Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) is proposing to decommission overnight campsites in Dead Man’s Flats and Kananaskis Country, which has caught some locals off guard.
Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) is proposing to decommission overnight campsites in Dead Man’s Flats and Kananaskis Country, which has caught some locals off guard.
The proposal for Three Sisters Campground, in the Municipal District of Bighorn’s Dead Man’s Flats hamlet beside the Bow River, would see closure of 36 overnight campsites (April-Oct.) in favour of it becoming a daily and seasonal day-use area.
The proposed changes surfaced in November 2016 and were brought on to avoid replacing buildings damaged in the 2013 flood, among others.
“Future flood potential was one of the main issues for the Three Sisters proposal and wildlife-human conflict,” said Thea Mitchell, AEP flood recovery planner.
AEP is accepting public input until Feb. 13 for proposed changes to the Three Sisters campground.
AEP holds jurisdiction over the campground that was established in the late ’70s and would remove campground signage, one washroom, a cook shelter, and maintenance buildings.
Included in the proposal is rezoning a portion of the facility zone area to preservation and additions to the site would include a small traffic loop constructed near the watercraft hand launch and adding six public parking spots and six picnic tables, along with stairs to improve access to the launch site.
It would also have construction/formalization of four commercial operator parking stalls near the entrance gate to accommodate existing raft and floating company vehicles, said Mitchell.
Mitchell also stated AEP is not looking to relocate an overnight campground in Dead Man’s Flats, but they are looking to enhance wildlife habitat and increase camping capacity throughout the K-Country region.
An AEP report stated Three Sisters campground had higher grizzly and black bear occurrences compared to nearby Lac Des Arcs and Bow River campgrounds between 2002-15.
In that timeframe, Three Sisters had 34 bear occurrences, while Lac Des Arcs was at nine, and Bow River at three.
In 2014, AEP met with an arborist to evaluate the trees at Three Sisters. Mature, flood-affected trees on the campgrounds’ north end outside the proposed day use area were “showing signs of deterioration” and a “tree hazard will increase when the trees start to decay,” which could be over the next decade.
Should AEP go ahead with the proposed changes after public consultation, Mitchell said a decision hasn’t been made as to when redevelopment would occur. Although, the EP news release stated it could begin as early as late winter or early spring of 2017.
MD of Bighorn council is not opposed to the proposed changes, and they are also not opposed to any members of the public wanting to express disagreement to the government.
Council unanimously approved a motion on Tuesday (Jan. 10) at its regular meeting stating it has no problem with the public going to AEP regarding the proposal at Three Sisters campground.
“It’s important to recognize that (Three Sisters campground) is outside the jurisdiction of the MD,” said Councillor Paul Ryan at the meeting.
“Any community group has the opportunity to go to the province with any issue they have.”
In an email, Reeve Dene Cooper stated the proposed changes would allow “better movement of wildlife along the river on the west side of DMF and it fits with Bighorn’s concept of moving wildlife around rather than through the community.”
Surprised to learn of the proposal at Three Sisters campground were Dead Man’s Flats businesses and residents alike.
Dawn Donald, owner of Mad Dog Café & Market in Dead Man’s Flats, said she was disappointed to only hear about the proposal on Monday (Jan. 9). She said losing the overnight campground would be a “huge loss for our community.
“Absolutely, we think it’ll affect our business,” she said. “One of our considerations taking the business (in Dead Man’s Flats) was that campground was there and we definitely get people in on a daily basis.
“People in the community let me know (about the proposal), otherwise it was put out quietly. I didn’t get a letter in the mail.”
Donald plans on sending feedback to AEP.
Miriam Busby, a resident of River’s Bend in Dead Man’s Flats, was surprised to hear about the proposal and has sent feedback to AEP.
The overnight campground is a convenient getaway for locals, she said, adding she wonders why the campground couldn’t be closed on an as-needed basis, much like the Lac Des Arcs Campground a few kilometres away that has temporarily closed due to bear activity previously.
“I understand the need to protect the area – I think it’s an overreaction based on the (2013) flood which was really an unusual event,” Busby said.
Between April and August 2016, Three Sisters campground had about 3,000 overnight campers and made just under $79,000 in revenue.
While in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, three campgrounds are involved in a redevelopment proposal that would close 12 of 95 overnight campsites at Lower Kananaskis Lake campground to reduce the risk of negative encounters between people and bears.
Boulton Creek and Mt. Sarrail campgrounds would also be affected.
AEP is accepting public input until Feb. 7 for the Lower Kananaskis Lake campground.
A full list of proposed changes can be found at AlbertaParks.ca, under the public consultation section.
