Bighorn Regional Advisory Committee advice out of step with most Albertans

On Wednesday the province of Alberta released advice from the Regional Advisory Council (RAC) for the North Saskatchewan Regional Land Use Plan, including an area known as the Bighorn Backcountry.

“This is advice given to a previous government and does not reflect the outlook of most Albertans about the importance of parks, wildlife and water,” says Stephen Legault, program director at Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative.

“Headwaters protection, recreation opportunities for all Albertans, and protecting wildlife should be clear priorities moving forward.”

“The status-quo isn’t good enough for Alberta if we want to continue to lead Canada in our efforts to protect nature and encourage families to recreate in our great outdoors,” says Kecia Kerr, executive director of the Northern Alberta Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.

The groups will continue to work with community members, First Nations, and other citizens to ensure a positive vision and plan protecting the 6,800-square-kilometres of the Bighorn is advanced by the government.

They also thank the 27 members of the advisory committee who participated in the RAC process for their time and dedication.

For further comment please contact:

  • Stephen Legault, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative Alberta, Crown and Northwest Territories, [email protected], 403-688-2964
  • Kecia Kerr, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society Northern Alberta executive director, [email protected], 780-399-2073

- 30 -