Most April 1 (appropriately enough) The grizzly bear hunt has certainly The grizzly bear hunt By Nigel Douglas, AWA Conservation Specialist Conservation AWA Douglas, By Nigel HOW MUCH POLITICKING WENT INTO GRIZZLY HUNT DECISION? HUNT GRIZZLY INTO WENT MUCH POLITICKING HOW Slopes Grizzly Bear Project issued a report summarizing its nine-year Committee, which have both recommended an immediate suspension of the hunt. to that of the provincial Grizzly Bear and the government’s Team Recovery Endangered Species Conservation grizzly bear habitat vital to the species survival, and stop the hunt,” says the voice is added The scientists’ letter. reverse this trend, they need to control human sincerely and effectively activity that threatens bears, protect species under the province’s province’s the under species Act. Wildlife Award-winner Dr. David Schindler, Schindler, David Dr. Award-winner 2005 March in letter a released who to government Alberta the urging “threatened” a as bear grizzly the list Dr. Paquet is one of a group of of group a of one is Paquet Dr. Stephen Dr. including scientists, Killam and Suzuki, David Dr. Herrero, Alberta is on a slow slide to extinction,” extinction,” to slide slow a on is Alberta the of director Paquet, Paul Dr. says Project. Bear Grizzly Slopes Eastern bear population continues to struggle. in bear grizzly the that agree will will be issued to allow 73 hunters the will be issued to allow 73 hunters the opportunity to hunt grizzlies between April 1 and May 31. Meanwhile, the grizzly Alberta’s evidence mounts that marks the beginning of the 2005 spring grizzly bear hunt. Licences of the senior staff who advised going of the senior staff ahead with the hunt, admitted that no decision is made without politics. Millson, Head of Wildlife Allocation Wildlife Millson, Head of Alberta Sustainable and Use at Resource Development (SRD) and one authoritative group of scientists wants authoritative group hunt is going ahead it stopped. But the then, that Ron as planned. No surprise, roused the passions of people both for roused the passions Alberta Fish the While and against it. Association are for the hunt, and Game on their side, an claiming science is

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, June

High Country News No wild deer in Alberta have No wild deer in Although the culling strategy has “It’s all about values,” says writer writer says about values,” all “It’s know your Let the government be can release news and letter scientists’ (The www.actionworks.ca/albertagrizzlies/blog.html.) to CWD ( 10/02). He warns that “you’re going to be culling deer in perpetuity” because no animal disease like CWD has ever been completely eradicated. been found to be infected yet, but Saskatchewan biologists found that even in an area where the disease is known to be present, they had province, 40 game farms have been proven infected with CWD and some 8,000 animals have already to been destroyed. In spite of efforts eradicate it on game farms, CWD has spread to the wild, with at least 57 Culling deer cases already confirmed. Alberta side only has raised on the concerns that infected deer from Saskatchewan will simply migrate to the newly vacated area. Charles Southwick, a lot of support, Dr. professor emeritus of biology at the University of Colorado, points out that culls also kill healthy animals, some of whom may have genetic resistance Jeff Gailus. “Albertans, and Canadians, and Canadians, “Albertans, Gailus. Jeff to allow whether they want must decide by their manliness’ men to ‘express develop and continue to killing bears, of habitat to the point grizzly bear west further north and pushing them out of the province and, eventually, Or do they want to live in altogether. that have the a province of citizens wisdom to restrain thoughtfulness and to allow grizzly their egos and appetites water and other bears, and the clean them, to remain species that accompany part of our heritage?” grizzly bears. concerns about our found be can blog Gailus’s Jeff website. our on found at The latest cull of deer was Minister of Alberta Agriculture, Alberta Minister of While following the trouble of While following the prompted by the discovery of four CWD-infected wild deer near the border in Saskatchewan. In that that the game farming industry was uneconomic, game farmers admit it’s dead, and world markets are at a low point. Even New Zealand deer farmers, game Alberta who could out-compete are in trouble. Horner farmers any day, be irresponsible to thinks that it’s concerned about the health risks of and that fear-mongering, CWD, that it’s to the “entrepreneurial an affront it’s attitude” of game farmers. But no knowledgeable wildlife scientist would back him up. it could be of far greater risk than mad it could be of far greater risk than mad cow disease (BSE). Food and Rural Development (AAFRD), Doug Horner said in the legislature in March that the intent is to encourage government’s and build this “valued” industry in Agriculture spite of the fact that former Minister Shirley McClellan admitted experience, the one major note of experience, the one optimism is that we know exactly why are in trouble, grizzly bears Alberta’s and we know exactly what we need the grizzly Yet to do to recover them. remains in trouble. habitat with no other sources of human no other sources habitat with Alberta! isn’t which certainly mortality, four study recorded The ESGBP of 18 human-caused hunting deaths out Slopes Eastern Alberta’s mortalities. habitat; do not represent “optimal” “moderate” habitat. probably not even includes many Human-caused mortality hunt, including road factors besides the “nuisance” bears. deaths, poaching, and grizzly bears over the years Alberta’s frustrating has been an extremely hunting harvest is only a part of is only harvest hunting his view, In mortality.” “human-caused would hunting harvest a 5 per cent acceptable in optimum be (nearly) Managing According By Shirley Bray GOVERNMENT MUST ACKNOWLEDGE HEALTH RISK OF CWD HEALTH ACKNOWLEDGE MUST GOVERNMENT FARMS AND DANGER OF GAME Instead of shutting down the For the third time in five years, the For the third time in five As justification, he cited a 1993 As justification, he Millson doesn’t think hunting think Millson doesn’t been proven yet, experts agree that possible and that if it does occur, it’s to government negligence, our tax dollars are being wasted and our wildlife continues to be put in jeopardy. Although no human form of CWD has and uneconomic. Over $100 million has been spent dealing with CWD Thanks on Canadian game farms. captive deer and throwing millions of dollars in additional subsidies into an industry they know is dangerous industry and dealing with CWD once and for all, the government is reopening the border to imports of and spread the disease. CWD is not an indigenous disease – it was imported. deer in Alberta. The government Alberta. deer in refuses to acknowledge that CWD in wild deer in Canada has originated with deer on game farms, which foster of deer near the Alberta-Saskatchewan of deer near the to limit the advance border in an effort Disease to wild Wasting of Chronic Alberta government is culling hundreds Alberta government is culling hundreds caused mortality” is acceptable, but of grizzly bears given uncertainty in population parameters. to McLoughlin 4.8 per cent “human- report by P. D. McLoughlin, report by P. risk of decline for hunted populations that even a population of only 250 that even a population a hunting harvest bears can withstand indefinitely. of 10 bears per year there are thousands more in B.C. and there are thousands most He stated that Territories. the 5 to 6 per cent jurisdictions use a as standard, adding annual hunting rate harms grizzly populations and blames populations and harms grizzly And if loss. their decline on habitat Alberta, well, from grizzlies disappear complaints they receive, especially they receive, especially complaints from farmers. does not have really good population population really good not have does of a good idea they get but thinks data the bear population from the grizzly

