August 2005 • Vol.13, No.4

AWA

Beaver Pond in Lakeland area – (C. Olson)

CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM FOR CONSERVATION OF LAKELAND / 4 RECREATION CHALLENGES IN BIGHORN WILDLAND / 14 CARPET-BOMBING ALBERTA’S FRAGILE RANGELANDS / 17 MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE EPIDEMIC IN WILLMORE / 25 Editorial Board: THOUGHT’S ON ALBERTA’S 27 Shirley Bray, Ph.D. C ONTENTS SECOND “FLOOD OF THE CENTURY” August 2005 • VOL.13, NO. 4 IN TEN YEARS Andy Marshall Joyce Hildebrand Out Front FEATURE ARTIST Printing by: “NEXT YEAR COUNTRY:” Colour printing and process is 4 28 KARL GEIST: ARTIST RECAPTURES CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM SURFACES FOR OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES IN sponsored by Topline Printing CONSERVATION OF BOREAL LAKELAND PAINTINGS, DRAWINGS

9 DAWN DICKINSON: ETTERS O HE DITOR CONSERVATIONIST RELISHES UPS L T T E AND DOWNS OF ADVOCACY ROLE 29 A PERSONAL TRIBUTE TO Graphic Design: 10 JIM BUTLER: EVER REVEALING ANDY RUSSELL OUR LOVE AFFAIR WITH NATURE Ball Creative ASSOCIATION NEWS Wild Lands Advocate is pub- ALBERTA WILDERNESS WATCH lished bimonthly, 6 times a 29 ANDY RUSSELL: MEMORIAL year, by Alberta Wilderness GIFT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 12 WHY WE NEED WILD Association. The opinions PLAINS BISON expressed by the authors STAFF PROFILE: DAVID SAMSON 30 in this publication are not BIGHORN WILDLAND CONTINUES TO 14 STAFF PROFILE: JORDAN PETTY necessarily those of AWA. FACE RECREATION CHALLENGES 30 The editors reserve the right 30 STAFF PROFILE: SEAN NICHOLS to edit, reject or withdraw 17 CARPET-BOMBING ALBERTA’S FRAGILE RANGELANDS articles and letters submitted. 31 LOCHEARN SCHOOL STUDENTS SUPPORT AWA TRUST FUND 18 CBM HORSE HAS LEFT THE BARN, Please direct questions NOW GOVERNMENT WANTS and comments to: LEAVE YOUR LEGACY FOR PUBLIC INPUT 32 WILD ALBERTA Shirley Bray Phone: (403) 270-2736 NEW TRAITS FOUND IN HUNGARIAN 23 Fax: (403) 270-2743 PARTRIDGE EVENTS [email protected] 24 WILDFIRE SNAKE PIT 31 OPEN HOUSE PROGRAM – 25 MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE EPIDEMIC SUMMER DAY HIKES IN WILLMORE EXACERBATED BY DECADES OF FIRE SUPPRESSION 31 AWA WILD WEST GALA

26 CAN WE SOLVE DROUGHT IN 31 ALBERTA WILDERNESS SOUTHERN ALBERTA BY THROWING AND WILDLIFE ANNUAL LECTURE MONEY AT IT? AND AWARDS

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URFACES S The more cynical, realistic to Two months later Environment Two spokesperson Alberta’s Peter Lee, In announcing the birth of In announcing the to maintain ecological integrity.” It’s It’s to maintain ecological integrity.” easy to see why some members of the conservation community were willing to suspend their skepticism and were tempted to believe that Klein was more ecologically turning over a new, Alberta. sustainable page in some, among us likely felt we should heed the suspicions Liberal MLA protected areas.” Mike Cardinal, the protected areas.” Mike Cardinal, the was pleased at the time, local MLA the government was “preserving the integrity of the area.” Minister Ralph Klein raised expectations even higher regarding the conservation potential of Lakeland. the the Duke of Edinburgh, With World International President of the Fund (WWF), by his side Wildlife Klein reportedly described Lakeland “lifeline to an ecologically Alberta’s as sustainable future.” It would be a model Special Place, presumably an WWF Canada’s area that would satisfy Endangered Spaces Campaign criteria. of WWF Canada during much for the Endangered Spaces Campaign in the 1990s, outlined these criteria “as legislatively established sites that prohibit industrial activities such as logging, mining, development of hydroelectric dams and oil and gas enough drilling, and they must be large hectares, was the province’s largest. largest. hectares, was the province’s bragged that Lakeland, the province a 22 percent these areas represented managed by addition to the lands and Parks. By Alberta Recreation to seven of providing representation themes in the the ten natural history Central Mixedwood subregion of the boreal the government crowed the that this “designation confirms to protecting commitment province’s representative examples of our natural heritage and to being a leader in PTIMISM

O

AKELAND L AUTIOUS OREAL :” C B OF

It has been more than 13 years This potential rests in the OUNTRY C Recreation Area in January 1992. At Area in January 1992. Recreation 14,689 hectares the provincial park the third largest; Alberta’s became recreation area, encompassing 44,089 boreal they also may challenge the should strategize about AWA way and pursue conservation goals in Primrose-Lakeland. Raised Expectations, Dashed Expectations since the provincial government announced the designation of Lakeland Provincial Park and Provincial political environment over the past political environment decade that have the potential to help us engineer a jail break. challenges these changes pose to “business as usual” in the boreal forest. But, if they challenge the way business has been done in the appreciate because it highlights the appreciate because longstanding roadblocks/obstacles to push our efforts that have frustrated forward. But, conservation objectives have largely while these roadblocks have been several imprisoned us, there economic and subtle changes in the EAR Y ONSERVATION C EXT FOR By Ian Urquhart “N In this reflection on Lakeland Such an optimistic mindset, a When I moved to Alberta in When I moved to

I look back and look ahead. to history is important Lakeland’s future will deal more positively than the past has done with our concerns for this slice of our boreal forest. Lakeland campaign has so far taught me as much. It would be impossible to believe the work on this issue if I didn’t who wants to become involved in any environmental campaigns Alberta’s of Primrose- AWA’s on Working today. legacy of Alberta’s agricultural past, Alberta’s legacy of is mandatory equipment for anyone new neighbours smiled reassuringly and told me not to despair; next year was bound to be better. than royalty. But, at a time when it But, than royalty. seemed that only bankruptcies and welfare case loads were on the rise, my and King Wheat, with export prices and King since the Great at their lowest level Depression, looked more like a pauper My adopted province, according to My adopted province, was “running one group of writers, tanked Oil prices had on empty.” 1987 it was not long before I realized 1987 it was not long Country.” Year I was living in “Next R. Thomas R.

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The purpose of the PAC, as The purpose of the PAC, The most dramatic betrayal As AWA discovered last year this discovered last AWA As the public about managing Lakeland to fulfill and created the PAC this mission. outlined by the government, was to “represent the interests of the to Alberta as they pertain citizens of developing a detailed management plan for Lakeland Provincial Park Area.” and Provincial Recreation between wilderness values and logging/ oil and gas development in favour of wilderness; only seven percent disagreed with this position. of the public trust may rest in the machinations surrounding the work Advisory of the Lakeland Public between 1994 and Committee (PAC) 1996 and the failure to develop a its To management plan for the region. credit the province sought to consult supports a park development, featuring featuring development, a park supports with of experience, type wilderness focus and recreational non-mechanized development.” modest facility sentiment continues pro-wilderness Albertans. strongly among to be held of the people polled by Two-thirds Alberta on behalf of the University of (42% of them strongly) agreed AWA government should that the provincial in Lakeland resolve the conflict

Mixedwood forest Mixedwood forest This decision ignored more They recommended that, to be Steve West planted the seeds of planted West Steve focused model of park development. Alberta Parks and Recreation reported that its survey of public opinion had told the department that “the public a protected area in Lakeland needed The government sq. km. to be 1124 rejected this assessment and created a park/recreation area complex roughly one half of the recommended size (588 And, the Provincial Park sq. km.) only constituted one-quarter of this reduced area. than science; it also betrayed the wishes for the future status of public’s Lakeland. Public opinion was solidly behind an ambitious wilderness- and Associates to assess the significant Associates to assess and natural features of the boreal forest in the vicinity of Lakeland. as a conservation initiative, effective longstanding champion of Lakeland’s champion of Lakeland’s longstanding “nothing and natural legacies, historical a scam.” less than day he officially this betrayal the very and Recreation designated the Park announcement, the Area. Prior to this Westworth government had retained Lakeland. Advertised in a government a government in Advertised Lakeland. than Paradise,” Less as “Nothing video of became, in the words Lakeland Lac La Biche’s Maccagno, Tom Although Lakeland Park and For Mitchell the idea, not the

events. Decision after decision erased the “protected” from the promise of Provincial Recreation Area formally Area formally Provincial Recreation were created seven months after Mitchell spoke these words, his instincts foreshadowed well subsequent foreign multinationals] passed … they just backed right off.” the plan was nothing more than public relations, and when the maelstrom to Alberta timber [over allocating to fulfill once public concern over industrialized northern forests subsided. Lakeland Park “will die, because … Alberta’s boreal forest to multinational Alberta’s timber companies. It was a promise he never expected the government reality, of a park in Lakeland was just reality, Albertans troubled by the a sop to decision to allocate most of province’s relations.” Its intent, in other words, relations.” Its intent, and manipulate a was just to soothe public. nervous or concerned designed to convince “people that to convince “people designed right, but in they’re doing something beyond public meaningless fact it’s that all of the talk about creating a the talk about creating that all of just area in Lakeland was protected talk was This relations. empty public Grant Mitchell raised in the provincial the provincial raised in Mitchell Grant prospects Lakeland’s about legislature Mitchell suggested Then in June 1991. C. Olson C. I. Urquhart I.

, his

The Final Frontier What prompted her observations The history of protected Both sets of views were decidedly of views were decidedly Both sets to originally scripted The PAC, this day a management plan To sites throughout the province.” Richard were the conclusions Dr. leading Alberta’s Thomas, arguably authority on boreal forest ecology, reached in 1998 study of the boreal forest for There the Special Places program. Thomas documented, in respect to Lakeland, the extent to which industrial reviewing the Lakeland Provincial Park draft Area and Provincial Recreation management plan and I anticipate its release to the public in the near future.” area politics in Lakeland is all too reminiscent of what passes for normal Pharis Vivian AWA’s As Alberta. in noted in 1999: “The sad part is that what is happening in Lakeland is happening to other important ecological then took “the liberty” of offering its of offering liberty” took “the then views. own by key positions struck at odds with they both For example, the PAC. they logging in the PRA; supported recommended restrictions opposed the activities; on motorized recreation of park they were suspicious they equated it with expansion because on motorized additional restrictions recreational pursuits. plan, review a revised management in the wake of never got that chance Panel report. Hearing the minister’s in scuttling the This panel succeeded finalize a management plan to efforts for Lakeland. Apropos life has not been produced. Community in “Next year Country,” Development Minister Gary Mar now that his department “is AWA tells A wetland in the Lakeland Provincial Recreation Area Area Recreation wetland in the Lakeland Provincial A At the minister’s behest, the At the minister’s But, as relatively tame as these but at the same time asking the but at the same time government to consider removing them through purchase or other means. in order for the park and the in order for the park area to better provincial recreation benchmark serve as an ecological sub- of the Central Mixedwood forest; region of the boreal recreation area; activities; • prohibiting commercial logging commercial logging • prohibiting of the • expanding the boundaries recreation • restricting motorized mineral leases • honouring existing aroma, first offered a summary of a summary aroma, first offered public reactions to the draft plan, reactions overwhelmingly coming from It the motorized recreation community. Minister Ty Lund, a friend to the Ty Minister environment if there never was one. public consultation process suddenly Alberta Environmental changed after Protection incorporated much of the work into its 1996 spirit of the PAC’s The minister Draft Management Plan. unexpectedly foisted an “Open House Hearing Panel” on the consultation as This panel, not nearly process. a and giving off inclusive as the PAC decidedly “handpicked by the minister” not absolutely prohibiting, motorized access; honouring or purchasing, not canceling, existing mineral leases) they were too much for Environment recommendations were (i.e. restricting, recommendations were (i.e. restricting, forest. For example, the committee example, the committee forest. For recommended: reasonable people are bound to disagree disagree to bound are people reasonable clear the it seems answers in their advocate was an important committee boreal Alberta’s in for conservation

Rock Island River The committee concluded its In respect to protection all Joined together by their Committee members took Committee members

principle and an overarching concern principle and an overarching concern principles? Were they excessively Were principles? While inspired by these principles? work by making 102 recommendations these Were to the government. inspired recommendations sufficiently by the precautionary and protection to measure the appropriateness of all human activities in the protected area. where protection of biological resources was the foremost priority.” used This was the yardstick the PAC conservation.” members saw Lakeland as “a place principle to mean, “When you don’t principle to mean, “When you don’t know what the (human) impact may be, err on the side of caution and with environmental protection to guide The the management of Lakeland. precautionary the interpreted committee members called for the precautionary members called for the precautionary enthusiasm for the natural and cultural enthusiasm for the natural and cultural attributes of this region committee out, in their words, “not . . . to rubber out, in their words, blueprint stamp the government’s for Lakeland.” deliberations produced a detailed deliberations produced issues assessment of the management They set consider. they were asked to their task seriously, held seventeen held seventeen their task seriously, through the Lac committee meetings region, and after La Biche-Cold Lake consultations and eighteen months of however, were notable by their absence notable by their were however, from the PAC. interest groups and a wide variety of and a wide variety interest groups of Representatives backgrounds.” industries, and energy the forestry Composed of twenty members twenty members of Composed region, the from the and alternates key claimed to “represent PAC C. Olson C.

