By Erika Rolling/EverythingGP

Provincial Politics

Trails Act implemented in Alberta, collaboration with two recreational organizations

Feb 20, 2023 | 11:50 AM

The province says it’s supporting safe and accessible trails across Alberta by appointing two provincial community organizations to be designated trail managers.

With the implementation of the Trails Act, the Alberta Off-Highway Vehicle Association and the Alberta Snowmobile Association will continue maintaining, repairing, and improving trails across Alberta to make sure they are safe for all.

The two organizations received $1 million in 2022-23 provincial funding and will get $1 million each over the next three years as a part of Budget 2023.

MLA for Central-Peace Notley and Minister of Forestry, Parks, and Tourism Todd Loewen says our province’s trails connect Albertans and visitors to the outdoors.

“I believe that our outdoor spaces are for people… for people to explore, for people to learn, and for people to enjoy.”

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Loewen says snowmobiling and off-highway vehicle trails are maintained by community organizations that volunteer time to keep trail systems possible.

“Trail agreements are being developed so there’s a clear understanding of the goals of the funding and environmental protections.”

He notes these first two trail agreements will be developed and used to make future agreements with organizations across Alberta.

Under the Trails Act, new trails can only be approved through a planning process to identify and designate them to make sure social, economic, and environmental aspects are considered before being made.

Trail managers will be responsible for managing a number of provincially designated trails for snowmobiles and off-highway vehicles while coordinating the building and maintaining trails with local area clubs. Approved land-use plans for areas must align with the trails being managed to ensure that environmental commitments are upheld as well.

“When we look at the trail that we have, we have thousands of kilometres of trails across the province, they’re obviously gonna take some time and energy to keep up,” says Loewen. “There’s always maintenance and improving and these organizations have been great at trying to do their best to protect their environment in any way they can.”

The province says the appointments align with the mandate letter commitment for trails, to ensure there are sufficient high-quality and low-cost recreation sites for Albertans.