High Milwaukee Outdoor Canada, Dec. 2003), just as June 10/02). Nebraska June 10/02). Nebraska A 2000 Health Canada report A It’s not likely that volunteers not likely that volunteers It’s Patrick Bosque, an assistant Wildlife scientist Dr. Valerius Valerius Dr. scientist Wildlife Prion disease experts at the it took years for scientists to conclude that humans could contract a form of mad cow disease. Until then, he said, it is reasonable to assume that if enough people are exposed to the disease, over time at least a small number will get sick. He said that statements suggesting evidence that there is no scientific CWD can infect humans are deceptive. Center for Disease Control in the U.S. Center for Disease Control in the U.S. are investigating the case of three hunters in their 50s and Wisconsin 60s who often ate venison and all died of neurological diseases, two of them from Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease and tested, be can’t meat the (CJD). But researchers can only speculate as to the source of the diseases. would line up to eat CWD-infected venison for the sake of science. So researchers are stuck using other methods. Researchers at the University have found that CWD Wisconsin of prions are able to convert normal human prions to the abnormal diseased form at about the same rate as BSE prions. Other experiments are using mice with human brain tissue. University the at neurology of professor of Colorado Denver Health Hospital, said it could take years to prove whether people are at risk ( Journal Sentinel, like to see brain tissue from the tissue from see brain like to back into injected cattle surviving see if cattle and deer to uninfected CWD. they contract of out that only humans Geist points genetic makeup become a specific possible is it that and BSE with infected cattle might that the experimental ( have been resistant Katherine O’Rourke, a 2003). Dr. the U.S. Dept. of microbiologist with the genetic Agriculture is studying and elk to CWD susceptibility of deer gene combination and has found one resistant ( that is particularly Country News, Michael McDonnell elk researcher Dr. makes believes that a copper deficiency animals more susceptible to CWD. He also thinks that organophosphate pesticides might cause mutation of healthy prions into malignant ones.

WLA showing that It was only in Nature published their results in CWD is transmitted horizontally from animal to animal. Her team is investigating the potential for spread through urine and feces. If this is found to be the case, unregulated urine and fecal scent products obtained from captive elk and deer and used by hunters could help spread the prions and bring them the disease can incubate the disease and because there is no test for live Although it animals. in was first discovered a Colorado research facility in 1967 and as a one first identified of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) in 1977 by Beth the late Dr. much remains Williams, to be learned. and Williams 2003 that colleague Mike Miller in contact with humans. Other research shows that CWD can remain National Institute of Heath Although highly infectious in infectious highly Although evidence that CWD can cross to cattle except by direct from elk and deer, injection of infected brain tissue into the brains of the cattle. Race would in the environment for years after infected animals and even topsoil have been removed from the area (see October 2003). Race TSE expert Richard scientist and has found that some species can be TSEs and can transmit carriers for them to susceptible species. He is investigating the molecular species may not stop which may or barrier, CWD from infecting other species, found no Williams including humans. of the expense of caring for large large of caring for of the expense that over the long periods mammals wildlife populations, especially those those especially populations, wildlife to CWD is difficult in close quarters, because is expensive partly study and A whitetail deer where it belongs – in the wild deer where whitetail A Only three CWD-infected animals

cervid farms not in compliance, how many cases have gone undetected? How many captive animals, possibly carrying CWD, have escaped into the wild, been released by desperate game farmers, or interacted with wild deer? the first case of CWD was discovered The compliance Alberta. in northern rate for the Mandatory Program for October 2003 to 2004 was 88 per cent for elk and only 57 per cent for deer. AAFRD is investigating Although have been found on Alberta game farms have been found on Surveillance CWD Alberta’s so far. Program for game-farmed animals became mandatory only in 2002 when elk and deer from roadkills and hunters, from roadkills elk and deer required to but not who are encouraged areas. from specific submit heads, to examine a lot of brains before before of brains a lot to examine Passive with CWD. one discovering includes testing Alberta in surveillance V. Pharis V.

WILDERNESS WATCH WLA April 2005 • Vol.13, No.2 22 FEATURE ARTIST WLA April 2005 • Vol.13, No.2 23

Webb (Griffiths) began began (Griffiths) Webb While in high school, concern about being able to earn a living, combined with her led her interest in natural history, or machines,” she says. “When I was in school I put illustrations of animals in any assignment I could squeeze them into.” and teens late her in painting period long a following 20s, early addition In drawing. pencil of pen-and-ink and pencil her to acrylic with works she drawings, transparent and gouache, paints, watercolour. she harboured a desire to be a professional artist; however, Premier Klein has never followed Premier Klein has

to earn a BSc in ecology at Queen’s to earn a BSc in ecology at Queen’s “I thought by doing that, I’d University. be able to earn a living and continue doing art at the same time,” she says. an artist Albert Hochbaum, “People like Waterfowl and director of the Delta Research Station, and [British drew as a youngster. “I’ve never been drew as a youngster. interested in drawing houses or people possible and provide funding for proper for funding and provide possible and procedures decontamination surveillance and monitoring. long-term farming on game decisions But so far, based on rational have not been the certainly not on thought and principle. precautionary promise that through on his written to putting the he is “fully committed of privatization/commercialization a thorough and wildlife issue through In the legislature public assessment.” has indeed in March he said, “That As a matter of fact, there been done. in caucus ... was a great debate farming so much relative to not game wildlife that is as game shooting of domesticated on game farms.” If that’s how the premier keeps his promise, be ready to shell out millions more for this boondoggle. (In These These (In © Deidre E. Webb © Deidre Mad Cow USA Wolverine in Beaver Country in Beaver Country Wolverine That interest in nature also If the government is serious “A worst-case scenario can be scenario can be worst-case “A notes helps bring back the situation very clearly.” expressed itself in the topics she “I started keeping records of my and have done so observations at 11 virtually ever since. Re-reading the real interest in something when you’re real interest in something when you’re young, it never leaves you,” she says. dementia spread through kissing.” dementia spread through about eliminating CWD, it must eliminate game farming as soon as actions of governments,” wrote John governments,” wrote actions of the director for executive Stauber, and Media and Democracy Center for co-author of “For Magazine, Jan. 15/05). Times disease does not example, mad cow animal to animal. appear to spread from disease in North But the equivalent elk, CWD, does American deer and infectious. appear to be horizontally infect another One deer can apparently The nightmare: through saliva or feces. of a fatal human the emergence to the health department discovering it discovering health department to the had CWD. the and should inform imagined, While the best she provided or could, an information growing up, her mother – a teacher – took her questions seriously and answered them Deirdre was source, rather than dismiss her daughter

