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You have the ability to help shape the future of Southern Alberta!
The Government of Alberta is currently receiving public input for the draft South Saskatchewan Regional Plan.
This plan will shape industry, the environment and recreation in the South Saskatchewan Region in Southern Alberta for years to come.
We were dismayed recently to learn that feedback and input from what might be called the 'self-propelled' outdoor community, which would include the fly fishing fraternity, has been minimal. The same goes for this group's attendance and participation at the Open Houses that were held across the province late last fall. Hardly anyone showed up.
The same cannot be said for the 'motorized' outdoor crowd, including those in the random camping/off-roading/ATV/quadding/dirt biking/bogging groups.
They came out in droves to the Open Houses, and have been 'loud and proud' in making their wants and wishes know. They are organized. They have had a dedicated Facebook Page set up since early February of 2013. They have a petition going that has almost 10,000 signatures on it.
What can we say but 'good on them'.
However, unless the there is a last minute show of interest from the 'self-propelled' side of the table, the end result could be a very one sided plan that, over the next 50 years, would be distressing to many of us.
This email update is intended to be the 'Coles Notes' for anyone who has not yet had time to research this topic.
We've included links to a number of articles that have been published in recent weeks. We've also included a few post-flood articles, because our 2013 flood and its aftermath is very certainly a watershed issue.
Taking a bit of time to read through them should give you a pretty good idea of what the main issues are.
Finally, we want to stress that it is NOT necessary to complete the online workbook. In fact, many have found that document to be quite confusing.
An email from you will carry the SAME weight as the workbook!!
We think this in a very important time in the history of our Bow River Watershed, and the greater South Saskatchewan Watershed. We hope you agree.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Call or meet with your MLA; call the Premier of Alberta or write to the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development.
Or simply send your email to bev.yee@gov.ab.ca (Assistant Deputy Minister, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development)
You have until January 15th to make your voice heard!
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