By Aaron Mahoney (@Mahones93 on Twitter)

Public input sought on Livingstone-Porcupine Hills

Mar 28, 2018 | 1:57 PM

ALBERTA – The provincial government is looking for public feedback on the draft Livingstone-Porcupine Hills Land Footprint and Recreation Management plans.

Located in the southwestern part of the province, the Livingstone-Porcupine Hills is part of Alberta’s Eastern Slopes.

A release states the area provides much of the region’s drinking water, includes extensive portions of an ecologically diverse landscape, and is identified in the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan as a priority for Land Footprint and Recreation Management planning.

The draft Land Footprint Management Plan manages the impacts of competing land-use demands from expanding human development while providing continued opportunities for economic development and recreation.

Minister of Environment and Parks Shannon Phillips says the Livingstone-Porcupine Hills area is a tremendous public resource, and engaging Albertans in the planning process is essential to getting the best plans possible.

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“We need plans that protect the region’s headwaters, biodiversity, aesthetic beauty, and cultural and historic values, while accommodating an appropriate mix of uses, including enhanced recreation activities,” Phillips said.

The draft Recreation Management Plan provides recommendations on how various recreation activities can be accommodated in the region.

Both draft plans have been released, and the government wants to hear from First Nations, stakeholders and from members of the public.

The Alberta Wilderness Association believes the draft Livingstone-Porcupine Plans signal progress towards better management of public lands.

Conservation Specialist Joanna Skrajny says over the past few decades the failure to control industrial and motorized footprint on our public lands has resulted in widespread damage.

“Use of our public lands is a privilege, not a right.”

While the plans provide the opportunity for significantly reducing the human footprint on this landscape, AWA is concerned the plans may not meaningfully protect watersheds and biodiversity.

“These plans currently propose to exceed acceptable limits of roads and trails for grizzly bear recovery by a factor of two and will continue to place more sensitive species such as our native trout in jeopardy,” Skrajny continued. “Proposed motorized use within an internationally significant wildlife corridor is another concern that must be addressed.”

The stakeholder and public engagement will run until 4 p.m. on April 26.