WITH PASSION FOR NATURE, SCIENTIFIC TRAINING SCIENTIFIC FOR NATURE, WITH PASSION By John Geary ATHABASCA ARTIST COMBINES LOVE OF ART ART COMBINES LOVE OF ARTIST ATHABASCA (Griffiths) That fertilized her natural Deirdre Webb’s (Griffiths) lifelong Webb’s Deirdre Deirdre Webb Webb Deirdre into a passionate interest in birds at a very early age. “If you cultivate a moon at home?” or “Why is the ocean sometimes blue and sometimes green?” which in turn developed curiosity, like many parents might do when asked, “Is that moon the same as the her early childhood with experiences her early childhood with experiences that fostered rather than hindered that interest. interest in natural history was forged in in interest in natural history was forged Department in New York and served and served York Department in New Feast prior Annual Sportsmen’s at its elk carcasses might have entered the elk carcasses might a white-tailed food chain. Just recently, Fire Verona deer was donated to the the food chain. The Canadian Food the food chain. Agency admitted in 2004 Inspection CWD-infected that as many as 110 from the human food chain all products from the human food of or infected from animals suspected Unfortunately, with any prion disease. have entered CWD infected animals elk farms, were identified as a high- were identified elk farms, Health World The risk product. recommends excluding Organization of TSE risk to humans must now TSE risk to humans of food Elk antler be acknowledged.” from the main product supplements, states that “both animals and humans and humans animals that “both states forms by various infected can be possibility TSE,” and that “the of

Snipe and Chicks © Deidre E. Webb © Deidre Right now, her subject focus is Right now, While she plans to spend more She continued to live near She continued is to Another major focus “I want them to feel they are there, or at least, looking through a window and seeing something happening outside.” the boreal forest. She plans to do 25 or 30 paintings. time just painting, she still keeps a hand in the conservation arena. “I’m always going to be interested in Crooked Lake, its environs and watershed. Hopefully we’ll be able to secure long-term protection for it, one way or another.” the Canadian Wildlife Service, which which Service, Wildlife the Canadian a to do her in 1985 commissioned for pencil drawings series of coloured about northern four broadsheets river deltas. the until 2001, when Elk Island While north beckoned again. at Crooked working on a project Athabasca, in 1998, she Lake, near part of the fell in love with that settling down province, eventually She is now just outside the town. Otter Haven working on establishing Studio there. that represent produce paintings carrying on animals behaving and their lives in their natural habitat. “I want to try to speak to the viewer so they see the painting as an animal living its natural life, without first thinking of it as a painting or looking for the artist signature,” she says.

Although Webb Webb Although She thought then she She thought then she Her love for the park (Griffiths) Webb (Griffiths) worked as a park naturalist for less than four years, she always had a love consulting career. to find would finally be able time to paint, but again, to everything else seemed her time. monopolize most of She did manage to get some painting done during this mid-1970s period though, and her work gradually gained exposure in art tours and in the provincial museum. about the park, Island Forest which came out in 1979, Year, a combination of text and pen-and-ink illustrations that takes readers through one season in Elk Island. continued long after she stopped working as its naturalist. She illustrated book, Judith Cornish’s in Elk Finding Birds Island National Park, That published in 1988. is her last piece of work related to the park, to date. for Elk Island and its western parkland. During the 1970s, she began working on a book Webb (Griffiths) worked there (Griffiths) Webb During her time there, she produced two paintings of pelicans, one WWF art of which sold at a auction. She also connected with first became involved in Alberta Alberta first became involved in areas north of Elk Island during the early 1980s. She was one of many conservationists opposed to the proposed Slave River hydroelectric dam project, which was eventually shelved. of Edmonton. did a half years, but for three and While to paint. not find much time husband, there, she met her future Griffiths, entomologist Graham park service, and eventually left the his ecological became involved in more permanent employment, she she employment, permanent more and service park to the national wrote in a job as a park naturalist obtained km east National Park, 40 Elk Island

Marten in Winter Marten in Winter © Deidre E. Webb © Deidre © Deidre E. Webb © Deidre Redpolls Eating Birch Seeds Redpolls Eating Birch As she went further down Of course, like many of the Of course, specialization and research time if not required made it very difficult, downright impossible, to do both art and science. She worked at several jobs for a while, doing some illustrating and ecological surveying. Seeking biological research was in its infancy, biological research was in its infancy, and it was possible to do both careers.” the biology-ecology career path, she discovered that the intense late. They were already in mid-career They late. They had out. when I was starting ecological and started at a time when me. I thought if they can do it, I can if they can do me. I thought do it.” plans of mice and men, best-laid turn out as she things did not quite about 50 years too envisioned. “I was conservationist and] artist Peter Scott, Peter Scott, and] artist conservationist Fund Wildlife World of the [a founder inspired of its panda logo] and designer

FEATURE ARTIST WLA April 2005 • Vol.13, No.2 24 ASSOCIATIONLETTERSAROUND ALBERTA NEWS WLA April 2005 • Vol.13, No.2 25 25

