The View
from the Presidents Handlebars
April 2005
While it really wasn’t a typhoon, the June rains came in record amounts, causing us here in Sundre a very tense weekend. Our house did survive but many in the local area suffered total losses. Things are still not back to normal. The West Country also experienced profound changes. Roads, bridges and trails are no more and in many cases, all the hard work of the clubs and volunteers has been washed down stream.
Folks that chose to ignore the AB Sustainable Resource Development (SRD) guardian’s warnings to evacuate, got to spend some unexpected additional time on the wrong side of raging rivers and missing bridges. Word is, there are still a lot of trucks, trailers and equipment that will be out there until fall or winter. They are located on the wrong side of the low priority fix list. The SRD office in Calgary posted a bulletin requesting users to stay out of the backcountry and this was for a very good reason. With roads badly undermined, bridges of questionable integrity and extreme erosion on many of the trails, the West Country wasn’t a safe place to be. More importantly, from a trail stewardship point of view, putting wheels on the trails at this time is devastating to the trail. The ground is already saturated, water is sitting everywhere and the soils can’t handle this type of usage. But despite this, our brethren who for the most part don’t spend any time on trail stewardship, headed out to the hills to partake in the mud fest. The damage to our trails was further compounded.
The reason I bring this up is that during our discussions in access planning, we encourage temporary closure of trail systems to avoid trail degradation due to poor conditions. For those of you who have spent a weekend with a shovel, repairing rutting and erosion, will appreciate this. With the volunteer organizations being saddled with maintenance of the provincial trail resource, it is important our SRD partners take this very important step of temporary closure and it is equally our responsibility to make sure we respect these closures.
On the July 16th weekend, a group of dedicated AOHVA members from the Brazeau ATV Club and the Alberta Dual Sport Club got together up in the Cardinal River to hold a trail stewardship day on the Headwaters Trail. AOHVA has been the steward of this trail for close to ten years now. The hardy bunch headed out in the mist and weather to fill in some wash outs and to drain water holes. After filling the worst of the holes, we motored up to the falls to reward ourselves with the trail’s splendor for our hard work. The damage that had been inflicted on the trail due to the wet weather was extremely disheartening and I was completely disgusted by the complete disregard for the trail by those who took their ATV’s over it when it was in this condition. I would have hoped that SRD had taken the step to close trail to protect the investment of the upgrade but they didn’t, and that now leaves the fate of the trail in our hands. Unfortunately, our detractors when they categorize us, lump everyone in the same mold when there’s only a few who make us all look bad. The proof as to how bad the trails were, was in the rutting.
I’m the guy that has to stand up and convince the public, government, and the Eco’s that we are a responsible bunch and too few of you are helping me out here. I am directing this mostly to the non-members. As members of the AOHVA, you have made the important step of joining the Association, and trust me, that is the most important step. I get a choir to preach to. But you also have become an advocate for your sport and by being a member, have given yourself the duty to protect your right of access to our crown lands. You have recognized that as a motorized recreationalist, you have the additional challenge of protecting our water, land and air. You must also take a stand when you are out in the bush and see abuses of our trails. We’re all in this together.
So, how is all this going to turn out? The Ghost Access Management Plan already is showing signs of significant trail reductions. In the Bighorn, despite the hard work of the local clubs, the closure hammer continues to be held over our heads. In the Castle, the Eco’s are lobbying for a complete re-opening of the plan and the current access planning philosophy requiring ‘balance’, means we will lose at least 50% of the trail. The Special Places program hasn’t finished their quest of closing us out of riding areas.
So folks, looking over my handlebars, I don’t see anything too promising in our riding future and unless we change, there is no reason for optimism. We have seen the enemy…he’s looking back at us in the mirror. Happy trails,
Cal Rakach
Redwater Riders Club News
As you will remember from the last newsletter, the fence dividing the motorized and non-motorized areas was to be in place by June 1, 2005. This has not happened yet, and it is late July. According to SRD officials, all materials have been purchased, but they are still looking for a contractor to do the work.
Anyway, we were not the ones who demanded the fencing be installed. No panic or worries from our side, although it would be nice to put this situation to rest.
The area is being kept pretty clean so far this year. A couple of our signs have been shot at or have disappeared. One "bad apple" found it irresistible to rip down the ribbons and take his Quad into the wet pond next to the staging area!! A HUGE NO-NO in a natural area. We were proud of how well it came back, and how green it has become again…
Remember: Plate and insurance regulations are now being enforced. Make sure your bike/ATV is legal. The fines are significant compared to the cost of compliance.
Rudy Zacsko Sr.
Suzuki Canada Supports the Cause in Alberta
In a move to help the folks that are on the front lines of maintaining riding opportunities in Alberta, Suzuki Canada has provided two ATV’s to the AOHVA. In conjunction with Turple Brothers of Red Deer, a 2005 LTZ 400 has been provided to Cal Rakach, AOHVA President for his use in trail inventory and development through out the province. Glen Turple, Turple Bros. owner, explains "the work of the AOHVA is critical to the long term sustainability of riding in the province and we support that effort."
