The Proposed Moose Mountain Wildland Park

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The Proposed Moose Mountain Wildland Park

• June 15th, 2006 Bragg Creek

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Vision

• The creation of a new wildland provincial park in
  East Kananaskis Country, that protects an
  exceptional environment for all Albertans, by
  encouraging non-motorized outdoor recreation and
  excellent watershed management.

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Why do we need a park?

• Watershed protection to prevent further
  deterioration of water quality in the Elbow
  River, the source of drinking water for 450,000
  Albertans
• Increasing recreational demand due to growing
  population of Calgary and area
• Ongoing industrialization of the area including
  oil and gas development and clear cut logging

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What is a wildland park?

• A wildland provincial park is designed to
  preserve and protect natural heritage and provide
  opportunities for backcountry recreation.
• They tend to be large, undeveloped natural
  landscapes that retain their primeval character.
• They may provide trails and backcountry campsites
  to minimize visitor impacts on natural heritage
  values.
• They may provide significant opportunities for
  eco-tourism and adventure activities such as
  backpacking, backcountry camping, wildlife
  viewing, mountain climbing and trail riding.
• They may provide designated trails for
  off-highway vehicle riding and snowmobiling.

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Proposed Park Objectives

• To protect and enhance the Elbow River
  watershed, that is the drinking water supply for
  1 in 7 Albertans.
• To protect non-motorized outdoor
  recreationists and related trails and
  infrastructure from the potential negative
  impacts of industry.
• To protect all types of indigenous wildlife
  and their habitat from the potential negative
  impacts of industry and provide a protected
  connection to the Y2Y corridor.

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Proposed Boundaries Excluded Zones

• North North Boundary of Kananaskis Country just
  north of Highway No. 68 (Sibbald Road)
• West East boundary of the Elbow Sheep and Don
  Getty Wildland Parks
• South Highway No. 546 the North Boundary of
  the Bluerock Wildland Park
• East East boundary of Kananaskis Country
• Note Excluding the McLean Creek Off-Highway
  Forest Land Use Zone

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What about existing industrialization?

• That involves detailed decisions with numerous
  options
• Existing developments could be grandfathered
• New development disturbances could be prohibited
• Public consultation is needed before such
  detailed decisions are made

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What can you do to help?

• Write to the Premier MLAs to ask that a park
  be created to protect the area
• Ask for public consultation to make decisions on
  the details of the park
• Make this a political priority and election issue
• Tell your friends