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L. Wein L. UT RONT WLA August 2005 • Vol.13, No.4 7 T. Maccagno T. O F Ladyslippers Mixedwood forest One positive signal came level is more difficult. level is more difficult. from the 2004 report of the MLA Steering Committee Report on Rural This report, “Rural Development. Alberta: Land of Opportunity,” Albertans concluded that “many rural see environmentalism as an opportunity for economic growth, for example through eco-tourism and alternative such as Energy and Sustainable and Sustainable such as Energy Resource Development. Consequently, the search for promise at the provincial

Provincially, “protected areas” Provincially, This framework, endorsed by The most concrete example of Nationally, more Canadians than more Nationally, This standard was endorsed This standard was Since its creation in 1993 the FSC the FSC in 1993 its creation Since management practices in the remainder of the ecosystem. word in ministries remains a four-letter and its release of the Boreal Forest Conservation Framework (BFCF) in December 2003. several First Nations, conservation and major corporations organizations, Alberta-Pacific such as Suncor and Forest Industries, is very ambitious. It calls for the protection of at least fifty percent of the boreal through an interconnected, protected areas network and for the very best, ecologically sustainable resource great lung, performs the same vital Amazon, ecological functions as the its southern cousin; more know that the boreal sustains nearly half of all species and that American bird North an estimated 1.6 billion landbirds, the finches, warblers, and other species that fill the forests with song every spring, nest in the boreal. this national awakening to the boreal’s importance may lie in the founding of the Canadian Boreal Initiative December 1993. FSC International December 1993. FSC August accredited this standard in the extent that companies To 2004. Alberta conclude that FSC operating in sense this makes financial certification internationally inspired factor may prove valuable in provincial protected areas campaigns. ever before know that one-quarter of intact forests remaining the world’s are boreal forests; more appreciate second that the boreal, the earth’s regional standards FSC has certified certified FSC has regional standards the more forests around more and impact movement’s This global world. seen in the birth of on Canada may be with a FSC Canada (an organization Any healthy ENGO representation). products from thought of certifying forest had to await the Canadian boreal acceptance the development and standard by of a national boreal FSC Canada. Canada in unanimously by FSC and its certification principles have have principles certification and its the more adherents; through acquired and of numerous national development When protecting Lakeland was The most widely respected One noteworthy international Lakeland’s protected areas history Lakeland’s The history detailed here is The history detailed His study underlined that His study Stewardship Council did not even exist when Lakeland was designated in 1992. socially sustainable forest management. socially sustainable forest management. was an first talked about, certification The Forest idea only in its infancy. (FSC), an international non-profit (FSC), an international non-profit dedicated to promoting organization and economically, environmentally, certification program among certification is that environmental organizations of the Forest Stewardship Council logo, a sign the product originated from a well-managed forest. retailers, and forest products companies forest products. attach to “certified” Certified products carry an eco-label or national, and provincial developments. national, and provincial developments. development rests in the importance a growing number of consumers, however, to let that history blind us to however, the potential for positive change arising from a combination of international, we need it to appreciate the political and economic obstacles to conservation in Lakeland. It would be a mistake, Winds of Change? Winds is undoubtedly essential information; OHV users, and a clutch of cabinet users, and a OHV ministers and MLAs who attend to the other three interests like handmaids. From the beginning Lakeland has been From the beginning Lakeland has been plagued by four horsemen—the timber oil and gas, irresponsible industry, Lakeland—has proven to be a more What more empty gesture. hollow, us? lessons does this history offer anything but cheery. What should What anything but cheery. victory for have been an important conservation—the protection of ecological integrity. Much of Lakeland ecological integrity. integrity test. failed this ecological could make genuine contributions to could make genuine and biodiversity protecting landscapes and unfragmented, if they were intact high degree of if they exhibited a Lakeland and many other so-called Lakeland and many boreal forest only protected areas in the crippled Lakeland’s ability to make a crippled Lakeland’s goals of contribution to the meaningful Places program. the Special activity, illegal OHV use, unrestricted use, unrestricted OHV illegal activity, of other types regulated or poorly factors had access, and other motorized C. Olson C. As we walked along the rain- How should AWA respond to AWA How should On the one hand, through the Since ecological benchmarks benchmarks Since ecological Heron Heron with important ecological value. The significance of this gain was highlighted for me when I joined a hike to Jackson Lake led by Richard The hike took a group Thomas in July. of us through some of the forest to be deferral. Al-Pac’s spared by again Thomas underlined soaked trail and again the ecological variety and Implications for AWA Implications for the positive signals coming from Al-Pac, signals that are more positive than anything we have seen from government or other industrial Al-Pac’s support AWA actors? Should application for FSC certification? Should we applaud the company’s Al-Pac’s actions in the hope that posture will be an important boost to prospects? brightening Lakeland’s These are the sorts of questions I would like to leave you with and invite fellow members to consider. deferral we may be on the verge of reaping a small territorial gain (FMA), make the area an attractive attractive the area an make (FMA), the company. for benchmark ecological but also areas only be large must not has an interest Al-Pac areas unmanaged are that industrial activities in seeing from the Park/Provincial excluded Area. Unlike the situation Recreation a major industrial in the early 1990s that are actor now has interests securing the more compatible with AWA outcomes ecologically sensitive for Lakeland. always has proposed

These expectations, in Ecological benchmarks may be Al-Pac formally has committed to FSC’s protected areas expectations expectations areas protected FSC’s prohibited. The size of Lakeland Park/ The size of Lakeland prohibited. well as Area, as Provincial Recreation Al-Pac’s the fact the area is outside of area Agreement Forest Management that Al-Pac work with AWA and other AWA Al-Pac work with that interested parties to secure legislated protection for this area. interest in Al-Pac’s combination with establishing ecological benchmarks for its operations, also may help secure an ecologically sensitive and sensible management plan for the Park/ Area. Provincial Recreation areas, areas unmanaged defined as large where industrial activities should be proposed as part of its application for proposed as part of its application for FSC certification. defer from logging in this 5,107 hectare years as one step area for the next five protected towards satisfying the FSC’s areas criterion (see the map for the approximate location of this deferral). Furthermore, it is likely that, if the application, Al-Pac’s FSC approves one condition of that approval will be several positions with real potential to with real potential several positions years For several benefit Lakeland. stop logging Al-Pac to has urged AWA the Park/ in the forests between Area boundaries Provincial Recreation (to Lake road Touchwood and the This the north of these boundaries). incorporated into demand now has been Al-Pac has initiative the protected areas what we see coming from the from we see coming what government. Klein to adopt Al-Pac have encouraged Old-growth lichens Old-growth The NBS requires companies In significant respects the Are these winds of change Are these winds of This outlook dovetails neatly with with neatly outlook dovetails This

approach to establishing protected areas is unquestionably more generous than aside and protect representative samples of the ecosystems found across the landscape they operate evolving Al-Pac’s in. Consequently, establishing protected areas. to set applying for certification or ambitious than what is currently required by the provincial government. One such principle concerns principles set by FSC Canada’s principles set by FSC Canada’s National Boreal Standard (NBS) are considerably more demanding Alberta company that has applied to by FSC. have its products certified Alberta, has both responded to and helped promote some of the a Al-Pac, aforementioned changes. member of FSC Canada, is the only Industries (Al-Pac), the Japanese multinational that towers over most of the boreal landscape in northeastern conservation agenda in Lakeland? Some cautious optimism may be Forest Alberta-Pacific justified here. Implications for Lakeland Implications for forward the strong enough to push of nature-related tourism, birding tourism, birding of nature-related of Lakeland’s and canoeing, as part “industry of the future.” positions coming from the Lac La coming from the Lac positions Futures Centre. Biche Community two examples identified That centre energy production.” production.” energy economic diversification some of the C. Olson C.

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OUT FRONT WLA August 2005 • Vol.13, No.4 9 C. Olson C.

Dawn Dickinson “the voice of the boreal” “the voice of the boreal” White-throated sparrow – sparrow White-throated “You think you’re making think you’re “You Honoured by FAN and the Honoured by FAN recipient last year of the Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Dawn Dickinson Award, Conference Wilderness AWA will receive an With in November. Award Defenders she downplays the typical modesty, recognition and is loathe to rest on her laurels. progress, but they never seem to stop,”

PS

U ELISHES R She has relished the many Ian Urquhart is associate professor in is associate professor Ian Urquhart What costs will bird populations What costs will bird OLE R 1972 at age 42 and then her masters in zoology from the same institution four years later are further testimony to her enterprising ways. (AWA), as well as from her earlier (AWA), career as a biologist and her travels Canada and Western throughout the North. adventures and challenges in her life, from a two-week solo canoeing to a summer spent Yukon trip in the Arctic camping on Devon Island in the Circle helping a doctoral student in a study of plants. Her B.Sc. with first class honours in zoology from the Alberta in Edmonton in University of paying tribute to her mother and other paying tribute to her mother and other relatives with Scottish origins. She’s surrounded by piles of papers and reports, accumulated from her more while than 16 years of volunteer efforts living in Medicine Hat for groups like the Grasslands Naturalists (GN), the Alberta Naturalists (FAN) Federation of Association Wilderness Alberta and the the Department of Political Science at the is coordinating Alberta. He University of conservation work. Primrose-Lakeland AWA’s of would like to acknowledge the support AWA Ivey Foundation. the Richard proposed, new Forest Management new Forest Management proposed, increase a significant plan anticipates further much of the forest in logging Provincial north, between the Area and Heart Lake. Recreation in those more northern forests? suffer those costs be outweighed by Will able to realize in the gains we may be what my neighbours Lakeland? I know expect to happen would say I should I hope they Country.” Year in “Next are right. Pac’s FMA sprawls over nearly six nearly six over sprawls FMA Pac’s Al-Pac And, while hectares! million to spare the deferral has committed harvest the company’s area from ONSERVATIONIST : C

DVOCACY A OF

ICKINSON OWNS D D AWN “I get that from my Scottish Considerate and gentle to the And, just as this region of Alberta And, just as this region of It’s like negotiating the knobs, like negotiating It’s For Dawn Dickinson, as for any But, on the other hand, the In earlier trips along this trail In earlier trips along AND Andy Marshall By D background,” she says with a laugh, point of self-effacing diffidence, the diffidence, point of self-effacing English accent can lady with the refined also bring to the table a no-nonsense tenacity and inner resolve. such an effective advocate for the advocate for such an effective natural environment. the 75-year-old Medicine Hat citizen the 75-year-old present an inspiring dichotomy of human attributes that have made her contains a breathtaking variety of ecological contrasts, so, too, does has directed so much passion to and that still draw her at every opportunity. have to watch your step. You kettles and slumps adorning the Cypress Hills and the province’s southeast mixed grasslands that Dawn of Alberta’s intrepid environmental Alberta’s of leaders, the path to conservation success has its ups and downs. promised deferral area of 5,107 Al- hectares is just a pittance – park’s boundaries and adopting a strong boundaries and park’s management plan. deferral will give us the opportunity to deferral will give us protection push for the more permanent that could be realized by expanding the I thought to myself, of the sorts of I thought to myself, Al-Pac deferral would treasures the The protect at least temporarily. Thomas had identified more than a more Thomas had identified by this very handful of nests built Solid evidence, secretive creature. birds in North America” and a species America” and birds in North birders’ that “remains on many wish lists.” warbler, a neotropical songbird songbird a neotropical warbler, Songbird by the Boreal identified known as “one of the least Initiative importance of that forest. My favourite My favourite that forest. of importance came that message of illustration about the Connecticut when he spoke are

A Flight of Deer of Flight A which went into a Prairie River, Recently retired from a highly Once described as an evangelist, Currently, she’s working on a working she’s Currently, “I’m more limited in what I can While applying these carefully these carefully While applying had so much pleasure “You’ve and Painting, photography ATURE N active 26-year teaching and research Alberta career at the University of Department of Forest Science, Butler now spends some of his time lecturing around the world on cruise trips on topics from whales to penguins. man prefers to Virginia-born West the helping see himself as an interpreter, among general audience publications among general audience publications she has contributed to. natural history book of essays on her The aging beloved Cypress Hills. process imposes its natural restrictions, of course, but the passion and the mind still burn brightly. ever-inquiring say I’m not going to do, but I can’t defenders Wilderness she notes. try,” everywhere can only be grateful. Wilderness Alberta he delivers the Association annual lecture and receives this coming Award Defenders AWA an 18, he’ll refer to his 40 years Nov. spent “studying and exploring the mosaic of the human/nature bond.” intimidated from abandoning her her abandoning from intimidated president FAN says principles,” Dennis Baresco. principles, scientific thought-out brought an emotional she has also efforts. to her conservation attachment in and been in places you’ve worked of obligation,” to, you have a feeling her unquenchable is how she explains you’ve been motivation. “Because owe the land given so much, you itself something.” composing writing—including other skills she’s poetry—are among gratitude. In used to express this reports, she has addition to scientific written scripts for a six-part series produced by of natural history films Karvonen Films more than 15 years ago. and edition, second ITH W

FFAIR A OVE L UR O With typical flair, he calls typical flair, With He laughs at descriptions of “While her single-minded As a biologist, in later years, Her abiding love of the natural love of the natural Her abiding Dickinson While in her 20s, Dawn mankind’s lure to wild nature “a deep, mankind’s involving much clandestine love affair And, when more than meets the eye.” There are so many things out there to be passionate about,” he exults. “In my talks, I’m trying to remind people of their own passion and not be afraid of expressing it.” himself as a bear of man, or a portly ’60s survivor with a grey beard and a pony tail. “I’m losing weight,” he notes, his voice carrying a fullness and depth from a lifetime of engaging people in rich conversation. experienced scientists, she says. determination to see management decisions based on sound science has not always been popular with some, Dawn has never wavered nor been issues and an understanding for the issues and an understanding conflicts that can occur over land use. Western she did a variety of work for Ecological Services in Edmonton, including a contract with the Canadian Arctic Resources Committee at the Inquiry into the time of the Berger That Mackenzie River pipeline. was followed by a contract with the Advisory Science Territories Northwest Those experiences gave Board. her exposure to some outstanding, landscape came early in life, guided by came early in life, landscape and new of her mother the influence in her frequent step-father and practised South Downs and walks over England’s of Dartmoor in later over the splendour the southwest. Then Lethbridge. returned to her native Hat where a she moved to Medicine Alberta elk for summer job surveying a life- helped spark Wildlife Fish and conservation long fascination with economic action, such as boycotts, to boycotts, such as action, economic “We arsenal. the conservationist new ways of doing have to find says. things,” she EVEALING R VER : E UTLER B IM “Sure, I have a passion for things. “Sure, I have a passion for things. With Jim Butler, you sense an Jim Butler, With The words cascade out, clear, The words cascade out, clear, In her quest to make a difference, In her quest to make a difference, That only serves to stiffen the That only serves to stiffen “You have a momentary feeling “You She played a lead role in the She played a lead role J Andy Marshall By ageless Pan. poet, ordained Buddhist monk, media spokesman for wildlife protection and, writer of a musical play most recently, complete with fairy princess and the 59-year-old Edmonton environmental 59-year-old advocate, conservation biologist, author, university professor, teacher, inexhaustible source of enthusiasm for people and the world around him. this The adjective eclectic nicely fits joyful and fresh, like water from a mountain spring. she acknowledges the need to add meeting with government agencies and corporate personnel—actions she Today, has devoted much of her life to. she now questions the effectiveness she now questions the effectiveness alone of writing letters and briefs, attending open houses and workshops, born in Lethbridge but who grew up in the U.K. when her mother returned father. there after the death of Dawn’s matter-of-factly resolve of this soft-spoken woman, of accomplishment and then you find of accomplishment and then you find permanent,” she says quite out it isn’t to be threatened two years later by to be threatened two application to drill up to 1275 Encana’s shallow gas wells there. for economic reasons. Then came for economic reasons. dedication of the the much-applauded only Area, Wildlife Suffield National the army training grounds. that led to the Meridian Dam forum of the project welcome cancellation came the disillusionment, at least disillusionment, at came the of the way the decision was for her, the wild horses at reached to deal with Project Swiftsure in the early 1990s, in the early Project Swiftsure chemical the destruction of leading to Then at CFB Suffield. warfare agents she says of the inevitable setbacks to setbacks inevitable of the she says She fondly initiatives. conservation in her active involvement remembers