Harper’s Harper’s , Jan./Feb. 2005), “is not , Sept. 2004). “I never learned Orion In “Tentacles of Rage,” Lewis In “Tentacles “The lesson of Thoreau,” writes “The lesson of the nature of any state that does not conform to the state of nature.” Uniting the Right H. Lapham traces the history of the “Republican propaganda mill” from the 1960s to the present ( Magazine how to make sense of the weird and AWA. His constituent, not wanting to AWA. to listen to a tedious repeat, decided not at that moment that he had Taylor tell Taylor AWA. just become a Director for still thinks building the Meridian Dam is a good idea, even though it has been shown to be a bad idea economically and environmentally. Thoreau The Lesson of the by Conscience “The in Hayden Tom Pond” ( that environmentalists and nonviolent spiritual seekers should retreat from racism, and the worlds of poverty, simplicity or focus on voluntary war, alone as the antidote to consumption. to he seems Their natural dignity, requires that they understand argue, themselves as carriers of a ‘wildness’ call that resists all bondage....Thoreau’s is to live heroically as nature does, to feel both the inner and outer as one, to link personal self-reliance with direct action in the world, and to resist advocates for the environment “but advocates for the environment Alberta like the an organization ... isn’t. Association Wilderness attack, you When you attack, attack, and leave corner, back people into a them with no choice but to come out fighting.” Build relationships, he says, try to understand where others are This is the same coming from. Hmmm. who once treated one of his Taylor constituents to a 15-minute tirade about Prairie (Dec.-Jan. 2005), outgoing In an interview with According to the government Jason Cadzow from Fish and “It would appear that someone Peak News Taylor Environment Minister Lorne said he sees some groups as effective Wildlife in Canmore is looking into in Canmore Wildlife the incident. But when Foster last took they his two dogs out the Sanctuary, both almost died. It turned out they unknowingly walked through an illegal dump of lethal leftovers from a meth lab near Cremona. “wildlife sanctuaries are established only to control hunting, not other activities” (Hansard, June 25/92) AWA Attack of the bait predators with the intention of He poisoning them,” says Foster. found two more areas where dead cows feel this is had been dumped. “We Albertans that love as we an atrocity, and cherish our wilderness and enjoy the opportunity to walk through and see the wildlife in their natural habitat are being deprived of this experience by someone with no respect for other humans or any animal wild or tame that unsuspectingly travels through.” returned to the Sanctuary and saw returned to the Sanctuary four dead cows that had been dumped approximately two kms inside the area, the road. Right just a little distance off week A beside them was a dead wolf. later the wolf carcass mysteriously disappeared, but the foam on the muzzle of the wolf appeared the same as the foam that was coming out of the mouth of the dog that died there two years ago. has taken it upon themselves to suspected poison. They noticed a suspected poison. on the ground in bloated cow carcass had come from. the direction the dog two years, they After an absence of Trumpeter swans, visible on the extreme left (downstream) end of an island of ice that end left (downstream) swans, visible on the extreme Trumpeter 2005. seen on January 4, as they were pictured are River, formed in the Crowsnest of the 1903 Frank Slide. part are distant boulders The more HEARD AROUND ALBERTA AROUND HEARD

(Submitted by Two years ago one of Foster’s years ago one of Foster’s Two On the Herald Creek Wildlife Wildlife On the Herald Creek According to the 2004 Alberta According to the 2004 Two trumpeter swans (an Two

at the mouth, within ten minutes after symptoms started. He and his wife a local resident who used to enjoy walking his dogs there. dogs died, disoriented and foaming in the bush to attract predators to the poison pellets that they have strewn around the area, says Barry Foster, way stop in Water Valley on the Little Valley Water way stop in Red River Road, someone has taken it upon themselves to dump dead cows Wildlife Sanctuary 23.5 kms west of the four- at www.cd.gov.ab.ca. for Sanctuary Unsafe Wildlife leisure-time activities are walking, gardening, crafts or hobbies, attending sports events, and attending fairs or festivals. Survey results can be found by Albertans by the top five Recreation Survey, David McIntyre.) Activity Leisure Top Named Walking flights as the two birds expanded their flights as the two birds expanded their access to open water and enhanced feeding opportunities. January, the swans remained within January, their chosen Crowsnest River valley wintering area until spring, when local residents were treated to low-level the historic rockslide. While coyotes the historic rockslide. diminishing encroached on the birds’ access to open water during early a lake-like portion of the Crowsnest directly below the summit of River, of Mountain, within the margin Turtle 1903 Frank Slide, in the Alberta in the 1903 Frank Slide, The Pass. community of Crowsnest swans concentrated their activities on adult and one cygnet) spent the past adult and one cygnet) of the winter within the footprint Trumpeter Swans Winter in in Winter Swans Trumpeter Pass Crowsnest

McIntyre D.

There are several problems with Again, I am surprised that a – Reg Ernst displaces bears from many areas they need. his assumptions stated in his letter. Most of them are to do with his being content with popular belief and the status quo. I got exploring popular belief because I saw problems for the bear with what was always stated as fact about them. In particular, more. Wildlife and people should Wildlife more. remain totally separated whenever possible; interference is only warranted when it is absolutely necessary. program like Charlie Russell’s, which seems so contrary to the best interests of natural systems, is not of being recognized as a conflict interest by groups whose mission it is to promote wilderness. Is taming from grizzly bears so much different game farming? because they have never tried to do the They would rather curtail that. ago I took it on Years activities. bears’ to try to understand if all this harshness was really necessary because it the authors invariably found the same the found invariably the authors – money in the tale lesson abiding them rich people, making ennobles corrupts well as wise; money strong as as making them stupid poor people, well as weak.” symbol will most certainly detract from wilderness. Natural systems need less contact with humans, not

People like Mr. Ernst have People like Mr. Let bears be wild. The best way Let bears be wild. and keeping them that way in order to keep people and bears separate. I understand their worries, but it is the people they can not control, mostly it that it was counter-productive by it that it was counter-productive to the not being very beneficial grizzly bear. always used the word “respect” what I think interchangeably with fear. he describes on his park jaunts are fearful bears, not necessarily wild or they not Why would respectful bears. As he says, much of the Park’s be? fearful goes into making them energy to lick my hand like a dog. I want to see him running wild and free in his natural habitat the way he is meant to. I believe that habituating bears to humans provides only costs with no benefits. Precious resources are wasted that would be better used to tracts of suitable habitat protect large where grizzlies can continue to function as a great symbol of this great Tarnishing wilderness. semi-domesticated grizzly bear? they Wouldn’t Who wants them? become a nuisance? National parks sums of money trying to spend large of habituation. undo the effects predators to for humans and large coexist is through mutual respect and want a grizzly I don’t yes, some fear. the authorities agreed, and no matter agreed, and no the authorities from ... words were coming where the principle except a certain belief that belief that a certain except principle and people for rich was good money people,” he concludes. bad for poor all only point on which “It was the

