There is an initiative to close the Brule Dunes, Brule Pasture and Solomon Mountain trails to OHV use. Please sign the petition to keep these areas open. 

Below is a summary from a recent Yellowhead country meeting;

Irresponsible OHV use causing damageCounty hears concerns regarding Sand Dunes and Community Pasture near Brule continued from front

upturn in Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) usage in the area, and specifically mentioned “the operation of dirt bikes, mostly by younger persons.”

“They have no respect for other users and feel they have the right to ride wherever they wish,” said Hayward. “Because of the size of the machines, they are riding traditional hiking and equestrian trails that have been in use for over 100 years.”

Hayward said these riders are destroying trails, disturbing people and wildlife, and riding in areas that are closed to them such as Rock Lake, Solomon Creek Wildland Park, and Ogre Canyon.

Every year, OHV accidents occur in the area and are responded to by Yellowhead County. In March, an ATV accident occurred at the Brule Community Pasture, and Hayward outlined the cost to the taxpayer of this incident which would not have occurred “if the parties involved had not been riding in a closed area and without due care and caution.”

The ATVer drove over a cliff and fell 20 feet. Emergency response included: 1 RCMP car with 1 officer, 1 Basic Life Support Ambulance with 2 EMTs, 1 Advanced Life Support Ambulance with 2 Paramedics, 1 YCFD Engine with 1 Fire Officer and 1 Firefighter, 1 YCFD Pickup with 3 Firefighters, Trailer, and ATV, and 1 YCFD pickup with Duty Officer from YCFD Headquarters in Edson.

“This totally preventable incident ultimately cost several thousand dollars,” wrote Hayward.

Olson brought the issue forward to Council, looking for a discussion on possible solutions. She spoke not only about the OHV usage but also in regard to people misusing the area, ignoring signage, and “going wherever they want.” She also spoke of the lack of washroom facilities in the area, and how it is leading to “a lot of human waste.”

Much of the area in question is crown land, so the County does not have full abilities to deal with issues. While Director of Protective Services Albert Bahri said they are “not hog-tied completely,” they do need assistance from other groups.

Olson spoke of a lack of presence and enforcement in the area, leading some people to believe they can act as they please. “It would help if they saw a police presence of any type,” she said, noting that if irresponsible users begin to receive fines, “word will spread.”

Members of Council reiterated that the vast majority of recreationists in the County are responsible. But even a small number of irresponsible users can cause irreparable damage, and cause injuries to themselves or others. “We need to make sure they're safe,” said Olson. “We can't just turn our heads.”

Council discussed and decided that, being that most of the area is crown land, their first steps need to be reaching out to other levels of government. Mayor Jim Eglinski said letters to MLAs, the Minister of Environment and Parks, and others will need to be put together.

The County will also be looking at what enforcement they could offer in the area, such as on access roads that are still County property. Director Bahri also commented that he, alongside other enforcement agencies, have “targeted blitzes” planned at different times this summer in different areas of the County, and that they could look to “reshape the program” and consider targeting that area more specifically.

Council also discussed the issue of a “random camping fee” that the Alberta government is set to put in place June 1. Concerns that the fee could encourage the misuse of crown land arose.

“We're going to have a lot more people out there,” said Councillor Shawn Berry. “They're actually advertising, 'Come on out and destroy our Sand Dunes. Come on out and go in the bush and leave your garbage behind.' That's what they're saying by permitting random camping.”

Berry said he personally doesn't have an issue with random camping, as he has done so himself, but that the “proliferation of random camping and OHV is causing a lot of distress on our people and our environment.”

Berry raised concerns that the fee seemed like it could be a “cash cow” for the Province and wondered where the funds would go. Councillor Giezen commented that it would be important for the money to “go to the right place.”

Members of Council also noted that municipalities hadn't been consulted before the decision of the random camping fee was announced.

Council directed Administration to prepare letters to other members of government regarding the issues in the Brule area as a first step in finding a solution. “Because if we don't do anything, then how do they know we have a huge problem?” asked Olson.