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The Theoretical The Theoretical or . Published works also Jim Butler Zen Buddhism and the And, true to the Renaissance The extensive publications list in International Union for Not all environmentalists feel Not all environmentalists Society, National Research Society and Society, are among groups in Unlimited Trout been active. which he’s man image, his personal hobbies list includes fly-fishing, photography, collecting antique nature prints, chess Jim Butler has theory and philately. clearly made his stamp on society. his curriculum vitae includes works on subjects from birds to the boreal forest he treasures so vigorously. written on such he’s Intriguingly, topics as Conserver Society Importance of Higher Sensory in the Sasquatch Perception Phenomenon include a book of poems called on a Log. Dialog with a Frog Conservation of Nature and Natural Fund, Wildlife World Resources, Wilderness Canadian Parks and become particularly apparent since his since apparent particularly become community a Buddhist in immersion A on a U of Thailand in while working was to see of my training project. “Part they could as they are, but as things not That means be,” he says. and should see a your rage when you directing where a to seeing it as a place clear-cut have to “You forest is going to grow. and vision project that model of wellness.” approach. But, comfortable with this to volunteer the man who still likes Santa Claus at Christmas to play is not in his Edmonton community, easily deterred. The philosophical practice has In other words, you have to take He’s well aware of the well aware of He’s Butler returns to a water Aptly, Butler’s high profile— Butler’s “What’s in it for him is to share “What’s International consulting International seeking to free the dolphins at West West seeking to free the dolphins at Edmonton Mall to saving habitat for grizzly bears. Alberta’s advice on environmentalist burnout. someone a need or “Every time there’s calls on you to help (with a cause), you tilt the pitcher a little bit,” he says. and “Pretty soon the pitcher is empty, where we start to get into burnout that’s . . . you have to keep the pitcher full . . . over the top.” just give what’s the time to centre yourself in hope; maintain your deep connection with what ever you are defending. In from case, this can range Butler’s oil industry activities. The oil industry activities. resulting stress pushed him into a six-month medical leave. pressures all conservation advocates face. His clearly articulated commitment to protect special places has often clashed with the prevailing model,” as he “dysfunctional profit calls it. metaphor to explain his approach to activism and his frequently sought says former student and long- says former student time friend David Dodge. and written many books he’s has appeared as a frequent commentator on CBC and CKUA—has invariably provoked occasional negative reactions, including some sickening phone threats to his life about seven years ago after a meeting of helping organize farmers with complaints about assignments have taken him all over have taken him assignments Playing an advisory the world. for environmental role in planning a national park protection in China, in the Caribbean, conservation for Indonesia, and education strategies herons in preservation of threatened numerous projects Kenya, are among gusto, many of he has worked on with Nations. them for the United and relevance of nature, the beauty who will listen,” nature with anybody people have indeed challenged his right his challenged have indeed people own his they consider what to promote his courses. beliefs through With his recent change of status his recent change With During an incredibly wide-ranging Pursuing his doctoral studies at You can see the pattern in how, see the pattern in how, can You His life’s activities have been true activities His life’s The house he shares with wife The house he shares “will be glad to drop that course,” he suggests with another chuckle. Some dealing with lawsuits and how to work with the media. to professor emeritus, the university reportedly had to sit in the aisles to fit reportedly had to sit in the aisles to fit in. In the activism course, students learned about civil disobedience, lectures on conservation biology, lectures on conservation biology, and ecological wildlife identification activism were so full, some students toward park resource protection.” A, Butler’s teaching career at the U of in parks and recreation interpretation, he wrote his dissertation on the “role of interpretation as a motivating agent relationship between man and nature in relationship between man and nature century.” mid-19th the to world new the Washington, the University of Seattle, to complete his masters in humanities to complete his masters in humanities from Manhattanville College in with his thesis on “the York, New after his undergraduate studies in after his undergraduate Virginia West wildlife management at on and Ohio State Universities, he went We also must learn to bring our hearts also We into play. not just a scientific or biological issue.” or biological issue.” not just a scientific For a true understanding, he explains, we need to be familiar with disciplines from economics to political science. that all things are connected,” he says. that all things are connected,” he says. as thinking and ecologist an as “Trained is an ecologist, I know that every issue to the human/nature bond he so often to the human/nature bond he so often talks about. “I learned early in life blowguns with deadly curare-tipped blowguns with deadly of the skulls of darts on the wall, casts early man sitting on a shelf. ecology, national parks management, national parks management, ecology, people and nature, the relationships of describe Visitors and ecotourism. Elaine is filled with memorabilia from with memorabilia Elaine is filled acclaimed career, his internationally as boreal forest delving into such areas corner of his living room. “So, more his living room. “So, corner of at natural areas and people are looking wilderness as sacred.” world. “There is a tremendous soar is a tremendous world. “There who has says Butler, in spirituality,” in one sanctuary set up a Buddhist open people up to the possibilities to the possibilities people up open comes that sustenance of spiritual with the natural from communing

The purposeful selection of Free ranging, predator influenced, Free ranging, predator influenced, Genetic introgression with cattle The decision panders to decades The decision panders Recovery of a species at risk traits favourable for human needs and in form results in differences physiology function (morphology, true This has been and behaviour). There has for both cattle and bison. e.g. cattle been selection for docility, are poor defenders against predators; smaller pelvic girdle has created calving and walking difficulties; its original range. These populations its original range. must be subject to forces of natural selection, including predation; and There are about protected under law. 20,000 plains bison in conservation herds (2,000 in Canada) and 500,000 in commercial ownership; few are genetically pure. disease free bison number less than 1300 within the Plains region. Less than 700 of those are not subject to regular handling by humans. In other words, few bison in the plains exist This is under natural conditions. well below the threshold of population viability. and bison domestication has created of The presence a legacy of issues. has precluded listing under cattle DNA legislation, e.g. US Endangered Act and domestication is at Species least partially responsible for the failure of the minister to list under in Canada. SARA of common sense to let declining of common sense to to hinder efforts commercial operations the west. put the wild back in agricultural of the type of unsustainable threatened land use in Canada’s has led to it grassland region that concentrations having one of the largest World It is part of of species at risk. 200 list of Global Fund’s Wildlife Canada’s most threatened ecosystems. refusal to list plains bison under SARA limits our ability to use this keystone species in recovery efforts. means achieving viable, free-ranging areas within populations over large

ISON B LAINS P ILD W The other stated reason for not It is appalling that, in failing to list Political interference in listing Political interference EED of a handful of bison producers over wild bison and thousands of Canadians who want to see wild plains bison in the face back in the prairies. It flies listing was “the potential economic implications for the Canadian The game farming Bison industry.” industry is in crisis in Canada and an bison ranching has been suffering of the About half economic downturn. 50 or so pilot bison ranching projects no Alberta are on public lands in longer operating. plains bison under SARA, Canada has concerns the and bison domestic chosen especially bad economics, rather than evidence. on scientific of the AWA’s concerns when we AWA’s of the commented on early drafts of the basing decisions Act, Species at Risk about species on economic concerns, are located in the USA, e.g. Wind Wind e.g. are located in the USA, (4000), and Yellowstone Cave (375), Parks, (700) National Teton Grand Turner’s and Henry Mountains (300), there are some Castle Rock herd but Island National in Canada, e.g. Elk Man on His Back Park (430) and Old area (60). Plateau Nature Conservancy as one identified species at risk was N E

W HY by Cliff Wallis, AWA Past-President AWA by Cliff Wallis, W (SARA). While (SARA). This testing is relatively easy; The stated primary reason for not This decision will hamper Alberta Wilderness Association Wilderness Alberta

bison herds have been identified. These bison herds have been identified. Most total about 8000 head globally. genetically pure bison from cattle contaminated bison. plains few cattle genome-free however, bison. This is a red herring and is This is a red herring and bison. in disguise. an economic argument It is most important to distinguish listing plains bison was the difficulty listing plains bison was the difficulty of telling wild from domestic plains as a threatened species in May 2004. The minister should have accepted its why. recommendation. Here’s recovery plans for grassland species at risk, including plains bison. COSEWIC made the right decision in listing it in Canada (COSEWIC), plains bison is in Canada (COSEWIC), plains bison conspicuous by its absence. the minister listed the vast majority of the minister listed by Committee species recommended Wildlife on the Status of Endangered Environment to add plains bison to Environment to add under the the list of species protected Act Species at Risk (AWA) was frustrated by the recent was frustrated by (AWA) Stéphane failure of the Honourable Minister of the Dion, Canada’s

AWA Files AWA

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W W 12 WILDERNESS WATCH WLA August 2005 • Vol.13, No.4 13 AWA is equally committed to is equally committed AWA Reintroducing plains bison to It is the conservation community’s community’s conservation It is the the minister has not Fortunately, committed to working with the minister committed to working with the minister to find a path forward. securing a listing under the Species have recovered Act until we at Risk significant populations of Plains bison This is grasslands. in the Canada’s where they rightfully belong along with the whole suite of prairie species with which they evolved. Grasslands National Park this fall is a small step in the right direction but much more political resolve and adequate regulatory tools are needed to help conserve this species and to restore the natural biodiversity in the plains ecosystem. and character of the grasslands. of the grasslands. and character and scientifically strongly held view that commercial supported is at odds with bison production of wild species. the conservation plains opposition to listing Given its risk, the bison bison as a species at its true industry is demonstrating to the recovery colours and its threat the species and of this magnificent The conservation grassland ecosystem. diversity, issues related to genetic hybridization and domestication listing. all support plains bison science, now we COSEWIC has the need the political will! closed the door on listing and will be working with the public to develop an approach for the recovery of wild his decision plains bison. However, ties one hand behind his back in are AWA Groups like recovery efforts. © Karl Geist Domestic livestock grazing Conservationists are still supported by It is our view, In almost all cases, bison raised In almost all cases, Conservationists recognize Conservationists can continue to be an important part of the economy and play a role in grassland biodiversity conservation; we also need to advance the however, That is the role wild bison model. playing. It feels comfortable AWA is promoting a workshop next fall in Montana to engage ranchers, scientists and conservationists in a constructive debate to get to the next plateau where wild bison would once again play a major role in maintaining the diversity between “wild” and “domestic.” between “wild” and working on defining the attributes of “conservation herds.” Grazing, both wild and domestic, must be used in a full species conservation framework. considerable negative evidence of Alberta the game farming industry in and elsewhere, that we should not be domesticating wild species. Promoting non-conservation plains bison herds muddies the water immensely. that some private herds may have private herds may that some reasons, value for various conservation both innovative management, including It is not important genetic and cultural. only whether who owns the bison, the full range of they are providing ecological benefits. like cattle are not “conservation” cattle herds are. herds any more than like cattle, some private However, to provide some herds may be able in the continuum conservation benefit no humps, wide rumps, short legs, no short legs, rumps, wide no humps, i.e. to aggressiveness, and no jumping them.” domesticate

Some people think that getting Bison must be managed in their A growing body of literature growing body of A Wild bison played an incredibly Wild The goal of most commercial The goal of most commercial The recovery of original genetic of original genetic The recovery genetically altered by producers who want to turn them into creatures with plains is important but it may have As more drawbacks than benefits. must one of my friends noted, “We keep bison wild and not have them hybrids, wildlife-proof fencing). bison, any kind of bison, back into the for market. We must not replace We for market. one second-best approach (livestock grazing) with another (cattle/bison as grassland ecosystem modifiers. as grassland ecosystem modifiers. ecosystem role rather than as a product grazing has been the replacement but we have nothing that approaches the scale and intensity of wild bison herds cattle or domestic bison can’t play any cattle or domestic bison can’t functional ecological role, it is just that wild bison are uniquely adapted to this semi-arid ecosystem. Domestic cattle and bison indicates that large scale and bison indicates that large bison grazing is more compatible with grassland ecosystems. It is not that increase biodiversity. increase biodiversity. comparing grazing behaviour of cattle are now species at risk. Differential are now species at risk. Differential grazing, wallowing, trampling, and fertilization under wild bison grazing important functional role in grassland important functional role in grassland They were a keystone ecosystems. species central to the life cycles of what apply cattle husbandry practices and standards to bison—this will not maintain the plains bison genome. these traits reduces genetic variation and changes the look and behavior over time. Many bison producers for traits serving this purpose, e.g. for traits serving this growth and conformation, docility, carcass composition. Selection for maximizing calf production, feed to maximizing calf production, meat and meat conversion efficiency Over time, they must select quality. and to the loss of the wild type and its and to the loss of the genetic diversity. by increase profit bison ranchers is to are extinct. Domestication leads to Domestication leads are extinct. based behavior, altered genetically and function physiology morphology, diversity is difficult once an animal is difficult diversity and wild stocks is domesticated wild character being tamed producing producing being tamed character wild the to less adapted animals natural environment.