ASSESSING HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS WITH BEARS: WITH BEARS: HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS ASSESSING VIEW OF POINT CHARLIE RUSSELL’S Charlie Russell in Kamchatka

In response to the letter sent to Besides the obvious ethical There is nothing novel about I am puzzled and disappointed survive in that setting. At one time I At one survive in that setting. did the same, but I eventually realized among their ranks who have also long used the grizzly bear as a tool to win hard-fought battles to secure wilderness by insisting that these bears can only see some merit in what I am doing, AWA, including the executive of the even though there are probably some him that I talk to many people around the world about this issue and that there are an amazing number who you by Reg Ernst, he might find it you by Reg Ernst, he might find when I tell shocking or even horrific Charlie Russell responds: Editor: Dear to bears and humans. Habituated bears to bears and humans. Habituated bears hunters, for vehicles, are easy targets and poachers. Can you really trust a does it for their movies. problem, there is one of safety both taming bears. Historically, the Russians taming bears. Historically, did it for their circus and Hollywood grizzly bears? If so, how could anyone view that as a positive? How grizzly bears? will it benefit humans is a good idea. Perhaps I have humans is a good idea. Perhaps I have a poor understanding of what Charlie is program (research?) Russell’s about. Is it about semi-domesticating that naturalist groups would support and promote the notion that habituating predators to the presence of large Dear Editor: Dear various camps under the Republican under the Republican various camps I could the glut of paper “In banner. or fundamental find no unifying too numerous inward contradictions,” inward contradictions,” too numerous of beliefs hodgepodge of the he says by that have been espoused and ideas

LETTERS WLA April 2005 • Vol.13, No.2 26 LETTERS WLA April 2005 • Vol.13, No.2 27

or guided bear Spirit Bear: This place I found still had a I got thinking that if people could Eleven years ago I got real serious Before I wrote of This experience was the first left, I wanted to go there and live with them on their terms. I found what might have been the last chance to do this in Russia. Everywhere else in the world was guarded by people who believed that bears should only exist in fear of humans. I built a number of brown bears. large cabin among them and saw to it that this animal, that they were basically peaceful if we would ever allow them to be peaceful, and that they at least were willing to share land with us This was an if we would let them. important realization because they need productive land as much as we do, not the rock and ice Reg and others would like to relegate them to. relax about allowing them to be in the front country and the corridors of our National Parks and on our ranch land, we could recreate a huge amount of habitat for them just by understanding a much truer side of their nature. Of course, this would mean that people would have to give up using them the way they have been doing, insisting that they are synonymous with pure wilderness. Of course they are a “great symbol of wilderness,” but they are more than that. about looking at what was possible in this regard. If there was still a place It is about the possibility of learning to of learning possibility the It is about and I guess with them, the land share you I am not a scientist, that because never been that I have might argue one in So be it, but no a researcher. living has spent more time the world I have bears. For 45 years with brown of humans and pondered this idea much better grizzly bears co-existing than we do. White Bear of Encounters with the Rainforest the Western I went to Russia, viewers and before years up against I had ranched for 18 are plenty Park, where there Waterton the grizzlies of grizzlies. I encouraged on my land and to feel comfortable looked carefully at whether the threat they posed for my cattle and for myself was real. many that made me realize that there was a huge amount of mythology about Eventually I realized that I had The hunter/bear viewer officials officials viewer hunter/bear The Later, in Russia, I have had Later, Ernst has I understand that Mr. Even though it had happened it had happened Even though partner, Maureen Enns, to learn about Maureen Enns, partner, what made bears tick. My study has not been about domesticating bears or habituating them, whatever that means. hated what I did because in the hunting hunting the in because did I what hated to customary was it job, their of side grizzly a for dollars $10,000 about charge the that out got word If licence. killing animal peace-loving a really was grizzly and people like to propensity the had and down put having them, around safe be sell to able be not might they guns, their salaries. their pay to licenses enough to stop using my bear viewing clients as guinea pigs and I decided to do I set out with my a personal study. is not possible to be really accepted What he has lives. into wild animals’ missed somewhere in his education is is just that all this wild and tame stuff have to a state of mind. Humans don’t be a contaminant of the wilderness. If the bears I have hobnobbed with have taught me anything it is that, of course we are a part of nature – what else are can only choose We we if not that? – are we going to be a positive part or a negative part. to the bear. Everyone was having an to the bear. incredible time. females who, as soon as they left understood that I was trustworthy, their cubs with me to babysit while they enjoyed some freedom from their otherwise unending responsibilities to keep them safe. been taught all his life that humans are not and should not consider themselves a part of nature and that it two years previously, this man could this man could previously, two years tears about this without not tell me He told me running down his cheeks. he had with because the experiences Khutzeymateen the grizzlies of the I had just used my were similar. against a bear’s canoe paddle to hold to tell it that it was chest as a restraint it to be to my as close as I wanted were only a meter or so They guests. did this, following behind me when I talking calmly my instructions by the better. These are animals that were were that animals are These better. the over-hunting from extinct be to thought were few a when 1940s, the until lagoon. very that in discovered

There was mutual delight when when delight mutual was There To illustrate a similar situation To It was soon evident that they When bear viewing began to When bear viewing clearly something the mother wanted wanted mother the something clearly sooner the and experience to calf her she nudged the calf to the surface for for surface the to calf the nudged she later moments few a and breath first its Zodiac the to over calf the pushed she was It it. touch people amazed the let to eyes. He told me of a female whale whale female a of me told He eyes. from away meters few a calf a birthing body, her of free was it as soon As them. people stroked them around their big big their around them stroked people own their from away inches only eyes, out in Zodiacs, shut off their outboard their out in Zodiacs, shut off motors, and let the whales come to them, which they always did. by making it a crime to be close to the grey whales while whale watching. In the lagoon, the guides would take them seasoned clients told me a story about seasoned clients told me a story about what he had experienced in Scammons Lagoon in Baja, where the Mexicans lead Americans’ had not followed the emotions as they change. with another species, one of my close enough hear the faintest noises they make, able to see them eat a singe insect, and get to understand their quickly picked up on and appreciated quickly picked up on and appreciated by these very intelligent animals. It is world when one is a totally different every day to take an interest in what they were doing and were not going to The delight which people hurt them. had for what they experienced was quickly begin to like people once they quickly begin to like people once they understood that humans were there that assumptions by these people did not fit what happened when bears were not punished for being around people. rules for hunting them also decided rules for hunting them be used for just what criteria should watching them. I found soon enough ones, I was one of the first guides in ones, I was one of I had a big problem Canada of this ilk. set the who because the same officials to inhabit the same land that we do. to inhabit the same a way to make gain popularity as instead of dead money from live bears years, these two beliefs have been two beliefs have years, these of bears responsible for thousands they wanted being killed just because of humans. I thought it important to I thought it important of humans. these things very clearly, understand, the past few hundred because over there was the insistence that they are that they insistence was the there inherently and 2. 1. unpredictable fear once they lose their dangerous

