U of L geography team takes to the skies for LiDAR mission

The Chasmer and Hopkinson crews include, from left to right, Craig Mahoney, Emily Jones, Dr. Chris Hopkinson, Dr. Laura Chasmer, Maxim Okhrimenko, Linda Flade, Celeste Barnes and Kailyn Nelson.

• The first areas to be surveyed include the Wapta Icefields, located on the Continental Divide north of Lake Louise, the Castle area and Waterton Lakes National Park from July 14 to 16.

University of Lethbridge - Aerial and ground crews from the University of Lethbridge have launched a large campaign that will conduct multiple surveys in Alberta and the Northwest Territories to measure ecosystem changes associated with climate change and permafrost loss and to build understanding of the role of wildfire.

CCWC applauds Castle Management Plan

Castle-Crown Wilderness Coalition  -  For almost 30 years, the Castle-Crown Wilderness Coalition (CCWC) has worked with its conservation partners to see the Castle Area in southwestern Alberta receive the protection it deserves.  The CCWC thanks and commends Minister Shannon Phillips and the Government of Alberta for the final Castle Management Plan, and for the plan's commitment to manage the Castle Parks in the best interests of all Albertans.

AWA lauds Castle Parks management plan

Castle River. (Alberta Wilderness Association photo)

Alberta Wilderness Association - The provincial government has released a final management plan for the Castle Parks. Along with the establishment of Public Land Use Zones in the Livingstone-Porcupine, Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) recognizes the significant progress that has been made to protect the headwaters of the Oldman River.  "The Castle wilderness is truly a one-of-a-kind treasure in Alberta that will be enjoyed by all for generations to come," said Joanna Skrajny, AWA Conservation Specialist. "The Castle Parks hold cultural significance and will protect grizzly bears and native trout, while providing spectacular recreation opportunities." The government's plan acknowledges the overwhelming body of science that shows off-highway vehicles are not compatible with conservation goals and headwaters protection.

Better camping, more tourism in Castle parks

Travel Alberta / Jeff Bartlett photo

Government of Alberta - New family campsites, improved rustic backcountry camping and a new tourism campaign will encourage more Albertans to visit the Castle region this summer.  Albertans will have more opportunities for adventure this year as the province invests $3 million in capital upgrades in the Castle parks. Improvements will include new and improved family-friendly camping opportunities, trails, highly accessible front-country experiences and better access to the vast wilderness.

Castle Wildland Provincial Park developing backcountry hut-to-hut system

Artist's rendering of a backcountry hut in Castle Wildland Provincial Park

Government of Alberta - Alberta Parks is developing a world-class, backcountry hut-to-hut system in Castle Wildland Provincial Park in partnership with the Alpine Club of Canada.  This investment is part of the Government of Alberta’s ongoing commitment to diversify and modernize Alberta’s provincial parks system. Total funding for the project is $700,000 over two years.

September 29 Kenow fire update

Municipal District of Pincher Creek Wildfire Update September 29, 2017:

Kenow Fire Update

Within the Castle Area:
- Classified as Being Held.
- Crews are still monitoring the area. 

Within the South Portion of the MD:
- Classified as Under Control.
- Fire crews remain active within the area working towards the objective of 100% extinguishment.
- Smoke will continue to be evident in the area until these fires have been fully extinguished.

- Residents are reminded to remain vigilant to emergency vehicles, smoke and wildlife in the area.

- Although smoke from the ground fires may be present until the fires are completely extinguished, should the smoke be deemed emergent, please call 911.

Updates will be provided should additional information be received. 

Forest area closures update

Forest Area Closure map (Alberta Government)

Chris Davis - Forestry area closures announced yesterday are still in effect for the Calgary Forest Area, south of Highway 532 to the US border and west to the BC border,  Alberta Fire Control Zones 1, 2, and 3, including Waterton Lakes National Park and Castle Wildland Provincial Park. Highway 532 is just north of Chain Lakes and intersects with Highway 22. Highway 22 and Highway 3 remain open for traffic. Pincher Creek Emergency Services is conducting a risk appraisal at this time.  No evacuations have been ordered, but access to most affected areas is restricted to those with permits, with the exception of the communities of Hazell, Sentinel, Tecumseh, Coleman, Bushtown, Blairmore, Frank, Hillcrest Mines, Bellevue, and Burmis.  Click here for a list of locations to obtain an access permit. 

Castle Area Servicing Study completed, to be presented to province

CDTL - On June 27, 2016 the Government of Alberta announced a $448,832 grant to support detailed design work to extend the MD of Pincher Creek's regional water supply system to include the community of Beaver Mines. In late March of this year the Government of Alberta announced a $9 million grant to extend the Beaver Mines potable water pipeline connection along Highway 774 to Castle Mountain Resort.

Castle parks improvements underway

Syncline East Equestrian Day Use Area

Government of Alberta - New picnic tables, an expanded day-use area and 184 refurbished campsites are now open in Alberta’s new Castle parks.  The first part of a four-year, $20-million plan to improve recreation opportunities in the Castle parks is already complete. New amenities include improved and expanded campsites, an improved day-use area at Butcher’s Lake and new comfort cabins at Beaver Mines Lake.  Other projects currently underway include new day-use shelters and the creation of more than a dozen rustic camping sites capable of supporting RVs. The province is also conducting an assessment of all trails in the parks to develop a backcountry system for improved cross-country skiing, mountain biking, snowshoeing and horseback riding.

