News & Events

22/06/10

One Size Does Not Fit All
ATV size important for youth Safety. Would you give your son or daughter a powerful, full-size motorcycle to ride?
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13/05/10

NEW AOHVA WEBSITE!
AOHVA website launch. Our goal was to launch a site with a fresh look that is simple yet easy to use. We would love to hear your feedback.
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23/04/10

Live to Ride Another Day - Press Release
Stay safe riding ATV's. They’re exciting and a wonderful way to enjoy the Alberta landscape.
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Current Bulletins

The Ministry of Sustainable Resource Development   Public Lands Act

Alberta Land Stewardship Act (ALSA)

www.srd.alberta.ca/Newsroom/SRDSurveys/Default.aspx

The Ministry of Sustainable Resource Development has begun consultation on the Public Lands Act regulation model that will build on the concepts outlined in the Alberta Land Stewardship Act (ALSA) which was proclaimed October 2009.

As one of our key stakeholder groups, we would like to offer you this opportunity to review the attached Consultation Discussion Paper and sample Public Lands Act regulation (read below) and provide us with any substantive comments or feedback you may have based on your organization’s perspective. The regulation is being updated to better manage public land and consists of three themes:

• Land management;
• Compliance and enforcement; and
• Appeals and dispute resolution.

Please provide any comments/feedback you may have on the draft regulation to Chris Hutchinson at chris@rfconsulting.ca or by phone at (403) 966-7259 or contact us at Legislative Services by email at SRD.PLAR@gov.ab.ca If requested, the department can arrange a meeting to discuss the proposed changes. Please note all responses must be received prior to 4:30 pm on September 17, 2010.

Thank you for you time and we look forward to your comments.

Public Lands Act Administration Regulation Sample June 14 2010(printable PDF)

Consultation Discussion Paper(printable PDF)

Responsible behaviour encouraged on roadways and public land this May long weekend

Enforcement officials will be out in force

Edmonton... Albertans planning to head outdoors for the Victoria Day long weekend are encouraged to be safe and responsible. To help make the weekend more enjoyable for everyone enforcement on roadways and on public land is being stepped up.

Once again, the Government of Alberta departments of Sustainable Resource Development; Transportation; Tourism, Parks and Recreation; and Solicitor General and Public Security will team up with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to help make the weekend safer for everyone.

About 360 officers will patrol various areas of the province to conduct check stops and off-highway vehicle compliance checks as well as to educate the public about respecting the land and others.

Last May long weekend, the task force handed out 2,230 tickets and provided information to almost 18,000 people about responsible behaviour. Thirty-three abandoned campfires were found and extinguished before potentially becoming forest fires.

This year, the multi-agency efforts will expand to more areas of the province, including Lac La Biche and Lesser Slave Lake.

At present, there are dry conditions in Alberta forests. The vast majority of wildfires are human-caused and the risk of fires will grow if the dry conditions continue. However, substantial periods of rain before the long weekend can pose other problems on the landscape, such as off-highway vehicles creating ruts and destroying habitat.

Albertans reminded to engage in safe fire practices

Campers are reminded that campfires should never be left unattended and all fires should be completely extinguished by soaking, stirring the ashes and soaking again. In provincial campgrounds, always use a designated fire pit.

A valid permit is required in Alberta's forest protection areas for any burning (except for campfires) or setting off fireworks. Permits are free and available from local Sustainable Resource Development offices. To find the office nearest you, call 310-0000 or visit www.srd.alberta.ca

Remember, where the wildfire hazard is high, campfires may be restricted. For information on fire bans, including those pertaining to provincial parks, visit www.albertafirebans.ca or call 1-866-FYI FIRE.

Forest Land Use Zones
The Alberta government has established a number of Forest Land Use Zones to create designated trail systems and improve management of the area. To find out more about Forest Land Use Zones or temporary closure notices, visit www.srd.alberta.ca/RecreationPublicUse/Default.aspx

Respect the Land
Everyone is encouraged to consider the effect they have on the environment and on other users. Plan ahead, be prepared, minimize your impact, and manage your food and waste.

