The government of Alberta’ s Report a Poacher hotline has been opened up to accept calls from the public when they witness serious abuse of public lands other than poaching.
The government of Alberta’ s Report a Poacher hotline has been opened up to accept calls from the public when they witness serious abuse of public lands other than poaching.
The 1-800-642-3800 line is available 24 hours a day for complaints regarding abuse of public lands and through it officers with Fish and Wildlife or Conservation Officers will be notified.
Traditionally, the phone number has been used exclusively to report poaching activities on public land but now has been added to heighten enforcement efforts as part of the government’ s multi-agency approach to address public lands abuses.
The expanded service was announced prior to the May long weekend and applies over the summer with government deploying additional resources on public lands.
According to the government press release, additional law enforcement resources will be particularly in areas where there is a greater need for enforcement of bans and restrictions.
“We encourage all Albertans to respect the land and comply with any bans or restrictions in place to avoid enforcement actions resulting in fines or other legal consequences,” said Minister of Environment and Parks Shannon Phillips. “Albertans love their natural areas and have a right to enjoy them undamaged now and into the future.”
Random camping, garbage and mud-bogging have been land use issues in the Ghost Valley area for residents in particular recently. Several press releases this year from the Stop Ghost Clearcut citizen group have called for greater enforcement of the area by the government.
In February, residents called it a “lawless wasteland” and described its state at the hands of off highway vehicle users in particular as “nothing short of land abuse.”
“There are Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) users that treat the Ghost Watershed as a 'free for all' zone where all activities are permitted in all areas," said Ghost Valley resident Hugh Pepper at the time. "In the winter, OHVs and vehicles of every description drive on the frozen Ghost Reservoir and up the Ghost River. In the summer, trucks and other OHVs travel the river’ s gravel bed, while nearby streams and wetlands become playgrounds for the worst offenders."
Driving vehicles through waterways is a particular concern in the Eastern Slopes as many streams are habitat for protected or threatened species like the bull trout.
A Fish and Wildlife Facebook post drew attention to this type of circumstance as an example of when Albertans should be using the Report a Poacher number.
Earlier this year, Cochrane Fish and Wildlife Officers responded to a four-by-four truck in the middle of the Elbow River near the Highway 66 bridge. The vehicle was 100 metres upstream of the bridge crossing and the driver ultimately appeared in court and received a $1,500 fine.
“The Elbow River is vital habitat for bull trout, which is a threatened species in Alberta,” stated the Facebook post. “Driving in the bed of a stream can damage fish habitat and contribute to erosion. It also stirs up silt and sediment, which compromises the water quality for fish.”
Fish and Wildlife officers will respond and investigate reports of public land abuses across the province, while conservation officers and seasonal park rangers will continue to patrol lands in the Eastern Slope region.
“Alberta’ s landscapes and wildlife habitats are important to all Albertans, and everyone can help protect them by reporting serious public lands abuses to the 24-hour line,” said Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Kathleen Ganley.
