AURS Needs Your Trail Data and Letters of Support!

Update from the AURS Regarding GAMP

On October 21st 2005, Alberta Sustainable Resources Development (SRD) held a meeting for interested OHV parties to go over 'trail criteria'. During this meeting we were notified that stakeholders have until the end of this month (October) to gather and send off ALL GPS information we have in the Ghost/Waiparous area. We request that all parties send off your GPS info to Amanda Morosse at vicepresident_aurs@yahoo.ca We do apologize but all AURS Email accounts are down at the moment.

At this time it is imperative that each of you send off a letter supporting the AURS Comment for Consideration, see bottom of page.

GAMP Meeting Summary Notes

Background:
In April of 2005, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development unveiled a proposed access management plan (GAMP) for the Ghost area that would severely restrict access to all forms of motorized users by up to 95%. Since that time, the various motorized user groups, including the AURS, have attended meetings and provided input and information to SRD on this proposed draft plan.

Recent Activities:
The Motorized Stakeholders attended an information session hosted by SRD on October 21, 2005. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss trail criteria and the methodology being used by SRD in determining sustainability of the trail network in the GHOST. In attendance at this meeting were representatives of RMDRA, AOHVA, AU RS, the ASA, and FAN (a non-motorized group). Information was presented to the attendees and a question and answer session followed. No commitments were provided by SRD on the status of GAMP other than the information provided on the data gathering methods that were used to inventory the trail system.

On October 30th, there will be a meeting of all stake-holders (motorized and non motorized), where SRD will provide another feedback and consultation opportunity. This will be followed by a ten day window (to November 10th) where feedback and information will be accepted from stakeholders and other interested parties (that's you).

Please keep writing letters, indicating your support for all forms of Motorized recreation in the Ghost...

AURS Comment For Consideration

This is intended as a personal comment on the proposed Ghost Access Management Plan (GAMP) as proposed by Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (SRD).

The GAMP plan as currently proposed by SRD, DOES NOT have the support of the motorized community.

The Motorized community fully recognizes there are areas of conflict and concern with the existing trail network that MUST BE ADDRESSED by a Management plan, however, severely restricting all forms of motorized access to the existing trail system as proposed is not acceptable.

1. The motorized recreation community will FULLY SUPPORT the closure for reclamation of areas as outlined by SRD and other stakeholders, and will support, provide volunteer labor to enforce through peer positive activities any signing or fencing of these areas as "CLOSED FOR RECLAMATION". These areas include the Johnson Bog, the AREA behind the Gravel Pit, the Gravel Pit, any Riparian area where Multiple trails are present, Any hillside where multiple trail accesses exist, any spur trail which continues outside the GAMP boundary, any large watershed crossing where it is feasible to bridge or culvert.
2. The motorized recreation community will FULLY SUPPORT a mechanism or trail reclamation (I.E. bridge building, hole fill, water diversion, seasonal closures, trail rerouting) that, once complete to the satisfaction of DFO, SRD and other stake-holders, allows for the trail to be reopened to all forms of recreation, both motorized and non-motorized.
3. The motorized recreation community will FULLY SUPPORT the active implementation of an Adopt a Trail program with member groups and clubs.
4. The motorized recreation community will FULLY SUPPORT “No Camping within 30 meters of a water source".
5. The motorized recreation community will FULLY SUPPORT regional trail closures or seasonal trail closures where continued motorized recreation creates a legitimate conflict with other user groups. Such a mechanism for closure and reclamation will be mediated by a stakeholder group.
6. The motorized recreation community will FULLY SUPPORT closure of NON-LOOP SPUR TRAILS that continue outside the boundaries of the area managed by GAMP.
7. The motorized recreation community would FULLY SUPPORT a USER FEE FOR ALL USERS of the area, as long as the fees are put towards maintenance of the Ghost/Waiparous area.
8. The motorized recreation community IS NOT SEEKING ANY NEW AREAS AROUND THE GHOST FOR OHV USE.
9. The Motorized recreation community would FULLY SUPPORT creation of Challenge parks and obstacles.
10. The motorized recreation community would FULLY SUPPORT penalties for off trail activity or activities not in accordance with the principals of Tread Lightly.

Since "Motorized recreation is a recognized activity in the Ghost area", we want to reinforce that THE AREA DESCRIBED BY GAMP IS AN AREA WHERE MOTORIZED RECREATION is ALLOWED.

Acceptance of the terms above would turn thousands of responsible motorized users into proponents of a revised GA MP, and would allow the majority of stakeholder concerns to be addressed and accepted by the Motorized community.

As such, our requirement for support of the above is as follows:

• For the area managed by GA MP, we propose that the existing trail network be recognized as "OPEN UNLESS POSTED CLOSED TO ALL FORMS OF RECREATION". This simple tenant first and foremost recognizes that there is an EXISTING, WELL ESTABLISHED Trial network that is CURRENTLY IN USE by thousands of recreational enthusiasts.
• Motorized recreation is a GROWING and POPULAR activity that puts up to 800 Million Dollars annually into the Alberta Economy. The Ghost/Waiparous region is the area that has been set aside for this form of recreation, and the GA MP plan as now proposed is completely at odds with the reality of the requirements of the users.
• Limiting activities of Motorcycles by 90%, Quads by 70% and Jeeps and trucks by 90% is totally unacceptable, and the methodology that has been used by SRD is completely flawed, is not indicative of the wishes of the stake-holders, and is scientifically unsupportable.
• I would ask that you carefully consider integrating the concepts in this proposal into the GA MP plan, as it would provide support from the largest single group of users of the Ghost area.

We would, at this time, like to thank each of you ahead of time for writing your letters. We invite any comments or questions. Please feel free to Email us (for now) at vicepresident_aurs@yahoo.ca