Lynx © Deidre E. Webb © Deidre

– Charlie Russell raised by Dr. Thomas and write the raised by Dr. Premier and the Minister of Sustainable Resource Development about repealing Amendment the Fisheries (Alberta) was referred to as Act Act (2002) – this it is a fact that this Although Bill 206. legislature the by passed was legislation Assent, readers and received Royal would be mistaken if their letters It is not claim that this law is in effect. because it has not been proclaimed. mind telling you that I am proud that I proud that I am telling you mind the have been might taken what have look to have a careful last opportunity share fault it is that we can’t at whose This the grizzly bear. the land with with have been an issue might never has been for me because you, but it As I said, what I have I like sharing. be important found out might never what you want to if the status quo is have any don’t maintain, until we generation wants bears. But if the next might they to do things differently, in what I find something useful have learned.

– Ian Urquhart readers will no doubt - Some P.S. For the time being I suppose One of the starkest, simplest I am not suggesting that others I am not suggesting going into So Reg, you can keep Ralston Saul! want to pursue the cormorant issue would be foolish not to explore the possibilities that an MLA’s statements about a tiny fen and a “Kananaskis of the North” might signal an opening that we might be able to take advantage of. I will have to bear the burden of being “hopeful” and of perhaps from “relentless suffering positivism.” I only wish this last term had not been coined by the relentlessly pompous John criminals. This language promises criminals. to close doors, not open them. How likely would you be to pick up the telephone to discuss anything with an This ecological illiterate or criminal? makes one type of language effectively possible path – the path of negotiation, debate, and compromise – inaccessible. Alberta is aspects of political reality in that Conservative backbenchers wield For this reason, I think it would power. be foolish not to talk to them. It comforting feeling for you. You can You for you. comforting feeling look down your nose at me, but I don’t experiences with them. I have not been with them. I have experiences for their kind of animals around these could to see if they too full lifetime a benign history be trusted if they had with us. done ever again. should do what I have record straight I just had to set the problem in the bear/ about who was the human relationship. like an intruder the wilderness feeling that is a real if you want. Perhaps individual males who turn predator predator who turn males individual are old, when they humans toward built up few bears probably but these their for people from a long hatred

Wild Lands Advocate. Lands Wild RESPONSE TO “BEWARE KANANASKIS NORTH” LETTER KANANASKIS NORTH” “BEWARE TO RESPONSE “Beware Kananaskis North” What may be debated though You have asked me if I would have You My Eden for the bears lasted My Eden for the bears MLAs are ecological illiterates and his thinly veiled allusion to environmental in talk and discussion with provincial politicians with respect to Lakeland. This, at least, is the conclusion I draw Tory that all provincial from his charge much more than this. infers that there is little or no value approach Ray Danyluk with “a hefty there), dose of caution” (no argument says warning the tone of Richard’s paths do we take if we want to improve the ecological integrity of Lakeland? Although Richard says we should contrary. contrary. are his inferences about tactics – what scale, the protection of the Garner Fen scale, the protection of the Garner Fen really amounts to peanuts. It does not accomplish more than this and I am glad I never claimed anything to the What to say? First, no one should point that on an dispute Richard’s international ecological significance North,” the letter to the editor from Dr. North,” the letter to the editor from Dr. Thomas that appeared in the Richard last edition of Dear Editor: Dear like to respond to “Beware Kananaskis receive. As long as they are treated As receive. them explicitly. kindly you can trust It appears that there are a very few confirmed, without a doubt, that brown confirmed, without – humans bears are not unpredictable Also, that they give back what they are. for seven years before the status quo for seven years before place again. It is caught up with this relate here, but I too long a story to had to get along with them or get out of along with them or had to get to live in. the country they wanted I had no gun. persecution that man has inflicted on that man has inflicted persecution invented. since the gun was them ever simple: we time it was quite Before that their experiences with me would build would with me experiences their giving them than trust rather on their and experiences of violence the usual

LETTERS WLA April 2005 • Vol.13, No.2 28 LETTERS WLA April 2005 • Vol.13, No.2 29

surprise, surprise – David McIntyre AB Crowsnest Pass, If society is being treated honestly I believe that the “cumulative I believe that the “cumulative your Thank you again for Asterisk, – Jule for 2025 will – before society – be built tomorrow, has a chance to unite in meaningful opposition. prosperity to the rest of the province; prosperity to the rest of the province; and the powerful presentation of an at-the-BC-border image of what can be done when you have money to burn, people who are expendable, and priceless heritage resources you’re willing to destroy. with respect to the vision that the proposed high-speed superhighway be built for twenty years, it’s won’t obvious that an increasingly concerned allow it to and vocal populace won’t that the The real concern is happen. on the drawing board highway that’s perilous situation for them. perilous situation for all of our work toward of efforts” more hope for preservation will provide Everyone sustainability of ecosystems. on paper agrees with sustainability how about methods, an argument – it’s they are, and how this applies effective in the forest. important work, Regional Secretary, Environmental Action Committee