Letter to the Editor: Follow the money when it comes to OHVs in the Castle Parks

James Tweedie - In an opinion piece in the Edmonton Journal earlier this month, Gary Clark, as the mouthpiece for the Crowsnest Pass QuadSquad and lobbyist for the Alberta Off Highway Vehicles Association, made a number of outrageous statements in response to the many scientists who voiced their support for the decision by the Minister of Environment and Parks to phase-out Off Highway Vehicles from the recently designated Castle Parks.

ORCA advocates for quiet recreation in the Castle Parks

Christian Davis - Outdoor Recreation Council of Alberta (ORCA) Executive Director Albi Sole MSc appeared as a delegation before council for the MD of Pincher Creek at the outset of their April 11, 2017 regular meeting to talk about the benefits of non-motorized "quiet" outdoor recreation in the Castle Parks area.  He said ORCA recognizes the negative impact of removing off highway vehicles (OHVs) from the Castle Parks but averred the benefits will outweigh the negatives.

Syncline Castle Trails Association AGM to be held May 5

(promoting non-motorized recreation in the Castle)

AGM: May 5, 2017, 6:30 p.m.

Potluck supper before, and slides of backcountry travel after

Details: SynclineCastleTrailAssociation on Facebook OR synclinecastletrails.org website OR phone 403-627-5131

Alberta chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers supports direction of new Castle Parks

Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Alberta Chapter - A group of Alberta hunters and anglers are congratulating the government on the protection of the Castle Provincial and Wildland Parks and supporting the phase-out of off-highway vehicle use from the new parks.  The Alberta Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers are united in their belief that the freedom to hunt and fish depends on habitat. While many enjoy hunting and fishing on a range of landscapes, there is something special – even magical – about hunting deep in the backcountry or fishing on a remote river.

Comment: Immediately implement the SSRP as it was released in 2014

In March, Russell Bruder B.Sc. "Responsible Recreationalist" wrote the following to council for the MD of Pincher Creek regarding Castle region issues (excerpted):

"It is time to put a stop to the biased protectionist movement in the Castle Region (and the rest of Alberta). It is time for all responsible recreationalists (motorized or not), community members, landowners, user groups (grazing, hunting, trapping, fishing), and members of industry to speak out against those groups and individuals seeking to lock up the wilderness to assure it meets the needs of their value system.

Municipal District of Pincher Creek and area Citizen's Statement for the Castle Parks

At the Tuesday, March 14 meeting of council for the MD of Pincher Creek, a citizens' delegation was represented by Teresa Hlady, who read from a statement regarding the Castle parks that included the signatures of approximately 200 people. Here's a large excerpt of the statement:

Letter to the Editor: Fact checking the OHV story

Lorne Fitch, Professional Biologist - When Winston Churchill was accused of lying, he termed his absence of truth a “terminological inexactitude”, the Trump administration has coined “alternative facts” and what the OHV lobby engages in ranges from ”careless with the truth” to outright whoopers. It’s worth disassembling some of the whoopers told by some in the OHV group.

CNP Quad Squad responds to scientists' open letter to Environment Minister

Gary Clark, President CNP Quad Squad - Crowsnest Pass Quad Squad appreciates the concerns voiced by scientists who have written an open letter to the Minister of Environment. This letter argues for a ban on an activity enjoyed by thousands of ordinary Albertans who use purpose built ATV trails in the Castle Area. While the letter does add to our debate, it is very one-sided.

57 scientists support elimination of OHVs from the new Castle Parks

press release - Fifty-seven scientists sent an open letter today to Hon. Shannon Phillips, Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Parks urging the government to maintain the proposed phase-out of recreational off-highway vehicles (OHVs) from the Castle.  A draft management plan for the Castle Provincial and Wildland Provincial Parks, released in January, proposes a five-year phase-out of motorized recreation from the new Parks. The plan also creates opportunities for quiet, low-impact recreation.

AWA: Castle Parks a significant addition to Alberta’s protected areas

Alberta Wilderness Association - With the establishment of the boundaries for the two new Castle Parks, Alberta has achieved an important conservation goal, contributing an additional 1050 km2 to its protected landscapes. The two new parks will protect an area that contains the highest amount of biodiversity in Alberta outside of neighboring Waterton Lakes National Park. Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) believes this protection recognizes how much Albertans value the Castle, along with their concerns and expectations for the very best management of our public lands throughout Alberta.

Castle Parks to get nearly $20 million from Budget 2017, including paving and Beaver Mines water project

Government of Alberta - Highway paving and new water pipelines are part of nearly $20 million in infrastructure investment for the Castle Provincial Park and neighbouring communities.  Six million dollars from Budget 2017 will go towards paving an 11-kilometre gravel section of Highway 774 (the roadway to Castle Mountain Resort) within the newly established park. Another $9 million is earmarked to help the Municipal District of Pincher Creek construct a water line that ties Castle Mountain Resort to the Hamlet of Beaver Mines. The water line will also serve the Castle Provincial Park.  It builds on $4.7-million in grants from the province and the federal government to construct a water line between Beaver Mines and the Village of Cowley. All three pieces of infrastructure support local tourism in and around the Castle parks.