The second quad, a 2005 King Quad 700 EFI, the flag ship of the Suzuki line up, was provided to Glen French, AOHVA Director and Canada Coalition for Access and Stewardship (CCAS) President through Ranchers Supply in Pincher Creek. Ranchers Supply has a long history of supporting the Crowsnest Pass Quad Squad and stewardship activities in the Pass. Merlin Lewis of Ranchers says "this is just another way to help out the folks trying to keep our trails open in our back yard." The King Quad’s primary duty will be to support the Quad Squad’s ATV Rider Training Program and make it to various VIP rides through out Alberta and BC. The King Quad will then be given as a raffle prize with proceeds being put toward trail projects.
"This type of support is greatly appreciated." says Rakach, "As we try to catch all the access issues that surface across the province, we can put a lot of wear and tear on our own equipment and that comes out of our own pockets." The AOHVA looks forward to a long term relationship with Suzuki and the two dealerships, to help in the cause of maintaining access to riding.
Cardinal Headwaters Trail Work Bee
For those of you that have ever camped with me, you soon find out that rain gear is a must. In the planning of the work bee, even the SRD folks I deal with refused to join us because they knew full well what type of weather I have the knack of providing. They’ve spent enough of their time with me up that valley in the rain and snow and the novelty had run thin. I promised rain and did not disappoint.
My son Matt and I headed up a couple of days early in hopes of catching some better weather prior to the work bee on July 16th. And we did hit some fine weather. We were able to head down the South Esk Trail that the Edson ATV Society spent time on bridging Chimney Creek and another fine day catching cutthroats at Ruby Lakes.
Then the rains came. As volunteers from the Brazeau ATV Society and Alberta Dual Sport Club arrived and set up camp, the skies began the transformation to a steady fall of dust control. The hardy bunch we are, this did not stop us. We had a job to get done and down the Grave Flats Road we headed.
The Headwaters Trail was given a substantial upgrade in 2002 to ensure the long term sustainability of the trail. Due to a freak spring run off some erosion occurred and it was our mission to repair it. Thanks to a Yamaha Rhino donated for the weekend by Victor Gascon of IMV Solutions Inc., we had our own little dump truck to help get things done. We then moved up the trail and spent time draining the numerous water holes to prevent the need for trail braiding around them. Due to the wet cold weather the gang soon pooped out and it was time head back to the warmth of the camp fire. Naturally departure day was sunny and warm.
The wet conditions on July Long weekend and extensive use gave way to some serious trail damage. Addressing these issues will be our next year’s projects.
Thanks to the folks that came out to man the shovels, Victor Gascon for the Rhino, AOHVA for the snacks and beverages and Suzuki Canada in conjunction with Turple Bros of Red Deer for my Suzuki LTZ400. See every one next year.
Cal Rakach
Access Management
The use of public lands.
Albertans started losing recreational access in earnest in the early 1980’s despite the significant growth in the number of Albertans seeking to pursue recreational activities in the backcountry.
The first restrictions came in under the guise of Integrated Resource Management plans, often good ideas but without funding, enforcement, or follow-up, it’s a classic case of too much talk & too
little action. This is where the anti-access lobby groups campaigning under the banner of environmentalists or "friends of" came into play. Huge multinational "environmental lobby groups" often fronted by the more radical local elements started to plan your exit from your public lands. The money started to roll into Alberta to fund local lobby groups & they in turn started to grow louder. They won’t be satisfied until they have eliminated all access to our backcountry, save their own. First came the hardball tactics, next the paid lobbyists focused on creating a bad image for certain users of Alberta’s public lands. It is worth
note that seldom do these groups fund anything beyond registering complaints. Many of the costs they create through protracted planning and access reviews are being picked up by the taxpayers of Alberta. Somehow the people on and closest to the land have the least input regarding its stewardship.
Industry & particularly motorized recreation came under the initial spotlight because they were the easiest targets to vilify, but how long until ranching, equestrians, mountain bikes, etc. are on the hit list? With increased special interest lobby & media pressure came less input from traditional users & greater emphasis on a largely urban-based agenda. Progressively, government bureaucrats took the bait that traditional users should justify why they should have continued access often starting from the media hype & lobbyist spin demonizing motorized users & industry. It was then, in the course of management plans & reviews that a new catch phrase came in. "Balance". We had to balance all users & for that matter non-user interests when it came to land access.
