By Aaron Mahoney (@Mahones93 on Twitter)

Over 300 provincial enforcement officers to patrol public land, parks and protected areas this summer

May 14, 2018 | 3:30 PM

BONNYVILLE – Over the May long weekend, and throughout the rest of the season, provincial government staff will once again be working to ensure all Albertans understand and follow the rules and regulations that protect public lands.

Minister of Environment and Parks Shannon Phillips says as Albertans, we’re truly fortunate to have so many outdoor recreation opportunities.

“It is our mission to conserve and protect our public land so that it is always there for people to enjoy.”

On top of the core funding for public land enforcement and management, the province will provide an additional $1.5 million for:

– hiring about 20 seasonal park rangers
– hiring five seasonal recreation engagement officers
– hiring eight seasonal problem wildlife positions to allow fish and wildlife officers more opportunity to enforce public lands legislation
– education materials and targeted outreach

Week-in-review: Federal Budget, water agreements and success for tourism industry

Apr 20, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 19, 2024

Apr 19, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: April 15, 2024

Apr 15, 2024

Fish and wildlife officers, conservation officers, park rangers and RCMP work together to enforce legislation on public land while environmental protection officers, lands officers and forest officers also play an important role.

Provincial enforcement officers issued 6,595 charges and warnings for various offences on public land last year, and of those 644 were for offences under the Public Lands Act and Public Lands Administration Regulation.

This year, enforcement personnel will be able to write on-the-spot tickets for an additional 38 new and increased specified penalties for existing public land and water bodies offences.

A release states these changes mean enforcement personnel can spend less time in court and more time on the landscape.

John Ferguson, an Assistant Commissioner with the Alberta RCMP Criminal Operations, says these new procedures will allow officers to operate more effectively.

“When it comes to protecting the integrity of Alberta’s beautiful lands and waterways, any process that increases efficiency in our day-to-day duties frees officers to better serve their communities in other capacities.”

Entering a restricted/prohibited area in a Public Land Use Zone will net violators a $402 fine and failing to report to a mandatory watercraft inspection station will cost $310. Fines for random camping on public land for more than 14 consecutive days will increase from $172 to $287.

The changes will come into force on May 31.

Alberta Fish & Game Association President Doug Butler says they applaud the government’s work to clean up public land.

“Destructive, irresponsible use of public land gives us all a black eye. We have always been in favour of increased enforcement alongside a comprehensive education, information and awareness program about stewardship of our public land and waters. We continue to be in favour of access to all public land in a responsible and non-destructive manner,” Butler said.

While most people take care not to damage public lands, the following examples of serious public land abuse continue to occur:

– driving a car, truck, OHV, etc., through a naturally occurring water body
– dumping large amounts of garbage
– cutting down trees and creating new trails instead of using existing ones
– building unauthorized structures on public land
– random camping in the same location for more than 14 days
– entering closed areas