HALLENGES C SRD says they are well aware In July, AWA resumed field trips AWA In July, Significant damage was seen at a An SRD representative recounted Data on illegal motorized use was Data on illegal motorized ECREATION the adventures of two individuals who not only ignored signs but the creeks swollen from heavy rainfall in June. They attempted to drive across a creek on a trail restricted from motorized use The vehicle and got stuck in the water. spent the night in the river before being towed, but the riders were rescued by a local outfitter. significant. Use recorded by counters significant. Use recorded by counters did not capture all instances of off- greater percentage A trail illegal use. of illegal activity occurred during weekdays rather than on weekends. into the study area. In more than one area, we observed vehicle tracks on trails that had signs indicating limits to OHVs either they were off In some seasonally or permanently. cases signs were torn down, and occasionally mutilated, before riders proceeded on undesignated trails. Whitegoat Creek area trailhead in the tracks The of the Job/Cline FLUZ. continued for at least seven kilometres and up the trail on which off-highway snow vehicles are only permitted Near April 30. from December 1 to the trailhead recent vehicle tracks bypassed the main trail in favour of a turning it into grassy meadow, boggy, a muddy mess. area, often old, hard-packed exploration area, often old, hard-packed these trails are roads. Branching off that are not many secondary trails use, but may designated for motorized Both types of be used by other users. for use. trails were surveyed special counters gathered directly by or damage left or inferred from tracks occurred during behind. Illegal use designated trails restricted times, when were closed to motorized use, or when users left the designated trails and used non-designated trials or created non- While only a designated frolic areas. use small percentage of recorded OHV in the study area was illegal, it was still R

ACE

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ONTINUES C In spite of increased and improved The study area within Bighorn Additional environmental impacts In response to the government’s In response to the government’s The Bighorn Wildland, a 4000 a 4000 Wildland, The Bighorn area located adjacent to Banff to Banff area located adjacent 2 persists in the area. The study area had persists in the area. trails that are designated for motorized use during certain months of the year. These are generally main trails into the the trampling and removal of native vegetation, landscape fragmentation, wildlife disturbance, and degradation the increasing With of watersheds. demand for outdoor recreation, it is critical that the impacts of recreational activities be well managed within wilderness areas. Use Illegal OHV signage, monitoring and regulation activity enforcement, illegal OHV long-term management and decision-making. is being subjected to intensive Wildland recreational use, predominantly in and equestrian use. the form of OHV in These recreation types have resulted environmental degradation including use, braiding, rutting and off-trail erosion of trails, and illegal off-trail/out of season use. from recreational activity include recreation opportunities that are among recreation opportunities the best in the province. Human use, particularly equestrian and however, motorized, is a growing threat to landscape and watershed integrity. decision to allow motorized vehicle use initiated AWA Wildland, in the Bighorn a study of the impacts of motorized and other types of recreation use in one FLUZ. Monitoring the impacts of both new and traditional recreational uses of this area is crucial for effective km Parks in west and Jasper National last Alberta’s is one of Alberta, central relatively intact and remaining large The area supports wilderness areas. for grizzlies irreplaceable habitat maintains intact and other wildlife, support major forest and soils that backcountry headwaters, and provides ILDLAND W IGHORN

By David Samson, AWA Conservation Specialist Conservation AWA Samson, By David B severe rutting severe The Bighorn Wildland was Wildland The Bighorn Illegal off-highway vehicle (OHV) vehicle off-highway Illegal the left. This site is 65m in length. trail (left, with people) with moderate/ Trial damage due to braiding and deep Trial right hand side and multi-use braids on right hand side and multi-use braids on severe vegetation damage and moderate/ severe Secondary trail branching off designated rutting. A horse braid can be seen on the A rutting. prime protection zone, which prohibits motorized recreation. where six forest land use zones (FLUZ) were established. Previously the area had been managed primarily under Alberta Eastern Slopes Policy as the 2002 under Alberta Sustainable 2002 under Bighorn (SRD) Resource Department’s Access Management Plan, Backcountry opened to motorized access in October regulations can be difficult regulations can be difficult and frustrating. old regulations governing motorized old regulations governing the government use in the area, and is finding that enforcement of those study, conducted by AWA, is in its third AWA, conducted by study, is still The results show there year. of the three-year- significant violation use and serious trail damage are two of use and serious trail facing the Bighorn the main challenges according to the results of Wildland, The study. a recreation monitoring

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W W 14 WILDERNESS WATCH WLA August 2005 • Vol.13, No.4 15 Horse trail through forest forest Horse trail through and respectful of other users. and respectful an OHV group erected this sign at a erected group an OHV Bighorn Heritage Trails Association, Bighorn Heritage Trails motorized users to be responsible riders motorized users to be responsible muddy bog site. Others signs encourage muddy bog site. Others signs encourage

Of the 37% non-designated trails Of the non-designated trails Another type of structural damage, structural of type Another The creation of frolic areas is In forest areas, braids are In forest areas, these activities differed However, the severity of structural damage, the impact on vegetation was high for all habitat types. with 80% of erosion events occurring on equestrian trails and only 20% on trials. 75% of erosion events OHV from equestrian use occurred in grass habitat and 19% in shrub habitat. Ruts ranged from a depth of 36cm to 76cm, with the deepest found on equestrian trials. inventoried, 63% were predominantly horse trails, half of them in forest habitat. Half showed moderate to severe structural damage. Regardless of signs posted by the Bighorn Heritage signs posted by the Bighorn Heritage Society at the main access point ATV As of late to discourage illegal use. July 2004, it appeared that most frolic areas had not been used yet that season years earlier in caused damage although was still visible. ruts or erosion events, caused 10% of all the damage measured and they are typically exacerbated by water runoff. Equestrian trails appeared to be the most susceptible to this type of damage With equestrian use, 94% of braiding With damage occurred in shrub and forest While habitat with 6% in grass habitat. little less braiding use caused a OHV than equestrian use in forest and shrub habitat (82%), it caused three times as much damage in grass meadows (17%). Ten an activity exclusive to OHVs. percent of damage caused by OHVs is in the form of frolic areas and all of the damage measured was in marshy areas. Many of the frolic areas have caused by horses or OHVs, 80% was in horses or OHVs, caused by braiding. the form of users attempting to usually formed by water and mud puddles. avoid larger grass habitat, Whereas in shrub and to the existence they may be due more sight, allowing users of a longer line of explore off-trail to take shortcuts and or by horses leaving areas more easily, to pass. the trail to allow OHVs impacted. in the types of habitat of trail damage, was the cause of 80% cause of was the damage, of trail was and measured, total damage of the OHVs horses (43%) and due to both the amount of damage (57%). Of Braiding, the most common type Just over half of the damaged Two main types of damage were Two Although OHVs have trails Of the approximately 30 Of the approximately Our concern remains that despite remains that despite Our concern shrubby meadow habitat. severity of damage. OHV trails were trails severity of damage. OHV approximately three times wider through all habitats compared to equestrian trails, with the widest in about a tenth were due to equestrian use. Each of these three primary activities creates its own type and areas were due to OHV use, about a use, areas were due to OHV third were due to random camping and meadow, grass meadows, and marsh. meadow, About half of the overall damage occurs in shrub habitat. the amount of vegetation remaining on the trail. Four main habitat types were recognized: forest, shrub/shrub measure of the level of degradation of measure of the level of degradation of the trail and consisted of such measures as braiding, rutting and erosion. damage was a measure of Vegetation further damage. measured. Structural damage was a only open to OHVs in the winter. It is only open to OHVs in the winter. likely that users wished to avoid OHVs on other trails, but this has resulted in allowed to leave the trail. More intensive equestrian use was found on the one designated trail which is designated for their activity, the total designated for their activity, area of damage they cause on and is much greater than that off-trail of equestrian users, who are legally designated for motorized use and 49 trails not designated for motorized use. showed structural or vegetation damage showed structural or vegetation damage that ranged from negligible to severe. Damage was measured on three trails Trail Damage Trail kilometres of trail surveyed, over 50% continued degradation of the ecological continued degradation integrity of the area. they were allowed to have motorized they were allowed the area, illegal vehicle access into Ongoing structural access continues. will lead to and vegetation damage the best intentions and actions of SRD and actions the best intentions groups to have riders and local OHV under which adhere to the regulations formulating strategies and actions to strategies and actions formulating problem. address the of this illegal activity and are making are making activity and illegal of this despite the at enforcement, efforts in doing so, and are inherent difficulties

Increase officer presence and Increase officer presence AWA would like to acknowledge the support support the acknowledge to like would AWA In August 2004, AWA met with AWA August 2004, In Long term, the need is clear (2) Close and reclaim trails not and reclaim trails (2) Close with clear and (3) Post more signs (4) number of (5) Reduce the total The government needs to and they remain priorities today. Adams LaSalle and Foundation Wilburforce the of Suncor and work, slopes eastern our for Foundation Ecotrust, Alberta Canada, Shell Foundation, Energy House Mountain Rocky Co-op, Equipment Mountain Senior Manning Ernest School, Elementary Lochearn Conservation Alberta the and Students Art School High project. monitoring our for Association repair and restoration of damaged enforcement of areas, and effective maintains AWA existing regulations. monitoring communication with SRD’s and maintenance teams and we will continue our own monitoring project for two more seasons. SRD to highlight sites of immediate These concern within the study area. sites were considered to be those most in need of improvement such as closure and restoration. In September new trail upgrades had been made on a few August of the areas outlined in the and They included reseeding meeting. closure of some secondary trails as well as the erection of new signage. for legal protection for the Bighorn watersheds, to conserve Wildland and wildlife ecological integrity, public’s These were the populations. priorities when the Bighorn was designated as prime protection zone under the Eastern Slopes Policy in 1977 demarcated within the landscape the landscape within demarcated avoid use and illegal to deter damage. increased and for motorized use designated their creation. Repair discourage trails and avoid continued designated stream- damage. Erect appropriate to reduce and crossing structures bank erosion, eliminate further stream pollution, and sedimentation. the entrance to all concise messages at educational outreach trails, and provide for all users. of patrols in the area. alternate the timing random campsites and have clearly defined rules about random camping. Designate some formal campsites. ensure that proper resources and expertise is available for education,

. Moderate to 2 to 1665m 2 AWA remains opposed to AWA (1) Secondary trails and braided In the long term, there are legal A third of the camps contained third of the camps A Random camping is an Random camping is level of illegal off-trail and out of level of illegal off-trail season use. Furthermore, due to large areas of braiding and other damage, designated trails must be better motorized use in the Bighorn Wildland. Wildland. motorized use in the Bighorn The continued illegal activity, difficulties in enforcement of the regulations pertaining to motorized use, and continuing trail damage support In the meantime we are this view. recommending the following measures: areas along the Onion Lake, Ranger Creek, and Hummingbird Creek trails should be closed and reclaimed to restore site integrity and reduce the activities that are cause for concern With if not adequately managed. increasing use of the area for these activities, unavoidable impacts will Therefore, an early knowledge occur. of what types of activities contribute to what kinds of damage is essential to preparing a strategy to mitigate that come with the negative effects increased volume of use. Future the Recommendations for severe vegetation damage was observed severe vegetation damage The extent of in 64% of the sites. damage to these campsites was partially caused by a lack of distinct access points. horse camp infrastructure comprised primarily of straw and cut trees wedged between live trees for tying horses. Adding to the impact was that 68% of sites had garbage strewn across them in such forms as beer and pop cans, hubcaps, metal pipes, and broken glass. Vegetation damage was slight in damage was Vegetation but moderate/severe grass meadows, of sites in more than 80% to severe All forested sites had measured. vegetation damage. moderate to severe activity unrestricted and increasing damage if not which can produce The damage properly managed. but some is mostly to vegetation, The can also occur. structural damage surveyed ranged sizes of the campsites from 11m that were multi-use trails, including including trails, multi-use that were 20% showed use, OHV illegal damage, to severe structural moderate vegetation damage. and all showed Trail braiding Trail A typical frolic area area frolic typical A bed has widen due to erosion. bed has widen due to erosion.

An OHV trail bypasses the main route route trail bypasses the main An OHV and goes through a stream. The stream stream The a stream. and goes through S. Swettenham S.