The few proponents of the high- Each year motorists use their We hope to host a showing of hope to host a showing We Despite some frustration, our Despite some frustration, would appear to have two hidden goals: largest Alberta’s of one of the sacrifice and most spectacular communities in the hope of bringing added wealth and death. It would appear that society can inflate these numbers if we take advantage of this exciting, high-speed And if the fill-the-valley-with- plan. work – that is, concrete plan doesn’t if we obliterate our most threatened wildlife species in the process – well ... no one can criticize the government by saying they chose the cheapest, most efficient solution. speed plan, silent in their ability to express any virtue in their vision, bears, grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, elk, moose, and two species of deer). vehicles to convert this expendable into expendable wildlife community’s 30,000 pounds of road-ground meat at a cost of only $500,000 in vehicular damage and an occasional human “Being Caribou” in empathy with It is not caribou’s Alberta herds. our behaviour which is unsustainable in Alberta, it is unnaturally our own processes which have created this group has recently committed to keep group has recently meetings. PAC participating in these with forest I have also been meeting years after five planners, and last week, we managed to bringing it to the PAC, area where my crew identify the precise “bald spots” in and I had noticed some a video filming a reforested area while production. Looking west across the Crowsnest River valley and Highway 3 in the community of River valley and the Crowsnest Looking west across Frank Slide, dominates the skyline, of the 1903 Mountain, producer Pass. Turtle Crowsnest Mountain is visible in the distance. while Crowsnest A SUPERHIGHWAY’S SUPER ECONOMY SUPERHIGHWAY’S A

already here comes here – expand, many-fold, a few hundred million only IS ALBERTA A SUSTAINABLE PLACE FOR CARIBOU? PLACE FOR SUSTAINABLE A ALBERTA IS For The government’s on-the-drawing- government’s The On behalf of the Regional On behalf of the Regional

highway (as viewed in terms of total annual carnage among cougars, black historical resources, and – the exciting part the bloody footprint of what is deadliest stretch of America’s North the valley’s inflated property values, inflated property the valley’s devaluate the needless historical fabric of internationally acclaimed masses, destroy the lives of a mere six thousand expendable people, reduce erase a struggling economy, dollars the government can, in the minutes for the name of saving five someone stepped forward to counter this assault by presenting the proposed economic benefit. highway’s beautiful, wildlife-rich, and historically beautiful, wildlife-rich, and historically significant community of Crowsnest Pass has received criticism from people time representing all walks of life. It’s board plan to create a high-speed superhighway through the spectacularly Dear Editor: Dear “might not be a sustainable place” for “might not be a sustainable place” for caribou was expressed at one PAC meeting that I walked out of. Advisory Committee (PAC) previously previously (PAC) Advisory Committee in getting our without much success Alberta The thought that ideas across. in northern Alberta. Our committee in northern to participate on has made attempts Forest Public the Lesser Slave Lake Environmental Action Committee, Environmental for the AWA I would like to thank toward initiative and coordination caribou herds protecting threatened Dear Editor, Dear

D. D. McIntyre A coyote hunts on the prairie A Thad Box cited the kind of There is a crisis not so much There is a crisis not

language that motivates me and perhaps and me motivates that language a legion of others who want to protect Tempest Terry this planet: a piece by She entitled “Redemption.” Williams was contemplating the wide-open grasslands and thought of birds on their spring migration, dancing grouse on their ancestral grounds and pronghorn antagonized and running back and forth that we connect with people on an intellectual as well as a raw emotional level. Good ideas are nothing without the passion to drive them home. need inspired lobbyists, writers, We and speakers to touch the hearts and influence the minds of the public and must be out in We decision-makers. in the Alberta and the communities of industry and in in corridors of power, alliances must forge We government. with our friends and with some of have to be We our so-called enemies. relentless in our advocacy for wildlands and wildlife. while keeping our feet firmly planted feet firmly while keeping our deny our can’t We on the ground. but we must roots and our calling, and our hearts to also open our minds techniques. Social new ideas and new scientists, communicator/lobbyists, biologists, economists, conservation and, yes, fundraising writers, dreamers, are all essential to professionals – they our success. in wildland protection but in how we manage the relationship between People will wildlands and society. always be the key to our success or our failure in these endeavours. It is crucial D. Olson D. What does this mean for AWA? AWA? What does this mean for It’s a competitive world out a competitive world It’s We must constantly ask ourselves must constantly ask We on staff. We can never become a can never We on staff. want a diversity of We monolith. thought and new creative approaches. need to keep looking at the horizon We outside of our box and find new ways to connect with the population at large. Doing things the old way is a recipe for senescence and death. In the end, what good will we be if our words and actions lack passion and resolve? It means continuing on a path we have want to be don’t We set for ourselves. an army of uniformed soldiers, and I become one. am glad to say we haven’t if all would be pretty ineffective We we had were biologists or politicians process of the death of old dogma- based concepts and resurrection of new visions of the interconnections of does not AWA people and the land.” is. need to become relevant – it already The trick is staying relevant – endless transformation and adaptation will be the keys. must We there for ideas and finances. never get tired or boring. Our society is changing rapidly and we must keep need to think We pace with that change. to attract even more young people. We We young people. to attract even more values our that ensuring at work to need are being taught and incorporated into the lives of people of all cultures and Alberta. across every community in must stay relevant. AWA Above all, “If organizations Thad Box says, As are insensitive to social changes they will become irrelevant. One cannot one lives it” – and I market relevancy, would add, thinks and breathes it. Box goes on to say that “we must change ourselves first ... through a constant we do our business and reach out to the we do our business oppose must naturally We community. of our wildlands growth in use/abuse encourage growth but at the same time and approaches to in our membership the things decisions on better influence we care about. and continue to if we are still relevant need We our tactics. refresh and renew

By Cliff Wallis, AWA Past-President AWA Wallis, By Cliff STAYING RELEVANT STAYING

People we would like to engage We will fail if we have only will We The ability of Alberta Wilderness Wilderness Alberta The ability of J.P. Foley J.P. functional ecosystems; however, we functional ecosystems; however, the ways accept the status quo in can’t fears. It is somewhat of a paradox in which we find ourselves. Our job is to defend the status quo our old way – that is, wilderness and wildlife in in a conversation may refuse to do so to their relate to them and if we can’t hopes and aspirations as well as their focus on the spiritual side, we ignore the economy at our peril. with people’s spiritual future – they with people’s also need to be reassured about their While we must economic sustenance. to chart economic futures that comfort AND protect wildlands. their citizens It is not good enough just to deal assault on the wilderness; to engender assault on the wilderness; to engender compassion and love for those wild havens that sustain and enrich our lives; and to work with communities have greater effect. We need to provoke need to provoke We have greater effect. outrage at the loss of wildlife and water quality that occurs with each new important to us? While science must be While science must be important to us? the key building block, appealing to our to spiritual and emotional sides is likely people? Or more importantly, will people? Or more importantly, hearing about these subjects motivate people to protect those things most attitude that doesn’t resonate with the resonate with the attitude that doesn’t What do species broader community. in decline, ecosystem function, and productive capacity mean to most changed the name of our newsletter, changed the name of our newsletter, sported a new logo, and communicated and an only to ourselves with jargon to positive outcomes for wildlands and wildlife. members and the public at large are at large members and the public issues in a way informed on wildland that motivates people and leads economies is crucial to its success with economies is crucial There is no higher wildland issues. our than to ensure that AWA calling for Association (AWA) to adapt to Association (AWA) and changing changing societal values

