The quarter of Crown land being used as an illegal shooting range is to be closed for 28 days by Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP).
The quarter of Crown land being used as an illegal shooting range is to be closed for 28 days by Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP).
The site has been the centre of controversy since shooters started a fire in the area in May, which drove locals to raise the ongoing issue of anti-social behavior directly with Westlock County.
Ryan Langkopf was one of a number of people who have campaigned for help in dealing with the influx of shooters and quaders, some of who treat the lands around Echo Lake as their personal playground.
'I guess we're happy that somebody is doing something," Langkopf said.
'It's better then nothing. You do get tired of each department saying it's somebody else's problem."
Details of the plan, which has yet to be formally announced, include locking up the quarter of land at SW 19-59-23-W4 from June 26 with barriers and a gate and extra enforcement personal at the site. However, the move and extra enforcement activity only applies to that one quarter and not other public or private land in the area and the gate will come down July 23.
'Any attempt to gain access to the site during the 28-day closure will be considered trespassing and subject to enforcement action," AEP spokesperson Jamie Hanlon wrote in an e-mail.
'Unfortunately, for operational reasons, I am unable to speak to tactics and resources we will be using in monitoring and enforcement."
In a memo detailing a meeting between the AEP, Westlock County and other enforcement stakeholders, the AEP requested assistance from local peace and RCMP officers as they feel their Fish and Wildlife staff aren't as qualified as area law enforcement.
Both local departments said they would help if they could and that's good enough for the AEP.
'We are pleased by our partners' support of this decision and their commitment of resources to assist Environment and Parks in monitoring and enforcement of the closure," Hanlon's statement reads. 'This is an example of effective collaboration and coordination between these partner groups and agencies."
The AEP has also requested assistance from area residents in monitoring the site and if they see unlawful things occurring, they call the agency at 1-800-222-6514. In the case of dangerous or criminal activity, the AEP urges the residents to call the RCMP.
Despite the fact the shooting range is on public land under the control of the AEP, the agency has sought assistance from Westlock County, including asking the municipality to provide the barriers and gate, as well as helping with communicating the changes.
It is not clear who will pick up the bill for the county's involvement and Westlock County CAO Peter Kelly is keeping check on the tab.
'It's not unaffordable but it is somewhat disconcerting, or may be, depending on if this becomes the common play," Kelly said.
County Reeve Bud Massy is firmly on the side of locals and is keen to see what happens during and after the closure. 'We're interested to see how it works," he said. 'To be proactive is to be better, it can't stay the way it is.
'The people in our community chose to live here for the quality of life and quietness, we have to protect that."
Langkopf isn't too concerned with who picks up the bill, he's just captiously optimistic that something is finally being done.
'Honestly, any action is better than no action," he said. 'You get kind of used to people passing the buck. Whether it's the RCMP saying they're not going to chase quads or Parks saying we can't enforce this, call Fish and Wildlife, and Fish and Wildlife says we have two guys in northern Alberta, they're busy. I'm hopeful that something works out."
Despite what the Westlock County memo says, the move of locking up Crown land is not unprecedented according to the AEP.
'There have been other public land closures enacted throughout the province under The Public Lands Administration Regulation (PLAR)," Hanlon's statement reads. 'The purpose of this particular closure is to ensure public safety, mitigate or prevent further damage to the landspace and modify user behaviours."