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ranch land Gordon Cartwright on his Gordon Despite photographs at a recent AWA has been involved in AWA Porcupine Hills and on to the Rocky Mountains. Compton open house, with the caption “native plant growth after reclamation,” it is well known that native fescue grasslands have never been successfully restored after damage. Native grasslands cannot be restored, and “mitigation” cannot ever contests. If the company has consulted contests. If the company has consulted the local community and the local community has made it clear that they do not want the development, then the development will go ahead regardless. Around 20,000 well applications are In the past 10 years, made every year. just four have been turned down on environmental grounds. Gas? Natural Natural Grass or the Livingstone/Porcupine area for are The Porcupine Hills decades. always one of the favourite destinations The in our summer hikes program. offer Trail ridges of the Skyline unparalleled views west over the ANGELANDS R

RAGILE F S ’ LBERTA A But opponents of this carpet- And in 2003, EUB again refused Local ranching groups, including and Energy Alberta the 1999 In “The EUB and Ministry of Energy “The EUB and Ministry of Energy At a recent open house at Chain At a recent open house bombing have their work cut out. Decisions on whether to allow oil and gas development are never popularity nearby. In 2002, Vermillion Resources Resources Vermillion 2002, In nearby. plans criticized hotly its withdrew Ltd to near rangeland on gas for drill to from opposition strong after Longview community. ranching the permission to Polaris Resources Ltd. to drill for sour gas on the borders of Whaleback, partly the newly protected because of the irreplaceable habitat and partly because of Polaris’ woeful communication with the local community. per section.” The Battle Begins the Pekisko Group and the Livingstone Landowners Group, and environmental are gearing up for AWA groups such as a fight, and this clearly is not going to be an easy battle for Compton. historic a in (EUB), Board Utilities Amoco to permission denied decision, area Whaleback spectacular the in drill to per section—known colourfully in the per section—known industry as “carpet-bombing”—in the Livingstone/Porcupine area is truly staggering. …constantly permits higher well densities wherever industry asks for Andrew Nikiforuk, them,” points out researcher for the Livingstone Landowners Group. “Many parts of support oil well Alberta now eastern densities of 100 wells per section and gas well densities of 32 wells field, would require a well density field, would require than in more considerably higher conventional formations. Compton Lakes Provincial Park, well densities officials admitted that acres could be of one well per 10 The prospect of 64 gas wells required. OMBING -B ARPET By Nigel Douglas, AWA Conservation Specialist Conservation AWA Douglas, By Nigel C “That land yields a cultural “That land yields a Aldo Leopold - The rock formations under the But all is not well in this staunch “The land between the Oldman Cattle graze peacefully amidst Talking to Gordon Cartwright, as Talking harvest is a fact long known but harvest is a fact long often forgotten.” natural gas formation. Development of this formation, known as the Callum Livingstone area and the adjacent Porcupine Hills are folded back on themselves, creating a complex “tight” exploratory gas wells in the area, with a further 15 planned in the near future. And this is no ordinary gas play. ranching community: there is one major cloud on the horizon. Compton Petroleum is planning to drill six Carpet-Bombing of Alberta’s early economy long before early economy long before Alberta’s of there was a provincial government or oil and gas revenue.” represents the largest block of represents the largest remaining perennial grasslands on the continent,” Cartwright says. “These drought proof grasses formed the heart and the Highwood rivers along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains which Cartwright, a member of the Pekisko Group, describes as “Alberta’s longest standing sustainable industry.” a landscape which has changed little in the past 100 years; a landscape inseparable from the ranching tradition a riotous explosion of wildflowers, a riotous explosion of wildflowers, with the breath-taking backdrop of the majestic southern Kananaskis This is mountains in the background. on the line to protect this landscape and on the line to protect this landscape and this way of life. foothills of Alberta, it is easy to Alberta, foothills of understand why somebody would be willing to work so hard, to put so much we look out over his timeless rangeland we look out over his southwest of Longview in the southern

Land Advocate Land ANTS W for all MLA’s can be found by for all MLA’s calling the government toll-free number 310-0000), and Alberta Energy Applications, SW Avenue 640-5 Utility Board 3G4 AB T2P Calgary, According to the This is not just about looking just about looking This is not and “The local community Send your comments to: • Sarah Paulson, Facilities • Your MLA (contact information (contact information MLA • Your OVERNMENT For more information go to: For more www.pekisko.ca www.livingstone-landowners-group.net old ones. MAC found a number of issues unique to CBM, primarily dealing with water. the government was forced to hold public meetings to determine if regulatory changes were needed for CBM development because of increasing pressure by landowners concerned about compressor noise, famed Rocky Mountain front last year,” year,” front last Mountain Rocky famed we can’t “Why out Nikiforuk. points Klein for the same?” ask Ralph this fragile habitat: after a beautiful, has community which is a local which around an industry developed be sustainable for has shown itself to a hundred years. purpose hold its sense of place and land, expertise, the critical tools of experience, and commitment preserve and that are essential to function on these enhance ecological “For the landscapes,” says Cartwright. it is only a few weeks sector energy few weeks worth A worth of energy. that may destroy this of energy landscape forever.” Action: and regulations and ensure that the resource is developed responsibly.” The Pembina Institute believes that full projects should undergo large-scale environmental impact assessments, but industry and government are not keen on creating new rules, just streamlining G OW

, N , Preliminary Preliminary ARN B THE

EFT for inclusion in the final for inclusion in the final L The Livingstone Landowners “Underground assets should not “Underground According to MAC, although HAS

and the Pekisko Group are calling for and the Pekisko Group are calling for a time-out from these developments. Bush declared such “President George moratorium on drilling in Montana’s CBM development will follow the same regulatory framework as conventional natural gas, “there is a need to examine the current rules contribution to future supplies of clean contribution to future supplies of clean irreversible water), which could suffer damage if Compton is allowed to continue with its plans. simply be liquidated at the expense of surface assets,” points out Cartwright. royalty issues tenure and surface/air, AWA and held public meetings. Working participated in the Surface-Air MAC will evaluate Group (SAWG). comments received on the Findings the Curiously, report due later this year. terms name contains both committee’s The government prefers for CBM. “natural coal in gas,” likely because of the controversy and negative stories about CBM development in the U.S. drop of oil and gas that we possibly we possibly gas that of oil and drop and think to stop but we need can, value of these complex about the their systems (including ecological NPUT ORSE I in the southern foothills UBLIC CBM H CBM P Editor WLA By Shirley Bray, Cows graze contentedly on native fescue grasslands on the Cartwright ranch Cows graze contentedly on native fescue The Committee, formed in Sure, Alberta’s economy is Alberta’s Sure, “Whatever oil and gas exists In spite of the fact that coalbed But what is the urgency to drill for is the urgency But what

booming, as we rush to suck up every booming, as we rush to suck up every 2003, had working groups for water, house. “This asset can only appreciate house. “This asset can only appreciate over time.” Natural Gas in Coal Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Committee (MAC) has for submitted its preliminary findings public review. beneath the ground there is a public said Albertans,” asset owned by Cartwright at a recent Compton open like public feedback on a number of key recommendations for CBM The Coalbed Methane/ development. gas in the ground, then it will still be there for future generations. more than 3500 wells drilled by the end of 2004 and another 3000 expected would now the government this year, methane (CBM) development is with ahead in the province, charging

this marginal resource? If we leave the If we leave the resource? this marginal adequately replace what is lost; once is lost; once what replace adequately forever. are lost are lost, they they N. Douglas N.

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WILDERNESS WATCH WLA August 2005 • Vol.13, No.4 19 J. Ernst J. Although there may be ways Alberta Sustainable Resource A suggestion by SAWG to suggestion by SAWG A were concerned about “sterilizing” surface use through setbacks – 100m would What area for a CBM well). they recognize as being unsuitable for CBM development, especially if it is an internationally allowed in Rumsey, significant grassland? to drill gas wells that minimize the changes made to a wilderness area, delay CBM development in areas where it would damage long-term until suitable ecological viability, technology was available, was roundly criticized by government and industry The EUB believes that representatives. current regulations provide sufficient The EUB protection of sensitive areas. has Information Letters providing guidelines for oil and gas development in the south eastern slopes, Rumsey and native prairie. But guidelines are carry penalties not legislation and don’t when violated. Some stakeholders were concerned that there is a lack of awareness and enforcement of these Information Letters. want Development (SRD) didn’t anything that might “sterilize access to the mineral resource.” (Others project-based assessments of impacts of impacts assessments project-based rights; of mineral to the posting prior review its regulatory (2) the EUB ways to ensure minimal process for and cumulative surface disturbance recommendation (now MAC effects (3) cumulative effects 4.2.1); and early in the assessment be conducted whether CBM process to determine in the development is appropriate to identify potential proposed area and irreversible impacts.

Compressors near Rosebud Compressors Regarding cumulative effects, Regarding cumulative effects, AWA felt that existing AWA AWA’s position is that CBM AWA’s important sites and species. recommended that (1) the EUB AWA and the government promote more be subjected to ecological assessment and monitoring before, during and life-cycle after the project. Full-field planning must be required for all new developments including phase-out and reclamation/restoration planning. conventional regulations are inadequate also AWA for CBM development. pointed out the potential negative on of industrial activity effects wildlife and recommended strategies to minimize impacts and identify development (or other industry) should not occur in protected areas or other environmentally sensitive areas, especially those of provincial, national or international significance. in also opposes development AWA at zones around these areas, or, buffer the very least, believes there should be special management that would avoid compromising the ecological integrity of the core areas of high ecological value. CBM exploration and development in other areas must facilities such as compressors), such as compressors), facilities venting, and and flaring increased may dust and noise. CBM increased and the benefits significantly affect ecosystems opportunities of healthy services such which provide many clean as functioning watersheds, and habitat and biodiversity, air, recreational opportunities. water contamination, increased increased contamination, water or habitat disturbance surface density, (increased well fragmentation the need for additional roads and

August Report on WLA Globe and Mail December 2004 and February and 2004 December AWA believes that CBM is a AWA Of the many recommendations The first recommendation is Although MAC considers all of Although MAC considers A recent article by Andrew recent article by A WLA long-term integrity and health of the include The impacts may environment. gain consensus.” high-impact, long-term industry that may negatively impact the short and the original recommendations [made appeared to be substantively AWA] by contentious and were revised to According to SAWG’s final report, According to SAWG’s the only exception to this was the issue of environmental health, “where non-consensus recommendations were from those accompanied by qualifiers it. who did not support organizations the issue of environmental health. While consensus was reached on a number of issues dealt with by SAWG, that came out of SAWG, AWA made a AWA that came out of SAWG, to have wildlife and determined effort environmental concerns included under CBM development, and (3) determine CBM development, and (3) determine if current land management processes adequately protect ESAs. and function of the land,” (2) make a and function of the land,” (2) make a list of environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) that are not appropriate for existing integrated land management existing integrated land management principles, policies and practices relating to CBM maintain “the integrity committee to look at several ways to protect the environment and minimize cumulative impacts. MAC suggests this new committee (1) ensure that Protecting the Environment Protecting to create another multi-stakeholder considered for early action. Some of the issues are considered below. its 40 recommendations important, its 40 recommendations they have made a top ten list to be less than satisfactory experiences of the less than satisfactory with EnCana’s community of Rosebud project in the area. commercial CBM Nikiforuk, called “Life Inside a Science Nikiforuk, called “Life Project,” ( April 29/05) describes the Business, province and the CBM scene in the 2005) have been of particular concern been of particular 2005) have and landowners. for conservationists south eastern slopes (see south eastern Area the Rumsey Natural 2005) and (see groundwater depletion, declining declining depletion, groundwater fragmentation and the values property The and public lands. of agricultural

Looking Strathmore Strathmore April 16/05). that there was concern (May 5, 2005) Tom Neufeld, Tom (May 5, 2005) In a letter to the In August 2004, the National August 2004, the In Mike Gatens, Chairman of The EUB proposed to eliminate The EUB proposed Calgary Herald, Sharla Rauschning of the Department denied that a “blanket of Energy approval” process for CBM was being considered. Standard a communications manager for the job the EUB’s EUB, wrote that it’s on Albertans “to listen to the views of welcome development and we energy density of wells for a given land area density of wells for a given land area from one gas well per section per pool to four for shallower wells and two for the deeper Mannville wells. Board (NEB) wrote in Energy Ahead to 2010 – Natural gas Markets in Transition “by some CBM producers over their ability to obtain timely regulatory number of wells approval for the large that may be required to develop CBM. It was suggested that a new regulatory and that framework may beneficial, regulators could consider a ‘blanket to approve drilling programs approach’ for this type of development.” the Board of the Canadian Society of Unconventional Gas, told a concerned landowner in December 2004 that the EUB was considering changing the process for downspacing applications, and that was along the blanket approach. lines of the NEB’s Byrnes of the EUB and Tom But and reduced cumulative impact due impact due cumulative and reduced in Instead, development. to CBM Bulletin the EUB released March 2005, to proposed changes 2005-08 which subsurface well-spacing the EUB’s south process in eastern applications Subsurface well Alberta. and central the number of spacing has to do with to recover wells potentially necessary gas from a reservoir. landowner the requirement for consultation notification or community downspacing of applications for of wells on a (increasing the number only potentially piece of land). Instead, parties would subsurface affected as landowners be notified because, were told, what happens under the landowners surface does not affect (see Landowners would only be notified The EUB also of surface facilities. proposed to increase the baseline

MAC recommended that the EUB “Northwest New Mexico has Tweeti and Linn Blancett, Tweeti MAC supported the right of the right of MAC supported EUB Bulletin Raises Ire of Landowners of Ire Raises Bulletin EUB review its regulatory process for ways to support minimal surface disturbance West,” warns Tweeti. She proposes that Tweeti. warns West,” to Westerners stand together as “We make industry meet their responsibilities must We to all public land users. campaign as a block and vote as a must form alliances between We block. farmers and ranchers, environmentalists and conservationists, hunters and fishermen, liberals and conservatives, can We Republicans and Democrats. deliver the votes by working together in a new way.” happened to us will happen across the in Cowley in late July that the scale of in Cowley in late July her CBM development had made part of land unviable for ranching. Is this the Alberta? balance we are preparing for in on the altar of corporate been sacrificed What has greed and political buy-offs. their land”, but pointed out it had to be but pointed out their land”, to with the right of industry balanced from and gas, the benefits produce oil employment, and royalties, taxes and Albertans to a clean and the right of But who decides this safe environment. balance? in New sixth generation ranchers hard to carry Mexico, have worked hoping to on the ranching tradition, to their son and pass this heritage on an audience told Tweeti grandchildren. environmental, recreational or other or other recreational environmental, sensitivities.” of to “a quiet enjoyment landowners

A 1100m long lease road to a CBM well. long lease road 1100m A MAC points out that the MAC also recommended that MAC also recommended

development will likely occur in such areas, including “lands with special CBM activity in areas unaccustomed or unsuitable for the pace, scale and density of such development. But MAC writes that future CBM levels and types of allowable use.” certain stakeholders However, expressed particular concern regarding mechanisms to maintain the environmental integrity of public lands while specifying the different government “uses a variety of legislation and management how to restore rough fescue grasslands and they are very vulnerable to invasive species. Rumsey, that has been brought up Rumsey, is that we do not know continuously, putting back a cover of vegetation, The but restoration is not. is easy, problem in native grasslands, like government and industry work together government and industry of sensitive to improve reclamation areas impacted by CBM. Reclamation, development but to develop a “best development but to practices” manual. impact will occur to the environment.” impact will occur to is still open to The word “severe” the favoured interpretation. However, not to limit solution for CBM is read “no CBM development should development read “no CBM that have proven be approved in areas severe studies indicating a scientific integrity, believes AWA. The Butte The Butte AWA. believes integrity, wanted stronger Action Committee should said the statement wording and there are some that should be off-limits be off-limits that should are some there that on the principle to development their of any kind violates development J. Ernst J.