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October 2004 “On Becoming Relevant” “On Becoming With apologies and thanks to and thanks to apologies With ( February 2005, page 21, the February 2005, page 20, the Rangelands Rangelands OTHER EVENTS WLA Creek is Yellow photos labeled Creek. Yarrow (403) 238-3841, Kristin@friendsoffishc www.friendsoffishcreek.org reek.org, June 3-5, 2005 Third Conservation Crowsnest Annual Birding Festival Contact: Merilyn Liddell, [email protected], (403) 564-5155 CORRECTIONS WLA photo labeled St. Mary River is the Oldman River. but it must ensure that its spirit howls spirit howls that its must ensure but it endures. so wilderness Thad Box from April 28th, 2005 Thursday, and Intriguing but Slimy, and Scary about Care Should You Why Important: Reptiles! & Amphibians Alberta’s Russell Tony Dr. With TIME: 7:00 p.m. Visitor Ranch Valley Bow LOCATION: Fish Creek Centre East end of Provincial Park, access via Bow Trail Bottom (donations Free ADMISSION: appreciated) Friends of Kristin Dyer, CONTACT: Fish Creek Provincial Park Society,

AWA is in no need of resurrection, of resurrection, is in no need AWA Vivian Pharis Vivian James Tweedie James Bob Blaxley $40 – Non-members Pre-registration is required for the bus tour. program wetlands conservation managed by Ducks Unlimited. Majorville visit to the A • North Wheel, possibly Medicine oldest. America’s The bus trip will depart Calgary at 7:30 a.m. and return around 5:30 picnic lunch will be provided, A p.m. and there will be stops for refreshments on the way. members AWA $30 – with May 28, 2005 Saturday, Tour Majorville Bus with Jay Bartsch Join us for an interpretive bus trip to the wetlands of Majorville, visiting: Wheel Project, a Medicine The • Saturday, August 20, 2005 Saturday, Area Beehive Natural with September 10, 2005 Saturday, Whaleback The with September 24, 2005 Saturday, Lakes Picklejar kill all that is native, string it up by its it up string that is native, kill all howls but spirit to see, legs for all hind Anticipate endures. and wilderness resurrection.”

Dr. Rotraut Pfaefflin, a long-time member of AWA, was known as a was AWA, a long-time member of Rotraut Pfaefflin, Dr. Will Davies Will Dr. Richard Thomas Richard Dr. Vivian Pharis Vivian Dorothy Dickson Bob Blaxley Cheryl Bradley PROGRAM OPEN HOUSE and friends who so thoughtfully made contributions in memory of Rotraut. thoughtfully made contributions in memory and friends who so of those a memorial plaque with the names hosts office provincial AWA’s contributions. through the years with memorial who have been remembered woman ahead of her time, achieving academic recognition in pharmacy and time, achieving academic recognition woman ahead of her and was an avid in medicine. She enjoyed the outdoors in 1947 a doctorate away on January in her younger years. She passed and cyclist kayaker, skier, appreciates the gifts of family sincerely AWA of 91. 18, 2005 at the age IN MEMORIAM Ya Ha Tinda Tinda Ha Ya with Lakeland with July 23, 2005 Saturday, with July 23, 2005 Saturday, Sunday, June 26, 2005 Sunday, Hills Porcupine Saturday, June 18, 2005 Saturday, Area Rumsey Natural with The Whaleback The with Twin Rivers Heritage Rangeland Rivers Heritage Twin with June 12, 2005 Sunday, 1-866-313-0713, [email protected] June 4, 2005 Saturday, All day hikes: $20.00 Pre-registration required for all hikes Contact us: (403) 283-2025, toll-free wealth of environmental and historical wealth of environmental and historical knowledge of their area. SUMMER DAY HIKES SUMMER DAY to An exciting program of 10 day hikes All wild places. Alberta’s a variety of hikes are led by local experts with a Coyote, stiff on his cross, savior of our cross, savior of our on his Coyote, stiff and can try We rangelands. American along a barbed wire fence. She writes She writes wire fence. a barbed along on a barbed hung a dead coyote about to Jesus “My eyes turned wire fence:

AWA’s backpacking program is is backpacking program AWA’s Alberta supported by a grant from Parks and Sport, Recreation, Foundation. Wildlife Cost: $100 – AWA members AWA Cost: $100 – $125 – Non-members Pre-registration required for all preserve a To backpacking trips. wilderness experience, each of these trips will be limited to eight participants. Experience Alberta’s wilderness wilderness Alberta’s Experience backpacking through minimal impact Our guides and overnight camping. their intimate will share with you history of knowledge of the natural self- are Trips these beautiful areas. will make catered, but your guide with the proper sure you are prepared and level, equipment, food, fitness also be there for trip route and will first aid and emergencies. at (403) 283-2025 AWA Contact to book your or [email protected] space or for more details. August 11-14, 2005 August 11-14, Wilderness White Goat Nigel and Cataract Pass Traverse to explore Wales with guide Don the headwaters of Cataract Creek White Goat on the edge of the area. Wilderness July 27-29, 2005 Wildland South Castle Area Recreation Join guide Reg Ernst on an Creek Yarrow of the exploration headwaters of South Castle. June 20-22, 2005 Wildland Bighorn as your guide, Wales Don With of the explore the headwaters Creeks Littlehorn and Bighorn in the heart of the Bighorn Area. Recreation Wildland ALBERTA WILDERNESS BACKPACKING TRIPS BACKPACKING WILDERNESS ALBERTA [email protected] Box 6398, Station D Explore some of the most magnificent wilderness areas Alberta has to offer Alberta areas wilderness most magnificent some of the Explore Calgary, Alberta T2P 2E1 T2P Alberta Calgary, Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No. 485535 • ISSN# 40065626 Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Alberta Wilderness Association Wilderness Alberta Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Return Undeliverable Canadian

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