ALBERTA LAND...PLEASE READ!!!!

[MotorEd]

The Alberta Government is doing a survey on our land use issues. There is a survey that we should all fill out. The survey is big....15pages and there are lots of places for comments. Each and everyone of us should take the time to read the information in the links, fill out the survey and put in as many comments as you can. I really dont like the wording of some questions and I let them know what I thought. Right now I am about 40% through the survey. You can stop, save and restart which is pretty cool.



There is an open forum session to voice your opinions as well.....

Calgary and Area
May 30 and 31, 2 – 9 p.m., Trade Centre - Radisson Hotel Calgary Airport,
2120 -16 Avenue NE

I know this is the last thing everyone wants to be doing right now as riding season is well underway, but hey...Its time to speak up!

Here are the links:
http://srd.alberta.ca/whatsnew/luf.aspx
http://www.landuse.gov.ab.ca/

and the survey link is here
http://surveys.praxis.ca/luf_workbook/i ... ?mode=test

[BradC]

Brad;

Thanks for the link. I've filled out the survey in as much detail as I could.

Brad C.

[MotorEd]

Brad;

Thanks for the link. I've filled out the survey in as much detail as I could.

Brad C.

[Waxy]

Brad;

Thanks for the link. I've filled out the survey in as much detail as I could.

Brad C.

Same here, and I sent it out to everyone I could think of.

Thanks for the link.

Waxy

[Spinalguy]

Done!

[DXL77]

Completed

[cedric]

Done

[BigR]

Done

[MtnBlue]

Done

[WR_Dave]

Now have carpal tunnel syndrome from typing comments.

[MotorEd]

Now have carpal tunnel syndrome from typing comments.

I hear that helps arm pump

[hfoley]

I know it's probably on-par with eating glass, but the more times this surevy gets filled out the better. PRAXIS (a consulting company I'm familiar with) will run statistical summaries on the results and provide in a format that will actually provide direction to ASRD. Given how PRAXIS has set it up, I would highly encourage our fellow members to complete the survey as many times as their stomach can take it. I can guarrantee that AWA, WC2, Sierra Club and other protectionaist groups will be emplying full-time people to skew the results in their favour.

[WR_Dave]

What good is a survey if you can do it more than once, anyone with the time to have some staff working on them non stop can affect the out come as was mentioned about the tree hugger groups. Seems like the govt's way of getting a result that they want to get , and not what may be the real attitudes of Alberta's public. Disgusting----WR Dave

[Dragon997]

Filled out the questionaire today. As I was answering the questions I was thinking to myself.
The Government can interpret the answer to suit thier needs.

But at least they are asking,right?

Just like they had Public forums and consultation before implementing GAMP.
And look how great that turned out!

Johnathan

[Hendrix13]

Well, I hope you all where able to attend the open LUF open house in
your city. I went last night and although there seemed to be a lot of
interest I think the biggest problem is that Recreational OHV users
don't have a voice at the table when these deciscions are being made.
It seems everyone has a reason why these trails should be shut down
but no one I talked to had a good reason. I talked with a guy from
the SRD (Sustainalble Resource Development) for over an hour and
although he was very informative he couldn't give me a very good
answer about why these trails are being closed. His concern seemed to
be mostly around watershed areas and wildlife. But it seemed he was
taking his direction mainly from the "Big G". That's what he kept
calling the Provincial Government.

I think at this point, the best way to be heard is to fill out that
workbook (online) and get as many people as possible to submit it.

Some of the questions I asked:

Q: Why shut down existing trails that have been there for years.
Especially those already created by Forestry, Seismic, Oil etc.
A: These roads where supposed to be reclaimed when these companies
left but people keep using them then they never get a chance to grow
back to there original state.

Q: Whats the harm in leaving the trails and roads open.
A: Watershed and wildlife issues.

Q: Why wasn't this an issue when these companies went in to clear cut
an area but it's an issue if I want to use it for recreation uses?
A: Good point..put that in your workbook

----

Q: My question is how is the Alberta Government and the SRD going to
guarantee that me and my kids will be able to riding on Public land in
the future.
A: The solution to all this is a provincial trail system for all of
Alberta. Being created and defined by environmental studies to
minimize impact of OHV use.

Q: Why would this work?
A: Look at GAMP (Ghost Area Management Plan by Calgary). Now there is a trail
system in place that's not impacting the environment.
My repsonse: GAMP was a terrible example of how to work with the
public to preserve public land. Decisions where made about OHV trails
without consulting any OHV users. They basically shut down the whole
area and considered that a success. That definitely didn't preserve
my access to the land for the future cause I won't even go there this
weekend. This was a worst case scenario and the fear is that this is
going to continue and get worse.
SRD: Good comment, put that in your booklet.

So basically, I feel we need someone to speak on our behalf that is
going to be heard by the government. If you didn't go to the open
house in your city then start spreading the word about this LUF
booklet (Deadline for submission in June 15) and start bugging your
MLA...

Bye for now