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News & Events

Last Review/Updated: March 26, 2003

In the last 25 years, the Castle Special Management Area has experienced increased use by the public and user groups. This increased use has lead to greater environmental pressures within the area. In order to preserve and protect the Castle's natural resources, the Alberta Government recognised the need to balance environmental protection with the other uses by formulating integrated resource management plans.

The Castle River Integrated Resource Plan [Department of Energy and Natural Resources, 1986] focuses on the resource and recreational values attributed to the Forest Land Use Zone and provides a policy level framework from which land and resource management can proceed on an integrated basis. The Castle Special Management Area-Forest Land Use Zone is directly linked to the integrated resource plan that covers the same geographical area.

The Castle River Integrated Resource Plan provides broad direction in terms of motorized access through objectives, and guidelines for the management of specific resources. The integrated resource plans also addresses that issue through the Eastern Slopes Policy zoning configuration prescribed in the document.

From 1986 to 1992, 23 stakeholder groups participated in the development of the access management plan (AMP) for the Castle area in order to balance human use with environmental protection. The access management plan was created in partnership with government and members of the public, so that the public determined the use guidelines for the Castle area. The AMP provides the general public, and those who recreate in the sub-region, with a field-oriented guide for motorized recreational pursuits. By addressing where motorized recreation may or may not occur, the access management plan also integrates this activity with other, non-motorized recreational interests.

In May 1996, on a voluntary basis, the AMP was implemented and the public was responsible for policing themselves. The Castle Special Management Area, Forest Land Use Zone, passed by order in council in 1998, creating new legislation to regulate and protect the area. Sustainable Resource Development staff have been responsible for the compliance and monitoring of the Castle SMA.

Access management planning within the Castle Special Management Area - Forest Land Use Zone is an ongoing process and the plan is considered to be a 'living document' (Special Places - Pincher Creek Local Committee recommendation adopted by the Government of Alberta) that practices adaptive management in order that it be maintained in a state that reflects current natural resource conditions in the area, resource management policies and scientific principles. Sustainable Resource Development also recognises that the access management plan must be responsive to the recreating public and present circumstances in the Forest Land Use Zone. The plan will continue to address the needs for which it was established through the implementation of the following activities:

  1. A review of the access management plan will be conducted every 5 years. Road and trail classifications may be reviewed and altered in response to changing needs and circumstances within the context of the Castle River Integrated Resource Plan.
  2. Amendments to the access management plan will be undertaken with the involvement of and will include an opportunity for review by the general public. In the event that an access related amendment is made within the integrated resource plan (ie. eastern slopes zoning), the access management plan will be accordingly amended
  3. Updates concerning the access management plan will be made available to the general public.
  4. Area staff from Sustainable Resource Development, through the course of their regular duties, will monitor motorized recreational use levels to determine the effectiveness of the access management plan.
  5. Sustainable Resource Development staff in the Crowsnest operating area of the Southern Rockies Area will continue to monitor the effects of, liase with and educate the public concerning and undertake enforcement activities as required for the purposes of, the access management plan.

Sustainable Resource Development is currently in the process of conducting a review of the current Castle Access Management Plan (Castle AMP) for the purpose of 'updating' the plan as outlined above. This review is an important on-going commitment by the Alberta government in support of the management of natural resources within the Castle Special Management Area.

The review of the Castle AMP continues to recognise the objectives through which the original plan was developed, as outlined below:

  1. Address motorized recreational access considering the protection of wildlife populations and habitat; fisheries, land and watershed management concerns; wildland and recreational opportunities; and the seasonal limitations associated with various types of motorized recreational access,
  2. Promote responsible motorized recreational access and respect for the rights of others who live, gain their livelihoods or recreate in the area,
  3. Promote a balanced solution to the issue of motorized recreational access in the area by integrating the various interests of those who use the area,
  4. Continue to provide a system for the management of motorized recreational access to establish the long term sustainable continuation of that legitimate recreational activity.