Stay on trails, share access with others, choose routes with the hardest and most durable surface and use designated bridges and water crossings. All off-highway vehicles on public land require headlights and tail lights; valid insurance, registration and visible licence plates; and functional spark arresting mufflers. Avoid:

• riding on sensitive terrain, in wet areas or after heavy rain;
• spinning tires and skidding;
• washing vehicles in creeks, rivers or lakes;
• accessing private and leased land without permission; and
• tampering with gates, fences and structures, and damaging the natural environment.

Campers and off-highway vehicle riders are reminded to follow the rules on all public land, including Forest Land Use Zones. Sustainable Resource Development staff will be patrolling public land to educate Albertans and ensure compliance with public land and forest legislation. To learn more, visit the Respect the Land in Alberta Facebook page at www.facebook.com

Enjoy camping

A provincial park or recreation area is within one hour’s drive of every Alberta community.

Albertans can pre-plan their long weekend up to 90 days in advance by reserving a campsite online at one of 50 provincial campgrounds through Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca or by calling 1-877-537-2757. Information on first-come-first-served provincial campgrounds and day-use parks is available at www.AlbertaParks.ca

A temporary liquor ban will be in effect on the May long weekend at ten provincial park and recreation area campgrounds – Aspen Beach, Cypress Hills, Dillberry Lake, Garner Lake, Ghost Reservoir, Jarvis Bay, Miquelon Lake, Pigeon Lake, Wabamun Lake and Whitney Lakes. The temporary liquor ban will be in place from noon on Thursday, May 20 until 6 p.m. on Monday, May 24, 2010.

Highway Safety

Alberta’s integrated traffic units (Sheriffs and RCMP) will be out on Alberta’s roadways enforcing traffic laws. Impaired driving, aggressive and careless driving, and speeding will be targeted this May long weekend in an effort to reduce the number of collisions on Alberta highways. Also, during the entire month of May, the integrated traffic units and their road safety partners are focusing their safety message on young drivers.

Drive Safely

According to Alberta Traffic Collision Statistics, alcohol-related collisions, injuries and fatalities increase on long weekends. This May long weekend remember to drive responsibly and play it safe.

• Don’t drink and drive.
• Buckle up. Seatbelts save lives.
• Use child safety seats as required by law for children under 6 years old who weigh less than 40 pounds. Booster seats are recommended for children until 4’9” / 80 pounds.
• Obey speed limits on all roads, especially those in playground areas, construction zones, and when passing emergency vehicles.
• Use common sense – slow down in bad weather, at night, and when driving on poorly lit roads. Speeding saves little time and increases the probability of death or injury if there is a crash.
• Share the road – look twice for motorcyclists at intersections or when changing lanes.
• Keep your eyes on the road, hands on the wheel – put your focus where it should be. Even a one-second distraction can have dangerous consequences.

Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Safety

While off-highway vehicles can be a lot of fun to operate, they are powerful machines capable of causing serious injury or death if handled improperly. Injuries can be reduced by following these safety practices.

• Wear an approved motorcycle helmet with face and eye protection.
• Drive sober – alcohol, drugs and OHVs don’t mix. It is against the law to operate an OHV while impaired.
• Refuse to carry or be a passenger on an OHV built for one person.
• Take an OHV operator training course – formal hands-on training is needed to understand the specialized skills and complexities of operating an OHV.

For more information on traffic safety in Alberta, visit www.saferoads.com

Campers reminded to be extra careful to avoid bear encounters

To ensure a safe, enjoyable camping experience, follow these BearSmart tips.

• Always store food out of reach of bears, preferably in airtight containers in your vehicle.
• Never store food, including pet food, in or near a tent or tent-trailer where you are sleeping.
• Never cook or eat in or near your tent. Do not bury or burn food scraps.
• Do not litter. Place all garbage in suitable containers or take them home.
• Clean fish at designated cleaning stations or well away from camp. If no station is available, dispose of fish remains in proper garbage containers.
• At night, move about the campsite cautiously. Always use a flashlight.
• If camping with a dog, keep it on a leash or in your vehicle. An unleashed dog may irritate a bear and bring it back to camp.
• Keep young children close to you.
• Keep a can of bear ‘pepper’ spray handy and in your tent at night. Know how to use it!

To learn more, visit www.srd.alberta and click on Fish and Wildlife.