Designated trails likely for Jackpines

Mac Olsen
South Peace News

The provincial government is concerned about all-terrain vehicle use in the Jackpine Natural Area of the Winagami Lake Wildland Park, such that designated trails are being considered, although this would require public consultation. “Designated trails are usually designated through a management plan process,” says Jack Doll. “That management plan process has the public consultation.” Those who would be consulted include ATV users and the MD of Big Lakes. A mass mail out directed at ATV users could also be conducted. Doll, the District Conservation Officer for Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture in Slave Lake, says there are sensitive eco-systems in the Jackpine Natural Area. He also says conservation officers patrol the Winagami Lake Wildland Park, and they will lay charges for things like blatant destruction of habitat. He emphasizes that ATV users should respect the land and stick to the trails that have yet to be designated, or trails that are well used, and not make new ones. In addition, they must ensure that they are registered and insured because Winagami Lake Wildland Park is on Crown land. Finally, the Traffic Safety Act. the Gaming and Liquor Act and the Provincial Parks Act apply to ATV users. The Public Works Committee for the M.D. of Big Lakes debated the issue during their meeting in High Prairie on Sept. 24. CAO Gilles Lussier says Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture has no problem with the M.D. of Big Lakes being a full participant in the management plan. He adds that Parks will strike a balance between conservation and ATV access. “They recognize that there’s a number of responsible users, and that they shouldn’t be blocked totally in the park. So, in recognition of those responsible users, they’ll attempt to have designated trails and very sensitive natural areas that would not be accessible by motorized traffic as kind of a trade-off,” says Lussier. Randy Ehman, the councillor for Gilwood South/Sunset House, says the council should hold a meeting with ATV users and give them an opportunity to speak about any proposed regulations for the Jackpine Natural Area. He wants to make sure that they’re heard, and that Parks understands that there is room for quad trails and to preserve some of it. “There’s got to be a balance. If we throw it all out on the table, we can discuss it and see if we can come to some reasonable comprise that’s going to meet the needs of everybody. Not everybody is going to be happy when they walk away from the table, but at least we will have discussed it, and put forth some ideas and see what we can do with it.” The Public Works Committee passed a motion to have the M.D. of Big Lakes forward a letter to Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture, offering the council chambers to host any required meetings to create a management plan for the Winagami Lake Wildland Park. The motion also requests that M.D. have the opportunity to participate in these meetings, that the public will have input on such a plan, and that M.D. have the opportunity to review the final draft of the management plan before it is passed. This motion is subject to correction, as it not adopted until a future meeting of the public works committee.

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