The Honourable Alison Redford Premier of Alberta 307 Legislature Bldg 10800 - 97 Avenue Edmonton, AB

The Honourable Alison Redford Premier of Alberta 307 Legislature Bldg 10800 - 97 Avenue Edmonton, AB December 4, 2012 Dear Premier Redford, Re: LACK OF GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA ENFORCEMENT PRESENCE IN THE BIGHORN BACKCOUNTRY As stakeholder members of the Bighorn Backcountry Standing Committee, we wish to bring to your attention the issue of diminishing backcountry enforcement capabilities, in the Bighorn Backcountry and, for that matter, the entire province. The Standing Committee has been mandated by the Terms of Reference to “provide advice and assist Alberta Sustainable Resource Development in implementing, monitoring, and developing operational plans to manage access in the Bighorn Backcountry, as per the Bighorn Backcountry Access Management Plan document.” We as volunteers have assisted the province in managing the Bighorn by dedicating over ten years of our time and resources to ensure the success of the Bighorn Backcountry Management Plan for the benefit of all Albertans. Our committee was awarded an Emerald Award for our work in 2011. Our thousands of hours of volunteer activities, hundreds of thousands of dollars of donated equipment and materials, the infrastructure that is protecting the land and water, along the responsible use of the Bighorn, are all being undermined by the lack of support from the Government of Alberta to ensure that a basic enforcement capacity is maintained. Trail development and management involve four fundamental elements: Education, Engineering, Enforcement and Evaluation. Enforcement is primarily the responsibility of the Province, whereas the other three elements, volunteer organizations partner with government, industry and public in the execution. Madam Premier, we have held up our end of the deal. We expect you as the Government of Alberta to hold up your end of the deal. We find this as an unacceptable situation. We look forward to your response outlining your commitment and plan to ensure the Bighorn Backcountry receives proper enforcement to ensure management goals are met. We would also like the opportunity to meet with you and your Ministers to introduce you to the important landscapes of the Bighorn Backcountry and to ensure adequate resources for the management and protection of these lands for all Albertans. Please direct communications to the Standing Committee via Mr. Don Livingston, ESRD Committee Chair of the Bighorn Backcountry at [email protected]. Yours sincerely, Cal Rakach Summer Motorized Use Representative Jeff Wilson Ecotourism Representative Simon Dyer Alberta Hiking Association Summer Non-Motorized Use Representative Lorne Hindbo Guides and Outfitters Representative Robin McDonald Fishing and Hunting Representative Gordon Sanders Sundre Trappers Association and Rocky Mountain House Trappers Association Trapping Representative James Brady Winter Motorized Representative Don Rilling Fixed Commercial Representative Cc Hon. Jonathan Denis, Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security Hon. Diana McQueen, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Hon. Christine Cusanelli, Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation .

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