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WILDERNESS WATCH WLA August 2005 • Vol.13, No.4 21 J. Ernst J. Unconventional In April 2004 the Butte Action April 2004 the Butte In The government has no idea of The government has has The Pembina Institute June 2003). They pointed out that They pointed out June 2003). Wishes About Water About Wishes Committee asked for a moratorium on CBM development if it was associated MAC had made until with freshwater, its recommendations. Industry has downplayed concerns about water, following horror stories from the U.S., by assuring us that the coal beds in the shallower Horseshoe Canyon and overall development plan be required overall development plan be required for intensive exploration or commercial CBM projects, as suggested by the should projects EUB, but large-scale [environmental be subject to an EIA impact assessment]” ( Gas, EIAs are required for oilsands projects but facilities, processing gas and oil and not conventional or CBM wells. EIAs air, need to consider impacts on water, land and communities. prior to MAC’s issuing of its final of its final issuing to MAC’s prior of Minister to the recommendations of, the filing “Not to wait for Energy. would to, that report and response effort the time and seem to belittle process into this consultation being put public’s undermine the and seriously of it.” confidence in the meaningfulness in the the scale of CBM development it will exceed that province, except that The problem is of conventional gas. may minimize that although everyone are just too many their footprint, there The EUB approves projects footprints. not on a on a case-by-case basis, basis. cumulative impact recommended that “not only should an Two drill rigs 400m apart Two Referring to the democratic CIRL criticized the EUB for CIRL They suggested that failure to that failure They suggested convenience of industry. wondered why the process, CIRL EUB was putting out this bulletin regulate the oil and gas industry in the They pointed to the public interest. in background information bulletin’s which it states that “there has been a significant increase in the number of applications requesting higher well density spacing” and then recommends that there be higher baseline densities. They considered it unacceptable that the EUB was making decisions based, not on what would maximize the but on established public interest now, trends and what would maximize the engaged at the earliest possible time, if engaged at the earliest possible time, the rights of ordinary citizens are to be fully protected”. appearing to follow the lead of industry instead of exercising its powers to apply for more wells. “Experience so apply for more wells. clearly shows that the public must be provide notice and an opportunity to be and an opportunity provide notice licences owners when heard to surface sold by the Department are being Also, is unconstitutional. of Energy well spacing a decision to reduce real possibility of a “presents the very ‘security of threat to surface owners’ and other interests protected person’ and thus notice by administrative law, to be heard should and an opportunity that if They argued be ensured.” for reduced well companies applied they were going to spacing, then surely principles of fundamental justice,” justice,” of fundamental principles of fairness the duty as “under as well law.” for by administrative provided

Researchers at the Canadian The Coalition for Alberta’s Future Alberta’s The Coalition for Tim Belec of Battle Lake felt the Tim “Bulletin 2005-08 has shocked 2005-08 has shocked “Bulletin person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the might invite a challenge under section 7 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which gives everyone in Canada the right to “life, liberty and security of the surface owners and thus notice to them that by They argued is not required.” treating surface owners unfairly it seems to us just wrong to say that decisions regarding the subsurface for do not have serious ramifications final report. Institute of Resources Law wrote “it and Councils (AAMDC) which passed a resolution calling for the bulletin to be withdrawn until after MAC’s requested a full public review of the mandate to make decisions in EUB’s They supported the the public interest. Association of Municipalities, Districts bulletin be rescinded or the Coalition bulletin be rescinded or the Coalition might call for the resignation of the McCrank. CFAC chairman, Neil EUB’s (CFAC), representing more than 5000 representing (CFAC), citizens and families, demanded in a news release (April 15/05) that the with representation from all sectors of society. the EUB was merely a political tool of the EUB was merely a political tool of government and “the handmaiden of the oil and gas industry” and demanded elected board Alberta have an that Bulletin was unfair and was not looking Bulletin was unfair and was not looking that rights. He charged out for citizens’ demanded that more time be given The EUB to the public to respond. extended the deadline by 40 days. not less.” She argued that the blanket not less.” She argued would approval for downspacing diminish the rights of landowners. She province have already made it clear to province have already that more industry and the government Alberta is required, consultation in of our Assistant Deputy Minster of of our and the MAC Mike Ekelund Energy, chaired for so long. stakeholders he has throughout the Stakeholder groups are still reeling from the implications from the implications are still reeling EUB went so of it, notably that the dedicated work far as to dismiss the many,” wrote Jessica Ernst, a Rosebud Ernst, a Rosebud wrote Jessica many,” on with a CBM operation landowner “Concerned stakeholders her land. all public scrutiny of our decision.” decision.” of our scrutiny all public an earful. EUB got the Well,

. Some MAC members wanted CFAC points out that Alberta, points out that CFAC discussion There was significant well testing as a best practice. While well testing as a best practice. the EUB strongly encourages water require it, and well testing, it doesn’t testing is, therefore, inconsistent. water well testing to be a requirement and recommended that all water wells on surrounding aquifers, considering considering aquifers, on surrounding to the the risk where areas geographical supplies quantity of water quality or areas, greater than in other might be methane the potential for investigating wells as or release to water migration and CBM depressurization, a result of a lot more detailed generally obtaining where CBM information in areas drilling will occur. gas wells, has with 300,000 oil and monitoring wells only 300 groundwater has almost no while Manitoba, which has 600. oil and gas activity, possible on fresh water production, codes of practice, uses and diversion, compliance and even a “decision tree” as a guide. But rural landowners are understandably concerned about their own water wells on which they are dependent for household needs. MAC notes that industry has adopted water That’s not true. Most oil and That’s Some MAC members thought it MAC recommends more MAC thinks that before there is that before there MAC thinks unintended side effects of CBM drilling of CBM drilling unintended side effects connected aquifers might react. connected aquifers would be best to develop dry wells first, saline wells next and then non-saline wells to allow time to gather more do AWA information. Others, such as non-saline in development any want not coals, and still others think we should proceed with non-saline wells now. monitoring, completing the groundwater inventory in the province, investigating the potential for water producing wells, we should wells, we should water producing that those water resources make sure impact. protected from are adequately are aquifers. Non-saline water seams water at all Should we be removing extraction may Water from these? of surface water result in alteration or contamination hydrology or quality MAC notes or co-mingling of aquifers. information about there is insufficient rates in areas groundwater recharge intense CBM that could experience how hydraulically development or on what is happening with the thousands the thousands with is happening what drilled. or being drilled already of wells (fresh) growth in non-saline significant From: Livingstone Landowner’s Group Fact Sheet, July 25, 2005 Group Livingstone Landowner’s From: densities where ever industry asks for them. in the province—a $9.4 32 wells per section. More than 33,000 wells and 9,322 facilities remain unreclaimed The EUB has only a $20-million security deposit to cover this record. American and a North billion deficit outstanding deficit. The US Bureau of Land Management takes its orders from Washington just as the EUB takes it orders from Washington The US Bureau of Land Management takes its orders from Edmonton. Both have been given orders to “drill, drill and drill.” that actively violate EUB officials the board only approves one well at a time; approves wells to companies guidelines; and okays 98% of all applications. does not do priority land use planning and constantly permits higher well EUB and Ministry of Energy royalties for Albertans. John King, Vice President of Precision Drilling, simply calls such high density Vice Albertans. John King, royalties for the Horseshoe Canyon play in drilling “carpet bombing.” Others call it “statistical drilling.” For example, 000 sections of land over a wells on 11, Alberta will plant more than 50,000 coal bed methane Central 20-30 year period. oil and gas regulator. Alberta’s and Utility Board, gas commissions in the US are modeled after the Energy coal bed methane (CBM). Tight gas is low flowing gas in deep formations while CBM is low flowing gas in gas in deep formations while CBM is low flowing gas is low flowing Tight coal bed methane (CBM). of low-grade gas are often developed together shallow and deep coal seams. Both types volumes also mean lower stations and lower volumes of gas produced over longer periods of time. Reduced • Many parts of eastern Alberta now support oil well densities of 100 wells per section and gas well densities of Alberta now support oil well densities • Many parts of eastern • Alberta does not have regulations; it only has guidelines loosely enforced by the EUB. According to EUB loosely enforced by the EUB. Alberta does not have regulations; it only has guidelines • The cumulative or environmental impact assessments on unconventional plays. The EUB does not require • • Compton and other companies say our regulations are better than US ones. • Compton and other companies say our regulations are better than US ones. • The province is running out of conventional natural gas and is now pursuing “tight gas,” dirty gas (sour) and The province is running out of conventional natural gas and is now • well density than average; more surface disturbance; more compressor • Unconventional deposits mean greater MAC made a number of EnCana has already caused EnCana has already Water can be produced when can be Water supplies in the province as an ultimate supplies in the province as an ultimate That begs the question as to objective. of whether wells are drilled in dry or scientific more need we seams, coal wet information, with a complete analysis and understanding of all the water recommendations regarding CBM and recommendations regarding CBM and The first, that regardless water issues. consult with all the residents who had consult with all the residents who had the affected negatively wells water their last time. again right in the middle of seven again right in the middle they monitored water wells, of which only three. EnCana reportedly did not problems with water wells in the problems with water planning to drill Rosebud area yet is Confidentiality agreements are often Confidentiality agreements industry proponents requested by some pay to repair or before they agree to well. replace the damaged area. But water damage information water damage information area. But out about to find is extremely difficult reasons. and report on for various drilling these dry wells and that can dry wells and drilling these wells in the aquifers or water affect Belly River formations through south through south River formations Belly dry is a But are dry. Alberta and central relative term.

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WILDERNESS WATCH WLA August 2005 • Vol.13, No.4 23 R. Blanchard R. ,

by MAC and a

Calgary Herald The Preliminary Findings What is Alberta’s vision for our vision Alberta’s What is “The future of ground water, comment form, due Sept. 30, 2005, can be found at comment form, due Sept. 30, 2005, can be found article Nikiforuk’s Andrew www.energy.gov.ab.ca. can also be found on the web. Another possibility is that a rare albino partridge (which has a missing allele for colour), sighted in the spring of last with a regularly could have bred year, marked bird and passed on some of its traits. Blanchard is keeping an eye open this fall to see if this new coloration pattern has been passed on to other partridges. principles at its core. AWA has been has AWA core. at its principles lands public overarching for an calling how many two decades. But policy for the have left the barn that “horses” to follow? is merely going government a small there may be Nevertheless, time to opportunity at this window of and far- influence these important reaching decisions. years from now? landscape 10 or 20 or cumulative How much disturbance If we truly want impact is acceptable? and function to preserve the integrity ecosystems, of our of the land, of our that each of us watersheds, it is vital a truly participate to ensure prosperous future. wildlife, and fescue grasslands,” wrote Andrew Nikiforuk ( April 23/04), “may well depend upon what the citizens of this great province actually value.” and the cap is outlined with white.

Mutant male partridge. The belly patch is missing ARTRIDGE

P Blanchard thinks this variation The government is currently While the government is While the government AWA’s position is that CBM is that CBM position AWA’s mutation. It is not likely that is the result of domestic breeding since breeders do not care to work with these nature. partridge due to their flighty white as though someone had taken a white as though someone had taken a white pencil and had drawn around it; also in the males the rusty U-shaped belly patch was absent. is probably a result of spontaneous intensity of development has become intensity of development “that new citizen so great,” they say, groups are starting up throughout the They are province on a regular basis. Alberta’s concerned about the future of landscape.” Oil and gas drilling, they is now impinging on watersheds, say, subdivisions, tourism, farming economies and property rights. working on a new land use strategy, with integrated land management not be financially promoted, through promoted, not be financially or other the royalty structure changes to the to the detriment of similar subsidy, public good. Conclusion it right,” many concerned with “doing why we are Albertans are asking According fast. doing it at all. Or so says CFAC, to EUB employees, Alberta now industry activity in Arabia. “The surpasses that of Saudi saline Mannville formation without without formation Mannville saline reductions. royalty must and development exploration UNGARIAN H IN

OUND F RAITS T and the rust-coloured cap without any white band and the rust-coloured EW Typical male partridge. Note the U-shaped belly patch Typical Last fall Ray Blanchard, nature MAC recommends a short-term MAC did not go so far as to MAC did not go so N Kidd By Tracee

Instead of the usual solid rust-coloured cap, some of these birds had a ring of known as Grey Partridge), when he noticed that several of them had markings that were out of the ordinary. enthusiast and bird breeder, who who enthusiast and bird breeder, lives south of Chestermere Lake, was looking out his kitchen window at a group of Hungarian Partridge (also

of subsidy distorts the playing field of subsidy distorts the playing field She with respect to renewable energy.” pointed out that industry is already engaging in pilot projects in the “Industry should bear the full cost of of development,” says Mary Griffiths the Pembina Institute, “since any form royalty reduction to gather data on Mannville coals, a move that neither support. AWA the Pembina Institute nor Reducing Royalties potentially in conflict with the current with the potentially in conflict disposal” of fresh practice of deep-well CBM wells. water produced from for deep well disposal. Instead they for deep well disposal. expressed by said that the philosophy Albertans about protecting water many conservation “is supplies and practicing be mandatory. water not be used recommend that fresh drilling. There was no consensus on There was drilling. but recommendation, this proposed testing should believes AWA within an 880m radius of the proposed of the proposed radius an 880m within water quality, tested for well be CBM before and methane flow rate/yield R. Blanchard R.

