Parks across Alberta seeing damage from overuse, environment minister says

Parks across the province are facing the sameovercrowding and environmental damage as seen in a west-central Alberta wilderness area, says Environment Minister Jason Nixon.

"The situation taking place west of Rocky Mountain House andSundre is no different than what we're seeing all across theprovince," Nixon said Wednesday.

He wouldn't commit to an immediate increase in facilities orenforcement for the Bighorn backcountry, despite concerns raised byhis own department.

Earlier this week, The Canadian Press reported on a provincialcommittee that oversees the Bighorn, a vast section of mostly unserviced backcountry once considered for a park.

• Report details random camping stresses on Alberta wilderness

The committee's report and interviews with local people described an area swarmed by tens of thousands of campers who cuttrees, strew garbage and trespass. The report described usage levelsas "insane."

It said garbage and human feces litter the landscape, despitelarge dumpsters installed by one community. Area First Nations said they can no longer hunt or gather plants. Sacred sites have been disturbed.

Volunteer search-and-rescue services said demand has increasedmanyfold.The report said fire pits pock the bush and campers shoot firearmsalong power cutlines. Campers set up for the weekend, leaveeverything and return five days later.

Enforcement in the area is limited to two rangers and an RCMPdetachment more than 100 kilometres away.

The report said rangers are "having a difficult time with peoplewho are wound pretty tight."

Nixon said every provincial park and recreation area is busy asAlbertans look for a safe way to enjoy a summer with their families.

"What is taking place in that location in the eastern slopes isexactly what we have taking place all across the province because ofCOVID. We'll continue to do our best to manage that."

The government has provided help with garbage collection, headded. Additional enforcement, bathrooms and parking pads will haveto wait.

"We continue to work closely with the conservation officerenforcement division in Alberta Environment and Parks, as well aswith our partners in (Alberta) Justice, with Fish and Wildlife andthe RCMP," Nixon said.

"We'll continue to move forward through our North Saskatchewanregional planning process in that area, which will result in some infrastructure investment to deal with some of the concerns."

Nixon did not provide a timeline. The planning he referred to hasbeen going on for a decade.