Castle Area Management Planning
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:
- 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.
- 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
- Updates concerning the access management plan will be made available to the general
public.
- 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.
- 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:
- 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,
- Promote responsible motorized recreational access and respect for the rights of
others who live, gain their livelihoods or recreate in the area,
- 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,
- Continue to provide a system for the management of motorized recreational access
to establish the long term sustainable continuation of that legitimate recreational
activity.
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Updated: Mar 26, 2003