For those of you incensed enough When pressed about where Martha Kostuch and I could When repeatedly asked if public Mr. Sclar is a forest manager Mr. as described in plan, The R11 there were no definitive answers. there were no definitive No Martha left the meeting early. representative from our stakeholder group was chosen to participate in the September charette (or is that charade?). to write about impending logging in order to Wildland of the Bighorn protect Nordegg and nearby resorts and under existing plans and legislation.” under existing plans and legislation.” While know what this means. all We there may be a tentative burn or two in Prime Protection Zone portions of the Bighorn, fire reduction under this plan will be primarily by logging. there was a great logging would occur, deal of slithering. Prime Protection areas are not to be logged into fire When asked suppression, we were told. Habitat, Wildlife about Zone 2, Critical we were told, “There is no Zone 2 in the area.” only groan in agony—how could these people be presenting such a plan A with so little knowledge of policy? question was asked about the broader and SRD Eastern Slopes Policy, actually deferred to Martha and me to explain! Groan again. input could substantially alter the plan in the areas of the Bighorn to log large name of fire and disease protection, name Doug Sclar was finally released. name Doug Sclar was and Forests under the Public Lands apparently, section of SRD. He, way to protect has decided that the is to log 5% of the Nordegg from fire zones throughout timber from hazard Zone 1, outside Wildland, the Bighorn Prime Protection. to stakeholder the letter of invitation meetings, “… has the same boundaries Management Access as the Bighorn Plan. Prescribed burns will be the preferred method of hazard reduction; some timber harvest may be however, considered in areas deemed appropriate

IT P When asked how the locally When asked why this plan had Notably, our SRD officials Notably, The stakeholder meeting the AWA AWA The stakeholder meeting the It was an SRD meeting-as-usual It was an SRD meeting-as-usual to which SRD is a “platinum sponsor,” to which SRD is a “platinum sponsor,” into When pressed we got cow stares. a corner to tell us who ultimately was Fire Plan, the responsible for the R11 public expense. hazard reduction plan fit developed R11 with other land plans being developed immediately to the north, there were no When asked how this locally answers. with new land developed plan fit management plans being initiated for all public lands, there were no answers. been developed without reference to Community Your “Protecting FireSmart the much-touted plan Wildfire,” from of each was to be chosen to participate of each was to be chosen to participate in a final charette meeting (whatever the to give that is) in mid September, official public go-ahead to spend lots of taxpayer money in defense of Nordegg and various developments that have been allowed to build in the nearby forest. seemed to have no or little knowledge of the elsewhere-acclaimed FireSmart program to protect developments in the urban/wildland interface at no or little They knew how to get that. Just hold a They knew how to meeting and if members of the public showed up, that would constitute every time! Works endorsement. Alberta, it works At least here in every time. was invited to included conservation groups, watershed alliances and were considered We native peoples. to be compatible. Six or seven other “compatible” groups were also being representative A met with separately. aligned perfectly with those of the aligned perfectly with and chamber of commerce off-roader previously and groups that SRD had This, of course, separately met with. gave us great comfort. to; a bureaucratic we had been invited already in place plan was obviously stamp of public and lacked only the implementation. approval prior to its NAKE S ILDFIRE By Vivian Pharis, AWA Board of Directors Board AWA Pharis, By Vivian W A hired facilitator was hell-bent A But, five minutes into the actual On the drive up to Rocky, I tried On the drive up to Rocky, Thus, alas, it was, at the meeting Thus, alas, it was, Getting definitive answers Getting definitive

watershed. We were assured that our We watershed. word-values for the Bighorn group’s on engaging us in value-word games The and there was no dissuading her. front wall was soon covered in paper slips carrying terms like ecosystem and the meeting to proceed in other than a predetermined format. want our input, and they were certainly not prepared to answer our questions. They were also not prepared to allow meeting, it was apparent that while SRD wanted our presence, they did not working cooperatively with it. SRD folks at this meeting would be mostly so we did have hope. new, optimistically, with the hope that with optimistically, things will have changed somehow, and SRD will have adopted a mandate of actually listening to the public and specialist, David Samson, for his first specialist, David Samson, for his first I meeting with a government agency. told him to approach such meetings to prepare AWA’s newest conservation AWA’s to prepare Bighorn Wildland. Wildland. Bighorn reduce fire hazard to the community reduce fire hazard area of Nordegg and various most of the infrastructures by targeting AWA attended June 29 in Rocky attended AWA plans to Mountain House over from Alberta Sustainable Resource from is like trying to Development (SRD) the The harder you try, catch snakes. away. more they just slither

AWA Files AWA

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, August 2001. , WLA

For more information about the ecology For more pests can position statement on forest AWA’s AWA is supportive of a AWA of budget huge Protection’s Forest Papers by Jack Cohen, a primary technical Cohen, a primary technical Papers by Jack Imschoot, from Van Andy and disease and insect infestations infestations insect and disease and interference. human without Alberta see Dr. of the mountain pine beetle in with the forest article “Can we share Mary Reid’s mountain pine beetles?” in be found on our website under Resources/Positions. Deputy Minister John Kristensen in said he had okayed a small fire Meadowland Creek and was not sure zone on burning comfort about B.C.’s Apparently Community in the area. Development is under pressure from some locals around Grande Cache who would like to see massive cutting to reduce fire risk. based approach to scientifically prescribed burning throughout Park in order Wilderness Willmore to return its forests to a more natural condition and to enhance wildlife habitat in critical portions of this area that have been transformed by years of fire control to less productive habitat types. redirected be should million $100 nearly commercial for protection fire from to forests our returning to forests, species mixed of state healthy a they where ages, and composition wildlife catastrophic resist to able are plan to protect communities from fire can be found can be fire from communities protect plan to at http://www3.gov.ab.ca/srd/wildfires/fpd/firesmart. cfm. be found at www. can advisor to FireSmart saveamericasforests.org/congress/Fire/Cohen.htm. of Holmes River towards headwaters us that B.C. was in B.C. He assured supportive of the plan. Parks and Community Development’s that fires AWA Areas, told Protected were planned in Meadowland Creek with a moderate sized burn this fall. Assistant Community Development’s

XACERBATED

E ILLMORE the truly practical and sensible the truly practical W

IN in southern Alberta in southern

However, the message is a little the message However, While the national parks recognize recognize parks national the While FireSmart, AWA is developing position statements on position statements developing is AWA

Beetle infested trees during an outbreak during an outbreak Beetle infested trees

in the near future west of the Smoky burn in including an 11,000ha River, Creek – Pauline Creek Avalanche the area on the B.C. border that would go this in a more natural and long-term way, way, long-term and natural more a in this implementing are Jasper and Banff both burning prescribed aggressive fairly the in also are programs Such programs. Park, Wilderness Willmore for works will logging that assured is AWA where for substitute to allowed be not programs. burning mixed on the exact plans for the area. Rob Harris, the SRD information that five AWA officer for the area, told or six prescribed burns are planned that the pine beetle is a native species, species, native a is beetle pine the that to Alberta from pressure under are they do to order In land. park on it control They have all become ripe targets for ripe targets They have all become infestations of the unnaturally large mountain pine beetle due to decades of fire suppression that has left thick, natural congested forests. Historically, fires swept through portions of our boreal forest in 25-300 year cycles, thinning them and leaving them more able to resist devastating pest attacks. two important matters. These will be posted on our matters. These will be two important website. Park Wilderness Willmore places like parks. and our mountain national both Forest Pests and Forest Fires that are relevant relevant are that Fires and Forest Pests both Forest scientifically in more for anyone interested reading to these ecologically sound approaches updated and PIDEMIC Files AWA E UPPRESSION S EETLE IRE B F OF INE

P ECADES D OUNTAIN Eradication operations are According to a government Although the beetle population The funds do not come out of The government is undertaking a The government By Vivian Pharis, AWA Board of Directors Board AWA Pharis, By Vivian M BY occurring throughout Alberta’s Alberta’s occurring throughout protected areas that border B.C.— to destroy infected trees and set been at There have pheromone baits. least 3500 infected trees. densely forested areas of the northern Sheep and Muddywater river basins. Crews are being sent in by helicopter news release (July 13, 2005) the infested trees are widely scattered over the air, cut and burned, in the hope of cut and burned, the air, outs when the stemming further fly larvae change into adults and move on. was invaded here and there last year by flying adults. It is these infected trees that are being hunted out from Alberta’s commercial forests. commercial Alberta’s in B.C. is considered to have peaked Alberta and is now in serious decline, native mountain pine beetle blowing infestation into border areas from large sites in B.C., and its potential threat to the lucrative Forest Protection budget the lucrative Forest Protection budget of Sustainable Resource Development. The reason for spending is the tiny, Community Development’s meager Community Development’s but out of budget for parks, however, and overgrown, and its trail signs have and overgrown, disappeared. But this year a part of the west of the Smoky River is Willmore getting attention and funds. government spending. Its access roads government spending. Its access roads a enough to drown have potholes large horse, its trails are dangerously eroded pine beetle. Willmore Wilderness Wilderness Willmore pine beetle. Park north of Jasper is a corner of the province that is normally neglected in program of cutting, burning and baiting program of cutting, Wilderness Willmore in northwest Area to stem the spread of mountain - 97th Ave, Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6. T5K AB Edmonton, Ave, - 97th and The Hon. David Coutts, Minister Coutts, Minister The Hon. David and Resource Development of Sustainable 10800 Legislature Building, Room 420, oil and gas facilities from wildfires, wildfires, from gas facilities oil and to Ralph thoughts send your please Room 307 Alberta, of Klein Premier ? IT

AT

ONEY M “We are not opposed to “We There is no doubt that the The paper goes on to question the The paper goes on domestic supplies of water, and would domestic supplies of water, certainly support economic measures to alleviate some of the problems which people in the area. affect improvement of municipal and domestic water supplies,” says Heinz “But there are Director. AWA Unger, ways efficient cheaper and more better, to achieve this.” the question currently facing elected officials and water managers is whether to take the engineering approach of moving water to people or to encourage the public and industry to migrate to areas where adequate supplies of water are available.” communities in the area have been struggling for a number of years, particularly after several years of does not oppose AWA drought. measures to improve municipal and Alberta’s population resides in the Alberta’s that has the least part of the province amount of water.” projects wisdom of major engineering the “With to deal with this problem. for water shortages, imminent potential HROWING T BY

LBERTA A Red Deer River Increasingly, people are beginning Increasingly, This is the first ever proposed OUTHERN S paper from the Alberta Institute of Alberta Institute paper from the Water, Agrologists (AIA), “People to to People,” highlights the Water problem that “the vast majority of making it to the river, there are still making it to the river, serious implications for groundwater. Groundwater makes up the huge an estimated majority of water flow, 97%, and yet we know incredibly little about these sub-surface flows. to People Water Water, People to to question the wisdom of expensive, to engineering programs large-scale in solve problems of low water flow recent discussion A a dry climate. individual watersheds.” transfer of “raw” water between basins. Although the diversion to the North Saskatchewan Basin would result in a dead-end, with no surface water legislation would be required to allow legislation would be which raises the project to go ahead, Act Water the the question of why place. in the first banned such transfers for Life strategy Water Alberta’s Even water resources confirms, “Alberta’s the capacity of must be managed within IN

ROUGHT D OLVE S E W AN The proposed project isn’t even The proposed project isn’t Economically, the plan makes Economically, The project, southeast of Stettler, The project, southeast of Stettler, The proposed Special Areas Special The proposed By Nigel Douglas, AWA Conservation Specialist Conservation AWA Douglas, By Nigel C

Deer River Basin and transfer it to the North Saskatchewan Basin. New legal under current legislation: the Act does not allow for Water 1999 transfers,” and this project “inter-basin would remove water from the Red Inter-Basin Transfer Inter-Basin invested over 50 years: at a cost of $67 Albertan, that isn’t for every single much of a return on our money. little sense. For that $200 million of the project are price tag, the benefits estimated to be 70 cents on every dollar watering and some municipal and domestic use. would remove up to 7.08 cubic metres would remove up to 7.08 cubic metres of raw water per second from the river principally for irrigation purposes, as well as wetland creation, stock- droughts” in the area. droughts” in the area. plans to divert water from the Red Deer plans to divert water $200 million River at a cost of almost modestly Alberta tax-payer, to the to recurring claims to be a “solution Water Supply Project (SAWSP), which Supply Project (SAWSP), Water

C. Olson C.

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WILDERNESS WATCH WLA August 2005 • Vol.13, No.4 27 N. Douglas N. EARS Y EN T can be found by calling the government toll- by calling the government can be found number 310-0000) free Building, #423 Legislature Environment, Edmonton T5K 2B6 Avenue, 10800 - 97 So we build a town, called “High “High called town, a build we So Send your comments to: comments Send your They information, see “Why are For more Standard (deadline Sept. 15, 2005) 2005) 15, Sept. (deadline Standard http://www3.gov.ab.ca/srd/forests/ managing/planning_rules.html http:// 2005) 30, Sept. (deadline www3.gov.ab.ca/srd/fw/index.html IN • Your MLA (contact information for all MLA’s for all MLA’s information (contact MLA • Your Minister of Boutilier, • The Hon. Guy ” ” Public input invited: input Public Planning Management Forest (1) Plan Recovery Caribou Provincial (2) permanently protect the community. community. the protect permanently the of part divert to channel a for Plans were town the around River Highwood 1995 in government the by shelved Current cost. prohibitive the of because million. $40 to up be would costs Then River. Highwood the to next River,” divert to million $40 spend to propose we flooding. of risk the of because river the picture? this with wrong is What Giving Away Our Water,” WLA October 2004 and WLA Our Water,” Away Giving of River Diversions,” “Reckoning Hidden Costs February 2005. WLA Sheep River – after the rain

ENTURY C THE

OF

LOOD “F Later that week the Canadian The strategy then notes, “During The strategy then notes, that shows project SAWSP the But economic benefits, but that might be economic benefits, by all the expenses incurred by offset Thompson believes this kind of event.” the province should review its logging policies in the light of more extreme weather events. Press (June 28/05) reported that the Les Rempel, Mayor of High River, was asking the province to approve a multimillion-dollar project to climate is clearly becoming warmer warmer becoming clearly is climate water-expensive old where and drier, and it appropriate, longer no are practices developing at look we that crucial is opposed as land, the of uses alternative using operations outdated up propping to fixes. technological expensive hugely is committed to the wise management to the wise management is committed quality water quantity and Alberta’s of now and Albertans of for the benefit in the future.” on the all stages of the consultation stated again Albertans water strategy, conservation… and again that water of any is a fundamental component provincial water strategy.” a not is Drought hard. die ways old the Alberta’s “solved.” be can that problem for Life strategy seemed to signal the to signal seemed strategy for Life of thinking new way of a beginning in the deal with water on how we Alberta of “The Government province: ECOND S S ’

LBERTA Red Deer A ON

Sheep River – before the rain Sheep River – before , June 23/05). Commenting HOUGHTS Dixon Thompson, professor Dixon The government’s 2003 Water Water 2003 The government’s Loss of sensitive natural Loss of sensitive natural AWA is calling for a full is calling AWA By Nigel Douglas T

pointed out, “Yes, there are jobs and pointed out, “Yes, rivers in Central Alberta ( rivers in Central Advocate on the clearcut practices so prevalent in Thompson forestry industry, Alberta’s that clearcut logging on the Eastern Slopes could have contributed to that flooded the deluge-like runoff of Environmental Science at the is suggesting University of Calgary,

Water for Life for Water one more added stress to this fragile habitat. and under-appreciated ploughed under is increased. Less than ploughed under is Natural Grassland Alberta’s 1% of Region is protected, and this will be according to the project review, but the review, according to the project of the remaining likelihood of some prairie being fragments of native review of existing literature from review of existing the 1980’s…” minimized, grasslands would be original environmental overview of overview original environmental since much of the 1992 is out of date was based on biophysical information environmental assessment of the assessment of environmental review itself points The project project. “The of knowledge gaps: to a number Environmental Concerns Environmental N. Douglas N.

