CPAWS Recommendations for improving the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan

I attended a CPAWS workshop on the plan yesterday. Here is a summary of their recommendations for fixing the plan.

Headwaters

• Areas impacted by clear-cut logging and road building must be restored ASAP.
• Define a new model for forest management to achieve natural, healthy water systems and wildlife habitat.
• Protected area should be defined not just for the mountain tops but continue down through the valleys below.

New Protected Areas

• The entire Castle Special Place should be declared a Wildland Provincial Park.
• Protected areas should conserve ecologically important habitat from top to bottom.
• More protected area should be put in place as recommended in the original draft.

Wildlife Habitat

• The plan needs a new land use designation which identifies and protects habitat for wildlife along corridors between protected areas.
• Immediate development and implementation of a linear management plan.

Recreation & Tourism

• Develop eco-tourism in the region.
• Reclaim damaged OHV terrain and keep riders on specific trails.
• Restrict random camping outside designated areas.
• Provide sufficient resources to for enforcement.

You can help by:

• Writing to your MLA and Premier Redford.
• Attending one of the public consultation sessions.
• Through your comments, tweets etc. on Social Media