This "Balance" feeds the 50/50 split mentality that cycles on review to a 50% of 50% of 50%... a spiral that threatens to virtually eliminate many if not all traditional users from accessing their recreation & livelihoods. First it was Kananaskis country, then Access Management Plans, then Special Places 2000, then more access plans until there is little, or no place left for recreational use by motorized activities. The next step has already started with the threats from a US based environmental protection group that threatens to sue to get industry shut down. Whose recreation, lifestyle, jobs & ultimately homes are at risk here? Motorized users participated in good faith from the beginning of these unrelenting processes turned into attacks on traditional users. Now the time has come for some true Balance to reverse government scales that have been severely out of balance. We as recreational users & industry have to step up & demand fair & equitable land access. We need to reassert our stewardship of the land not cede it to radicals that want virtually all traditional user access denied, but their access never impeded in any way. We have worked hard to manage and develop a recreational industry to a billion dollars a year growth industry. We now need government funding, enforcement and real management of the industry before it is destroyed under the pretense of environmental correctness. Design the industry & trail infrastructure to respect & steward our backcountry to make it economically successful realizing its tourism potential. This is the BALANCE needed. Balance to date has been one sided & has stood for only one thing, ACCESS DENIED!! The way I see it, all Alberta is being economically affected in a huge way by land access denial. From the oil & gas industry, to forestry operations & right down the line to fishing & hunting in our public areas, we risk losing industries & the outdoor recreational activities that make the Alberta Advantage. We as motorized users are being condemned for our use without recognition of our contributions or historical access rights. The time for change is now before any more planning is done & more loss occurs. Do your part!! Help us facilitate change for the good of all Albertians.
For more information go to
http://www.cnpquadsquad.com/land_use_plans.htm and follow the links to do your own research.Glenn French
Mountain Park
For those wishing to use the Mountain Park area please be aware that much of the area is closed due to coal mining activity and the road is poor. For details on the closures go to http://www.elkvalleycoal.ca and follow the links to "Cardinal River Haul Road".
Biased Balance Planning
Albertans started losing recreational access in earnest in the early 1980’s despite the significant growth in the number of Albertans seeking to pursue recreational activities in the backcountry. The first restrictions came in under the guise of Integrated Resource Management plans, often good ideas but without funding, enforcement, or follow-up, it’s a classic case of too much talk & too little action.
This is where the anti-access lobby groups campaigning under the banner of environmentalists or "friends of" came into play. Huge multinational "environmental lobby groups" often fronted by the more radical local elements started to plan your exit from your public lands. The money started to roll into Alberta to fund local lobby groups & they in turn started to grow louder. They won’t be satisfied until they have eliminated all access to our backcountry, save their own.
First came the hardball tactics, next the paid lobbyists focused on creating a bad image for certain users of Alberta’s public lands. It is worth note that seldom do these groups fund anything beyond registering complaints. Many of the costs they create through protracted planning and access reviews are being picked up by the taxpayers of Alberta. Somehow the people on and closest to the land have the least input regarding its stewardship.
Industry & particularly motorized recreation came under the initial spotlight because they were the easiest targets to vilify, but how long until ranching, equestrians, mountain bikes, etc. are on the hit list? With increased special interest lobby & media pressure came less input from traditional users & greater emphasis on a largely urban-based agenda. Progressively, government bureaucrats took the bait that traditional users should justify why they should have continued access often starting from the media hype & lobbyist spin demonizing motorized users & industry. It was then, in the course of management plans & reviews that a new catch phrase came in. "Balance". We had to balance all users & for that matter non-user interests when it came to land access.
This "Balance" feeds the 50/50 split mentality that cycles on review to a 50% of 50% of 50%... a spiral that threatens to virtually eliminate many if not all traditional users from accessing their recreation & livelihoods. First it was Kananaskis country, then Access Management Plans, then Special Places 2000, then more access plans until there is little, or no place left for recreational use by motorized activities. The next step has already started with the threats from a US based environmental protection group that threatens to sue to get industry shut down. Whose recreation, lifestyle, jobs & ultimately homes are at risk here?
Motorized users participated in good faith from the beginning of these unrelenting processes turned into attacks on traditional users. Now the time has come for some true Balance to reverse government scales that have been severely out of balance. We as recreational users & industry have to step up & demand fair & equitable land access. We need to reassert our stewardship of the land not cede it to radicals that want virtually all traditional user access denied, but their access never impeded in any way.
We have worked hard to manage and develop a recreational industry to a billion dollars a year growth industry. We now need government funding, enforcement and real management of the industry before it is destroyed under the pretense of environmental correctness. Design the industry & trail infrastructure to respect & steward our backcountry to make it economically successful realizing its tourism potential. This is the BALANCE needed. Balance to date has been one sided & has stood for only one thing, ACCESS DENIED!!
The way I see it, all Alberta is being economically affected in a huge way by land access denial. From the oil & gas industry, to forestry operations & right down the line to fishing & hunting in our public areas, we risk losing industries & the outdoor recreational activities that make the Alberta Advantage. We as motorized users are being condemned for our use without recognition of our contributions or historical access rights. The time for change is now before any more planning is done & more loss occurs. Do your part!! Help us facilitate change for the good of all Albertans.
Glen French & Barry Harper
The Alberta Off-Highway Vehicle Association - Working to Keep You Riding
Please support those who support the AOHVA.