While they may be less pleasing to not only a connection “It’s “There are a lot of subtle plant Birds play a key role in some “I enjoy painting larger mammals “I enjoy painting larger Fish are the only non-North “I would certainly like to do that, As well as the local fauna, the RAWINGS © Karl Geist by 3’) format. the eye, choosing to present them this way serves a purpose beyond merely re-creating nature with that animal, but a response in association with how we see it and our association with the environment,” says Geist. Calgary artist, who also does botanical illustrations. surrounded by We’re forms here. wonder everywhere we turn.” birds The of his most recent work. featured are dead birds, painted in (at least 3’ monochrome, in fairly large subjects are his first love, Geist does his first subjects are subjects in his art. like to feature other I particularly like doing like deer. birds, as well.” featured in he’s American creatures like many his work, though, although would not mind wildlife artists, he of more exotic adding some images given the animals to his repertoire, opportunity. travel abroad, but I’m so fascinated by what we have here so close to us,” he says. holds a fascination for the native flora , D , AINTINGS P IN

XPERIENCES Although those water-dwelling Although those water-dwelling Just as fish and fishing played a His piscine images appear in While he concentrates mainly Geist draws from a combination “I had a very influential high high “I had a very influential then at the ACAD in Calgary, At E he has drawn more exotic species like bonefish, sailfish, tarpons and other fish found in warmer waters. and images from reference materials. prominent role in his enjoyment of the outdoors, fish also appear prominently in his artwork. National Park Fishing the Banff Regulations Summary for 2005-06. He Alberta has also produced work for the Trout Association and Conservation Unlimited Canada. America, on species native to North own experiences with the subject, supplementing that with photographs that creativity in a variety of media, that creativity in a primarily in water colour painting, but also in acrylic, pen and pencil and ink drawings. of sources when creating a picture: he works from memories of his there. By the time he reached his the time he reached there. By his passion for mid-teens, he realized could form recording his experiences the basis for a career. who saw the school art instructor a profession possibility of me making expression.” out of my creative Geist honed Victoria, University of to express his raw talent and learned UTDOOR O Karl Geist ECAPTURES R RTIST “Trying to capture that visually— to “Trying interest in art, trying to put Geist’s “Some of my first experiences Geist’s early attempts at painting Geist’s “My father passed on his love of of love his on passed father “My Karl Geist drew his first breath drew his first breath Karl Geist admits he Even the artist himself By John Geary By John A of my first expressions of what I had seen, my first attempts at trying to immortalize it on paper.” down on paper a representation of what he’d seen in the outdoors, was always on Vancouver Island, close to where my where to close Island, Vancouver on grandfather and uncle had property,” he says. “The stream had both coastal cutthroats and juvenile salmon. after the experience—formed the basis and drawing were the result of his trying to re-create his youthful angling experiences during time spent near B.C. Victoria, fishing were at a small coastal stream Alberta College of Art and Design. “I “I Design. and Art of College Alberta fishing.” enjoyed particularly hurt that his wildlife biologist father, biologist father, hurt that his wildlife Geist, was himself an avid Valerius Dr. outdoorsman and wilderness lover. me,” to activities outdoor and wilderness the at teaches currently who Geist, says forgiven for believing his fascination for forgiven been preordained. with fish must have with the creatures felt an early kinship door of the Cascade that swam past the first cabin where he spent the Valley course, it didn’t year of his life. Of within an easy fly fisherman’s cast fisherman’s within an easy fly so you could be of the Bow River,

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© Karl Geist David McIntyre AB Crowsnest Pass, Andy’s kind and generous offer offer kind and generous Andy’s and his presence, combined to end to a magical day, deliver a fitting one that I’d spent amid the golden larches and other treasures of the high country that spans the storied and spectacular expanses of northern Lakes Waterton Glacier and southern indelible Andy’s national parks. style and warm interaction provided treasured bookends for the memorable experience. represented a down-to-earth, wonderful represented a down-to-earth, wonderful gesture of care and goodwill. It The ride, Andy Russell. was vintage

CKNOWLEDGEMENT A IFT G USSELL AWA would like to express our sincere appreciation to the friends and family would like to express our sincere appreciation to the friends AWA In response to our letter to Premier Klein requesting that the Castle Wildland Andy Russell Mar writes, “ Designating the Castle area as Mr. The day, stellar in all respects, The day, “Once you’ve had a good “Once you’ve Helping people make that Helping people R with my colleague, the Honourable David Coutts, Minister of Sustainable Resource Development.” of Andy Russell who made a lasting tribute to the memory of this outstanding Andy Russell who made a lasting tribute to the memory of wild spaces. Alberta’s protection of gifts will help our quest for the Your man. Klein has Andy Russell, Mr. legacy to be protected and named as a fitting has left, and forwarded our request to the Minister Andy acknowledged the legacy of Community Development, the Honourable Gary Mar. Albertan who dedicated great tribute to a truly Provincial park would be a fitting wild places. I will discuss your proposal further Alberta’s his life to protecting I was there trying to catch a ride back to my vehicle, still parked at The sun was setting, Cameron Lake. me as he driving past, saw Andy, and was leaving the park. He braked from his intended route, turned from it and quietly insisted upon delivering the requisite ride. affords views down onto Hawk’s Nest, views down onto Hawk’s affords home. celebrated Andy Russell’s delivered a connecting vision with upon and caused me to reflect Andy, the first time we met. On that day, many hours after we had shared a chance encounter on the shores of Cameron Lake, he spotted me at the Akamina Parkway. townsite-end of the connection helps Geist do his bit for helps Geist do his connection conservation. and it’s experience in the outdoors of your soul, you touched some part [the wilderness] and want to maintain it save it for others.” shades of blacks and grays, rather than rather and grays, of blacks shades a different the viewer colour—gives of it.” perception EMORIAL NDY M A TO

RIBUTE T ERSONAL The hike, originating near Dear Editor: Dear Andy My memorial service for “Taking that (dead) bird and “Taking “We lose many, many songbirds many songbirds many, lose “We A P A arm of this same horseshoe-shaped The last leg of this route landmark. of the park, carves east along the northernmost summits of Lakeview Ridge and drops south along the eastern the buffalo paddock, traverses the the buffalo landscape to the northern boundary mountains of northern Waterton Lakes Waterton mountains of northern National Park had called, and I was soon there, hiking a circuit route that has become a spring ritual. than the public gathering, an event that than the public gathering, an event that I had missed due to a Montana raft Alberta, the When I returned to trip. Russell took place a few days later

putting it up on a wall—particularly in putting it up on a wall—particularly association with the fact that the with the fact that association obviously environment we create other species. creates problems for Sometimes we just walk past those we just walk past Sometimes the remains by small, desiccated any not really have window and because we live in these glass towers glass towers in these we live because into. walls that birds fly that create

(2006)

ANDIDATE

I’ve been in Alberta for two years I’ve been in My interests include reading the Geography, with its inter- Geography, future Albertans (native or transplanted future like myself) will also be able to experience in it the same joy that I have found. I plan on starting graduate and look forward studies in January, to many more simultaneous years contributing to the fight AWA, with incredible to conserve this province’s I hope to see you somewhere beauty. along that road! tried to enjoy it to the fullest, whether that meant cycling across Canada or Peninsula. Arabian rock climbing in the and have to say that I love my now, new home. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to help protect it so that the Law Department at the City of Calgary. Globe & Mail, hiking, eating breakfast, and loving the Earth. I also write opinion pieces for the Calgary Herald AWA on occasion. I’d like to thank as well for taking me on this summer, and the Law University as Queen’s Foundation of Ontario who funded my internship. but over the course of the degree, my course of the degree, but over the encompassed course selection also of gaining a broader understanding ecological subjects. environmental and was an excellent disciplinary approach, this, and I hope way to accomplish people and their this perspective on landscape will prove relationship to the which I can use to be a valuable tool, conservation to help achieve the AWA. goals of , B.A., LL.B. C ETTY AMSON ICHOLS P S N AVID EAN ORDAN : D : S : J Unusually, perhaps, for someone Unusually, I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in I hold a Bachelor of As the path of conservation is As the path of conservation from Vancouver, BC, although I have Vancouver, from lived all over the world, and have always had an interest in wilderness wherever I have discovered it… always suits me quite fine—one day I may be suits me quite fine—one Advocate; proofreading articles for the the next day arranging auction items Gala; West Wild for our upcoming participating in our and the day after, trail monitoring project in the Bighorn is certain, it is If one thing Wildland. that the work here is never boring! my background is actually AWA, at in math and computer science, and I am just completing a B.Sc. at the I am originally University of Calgary. September I will be entering my third September I will be entering my third and final year of law school at Queen’s That University in Kingston, Ontario. I means that I like legislation. Really, will be returning to After school, I do. Alberta to commence my articles with guiding principles for the effective guiding principles for the effective management of public land. English from the University of Calgary. That means that I like poems. In on mapping methods and analysis, on mapping methods wild lands which they value greatly which they value wild lands such has also rarely a straight one, my own path to this been the case with After many years in the financial point. to aim I decided services industry, direction. the compass in a different four years as a I have spent the last obtained a B.Sc. full-time student and Calgary majoring in from University of focus was The physical geography. PROFILE PROFILE PROFILE

TAFF TAFF TAFF S S S It’s hard to pin down exactly It’s You have probably seen me You I joined the dedicated staff at I joined the dedicated staff I am a recent addition to AWA’s AWA’s to I am a recent addition everything that falls under the heading Nevertheless, the situation of “Other.” around all this time. my favourite thing AWA; what I do at to say is that I’m responsible for on the phone. I came to AWA in 2004 AWA on the phone. I came to on a summer work placement, and I guess they liked me enough to keep me foot in AWA’s provincial office in provincial office AWA’s foot in and you’ve certainly heard Calgary, my voice if you’ve ever called us up hanging around if you have ever set project. The project is a review of project. with the public land law and policy, goal of identifying a number of key May as a summer intern. When not May as a summer intern. discussing politics with Shirley Bray, Public Lands AWA’s I’m working on AWA’s creaky old Hillhurst office in creaky old Hillhurst office AWA’s conservation issues, and protecting the conservation issues, opportunity to work full-time towards opportunity to work Albertans educating and informing provincial and Canadians about conservation staff. Although I have Although conservation staff. on a AWA with had some involvement excited about this volunteer basis, I am

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April 2005, page WLA ORRECTION 13, Castle map: The caption 13, Castle map: for the black triangle symbol should read: Provincial The Areas. Recreation correct version of the map can be seen on our website under Issues/Castle. C

Left to right: Taren Pidherney, Kyla and and Kyla Pidherney, Taren right: to Left UND

of several companies that log in this area. area. this in log that companies several of Stu Salkeld Stu Depot Bottle Rocky the at Hollen von Michael F RUST

Friday, September 16, 2005 Friday, www.AlbertaWilderness.com For tickets call 283-2025 or visit The AWA TheWild AWA West Gala AWA T AWA of Alberta Wilderness Association. Wilderness Alberta of WARDS

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Please join us for a Wild West time in support West Wild Please join us for a UPPORT AND

S RUST Thanks to Stu Salkeld, The Thanks to Stu Salkeld, T ILDERNESS Reservations: (403) 283-2025, or 1-866-313-0713, [email protected] online at www.AlbertaWilderness.ca Reception: 6:00pm 7:00pm Awards: Lecture and Cost: $25.00 Mountaineer Publishing Co. Ltd. Mountaineer Publishing students also contributed to the Red contributed to students also Fund. Grade Relief Tsunami Cross Hollen said 5 student Kyla von happy she participated in the she’s it helps the Recycling Club, “because also stated the environment.” She saved enough energy students efforts for 418 days and to power a television of crude oil. saved about two barrels ECTURE W TUDENTS L ILDLIFE S

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- S OUSE IKES H H OCHEARN L Dr. Jim Butler Dr. AY PEN ROGRAM The Lochearn Recycling Club has Recycling Club The Lochearn Peter Sherrington Vivian Pharis Vivian James Tweedie James D O P with Friday, November 18, 2005 Friday, Things Wild The Enigma of with with Saturday January 14, 2006 Hike Winter Mount Lorette Saturday September 24, 2005 Lakes Picklejar Saturday, August 20, 2005 Saturday, Area Beehive Natural with All day hikes: $20:00 Pre-registration required for all hikes cans, bottles, and juice boxes from cans, bottles, and juice The at the school. students and staff efficiency, reduce waste, and promote reduce waste, and promote efficiency, The protection of the environment. 22,000 beverage club collected almost Wildlife Trust. The club, operating The club, operating Trust. Wildlife by was organized since last September, students of Lochearn School and staff House to promote in Rocky Mountain donated $100 to AWA’s endowment endowment AWA’s donated $100 to and Wilderness Alberta Fund, the

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WILL EAVE elebrate Alberta’s 100th birthday and AWA’s 40th anniversary with a gift to Alberta’s wild lands, wild Alberta’s with a gift to 40th anniversary AWA’s birthday and 100th Alberta’s elebrate L [email protected] research that contribute to the protection, understanding and appreciation of wilderness and wildlife. and appreciation of wilderness and wildlife. to the protection, understanding research that contribute many lives! legacy will touch Your without determined, passionate efforts. You can help! You passionate efforts. without determined, us. leave for future generations is up to and the quality of life we The health of our environment a difference! Each of us can make and fund supports wilderness programs endowment Wildlife and Wilderness Alberta gift to the A C one that cannot be sustained have a remarkable wilderness heritage, We wild waters and wildlife. Box 6398, Station D WOULD NFORMATION I Calgary, Alberta T2P 2E1 T2P Alberta Calgary, : Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No. 485535 • ISSN# 40065626 Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales ! I I ! : # : Alberta Wilderness Association Wilderness Alberta ES DDRESS AME ARD ITY AYMENT Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Return Undeliverable Canadian Y C P A C N

VENTS WLA August 2005 • Vol.13, No.4

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