The announcement earlier this month that the Castle area of Alberta will be protected with the new designation as an expanded wildland provincial park and a new provincial park was met with celebration by conservation groups.
Covering close to 104,000 hectares in area, the Castle is an ecologically diverse expanse of mountains, foothills, forests, grasslands, rivers and lakes in southwestern Alberta. Conservation groups have long fought to have the area protected and were critical of the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan for not going far enough.
“Protecting the Castle is critically important for the biodiversity and water quality of this entire region,” said Minister of Environment and Parks Shannon Phillips. “Under Parks’ legislation, and with the input of all Albertans, we will permanently protect this special place for future generations to enjoy as we transition the land to support good local jobs in tourism and recreation.”
The announcement also included that all forestry operations will cease in the Castle area, which is a critically important wildlife corridor and forms part of the Crown of the Continent.
In addition to discontinuing commercial forestry within the Castle area, there will be a prohibition on surface rights access for any new petroleum and natural gas leases. Existing petroleum and natural gas leases will be honoured. No new tenure will be sold for extracting metallic, mineral, coal or surface resources. Existing leases for metallic, mineral and coal commodities will be cancelled, consistent with direction under the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan. Current livestock grazing permits will be respected according to a government press release.
Liberal leader David Swann welcomed the announcement and effort to protect the area.
“This marks a victory of many years of work,” said Swann. “The protection of Castle area is vital to safeguarding our waterways, and I am pleased that action is being taken.”
Conservation groups like the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society southern Alberta chapter, Alberta Wilderness Association and Yellowstone to Yukon celebrated the announcement after 40 years of advocacy work to see it protected.
Designating the Castle under the Provincial Parks Act will allow government to focus on stewardship, protecting and enhancing biodiversity, and boosting the local economy by promoting the area as an outdoor destination for Albertans and out-of-province visitors.
The government is asking for feedback from the public on the future of the Castle Special Management Area. Go to albertaparks.ca/consult for information.
