AWA Welcomes Increased Enforcement on Public Lands

May 17, 2017

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• News Release
• Protected Areas
• Public Lands
• Wildlands

The Alberta government has announced a welcome increase in enforcement presence this summer in order to better protect our public lands from violations including mud-bogging, littering and leaving campfires unattended. Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) and many Albertans have advocated for increased enforcement of regulations throughout Alberta’s public lands and welcomes the positive step forward.

“Lawlessness and abusive behaviour on our public lands is not acceptable. A regular enforcement presence accompanied by heavy fines for those abusing public lands will help to ensure our public lands can be enjoyed by everyone,” says Joanna Skrajny, AWA Conservation Specialist. “In recent years an increasingly abusive attitude has threatened the safety of families wanting to camp and spend time in our wild spaces and has put the survival of wildlife that depends on healthy ecosystems at severe risk.”

The reinstatement of violation tickets last summer has also provided an increase in enforcement capacity. AWA believes the Government of Alberta needs to take the next step by increasing fines for serious offenses and providing the ability for officers to issue on-the-spot fines for abuses on all public lands. This will allow enforcement officials to spend more time on our public lands instead of in court.

The public will be able to engage and monitor the success of this investment in enforcement dollars through routine postings which will be available biweekly on the government’s website.

For more information contact:
Joanna Skrajny, Alberta Wilderness Association, 403-283-2025