The wooded area within a 6.5-km radius of Kananaskis Village will be completely closed to the public during the G-8, security officials announced yesterday.
Several campgrounds and public spots outside that security area -- which makes up about 5% of Kananaskis Country -- will also be closed by RCMP and security personnel.
"Because of the challenges of the unique environment in Kananaskis, it's very different than any other area we've had to cover," RCMP Cpl. Jamie Johnston said about the size of the area.
"Guaranteeing security in a natural environment is very different than say in Quebec (for the Summit of the Americas), where to provide security we could set up a fence. It's not an option in K-Country."
Most areas will be closed from June 23 until the morning of June 28, but Johnston said others will be closed by June 17 to allow for police to set up "infrastructure" needed to keep the area safe.
Half of all the group camps and backcountry camps in Kananaskis will stay open, as will about 85% of vehicle accessible camping.
Hwy. 40 will remain open during the summit, which runs from June 26-27.
However, travellers should avoid using it if they don't have a reason to be there, Johnston suggested.
Motorists will be required to travel in escorted convoys and can expect to be searched when they go through secure areas.
To "respect" the environment, security staff won't set up any permanent structures such as fences, Johnston said.
But the Mountie said security officials will patrol the area and turn people back who inadvertently reach a closed-off trailhead.
The Barrier Lake Visitor Information Centre at 673-3985 and www.gov.ab.ca/home/g8/index.cfm are expected to have up-to-date information on recreation area closures.
FAIR USE NOTICE: This page contains copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. NoNonsense English offers this material non-commercially for research and educational purposes. I believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in 17 U.S.C § 107. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner, i.e. the media service or newspaper which first published the article online and which is indicated at the top of the article unless otherwise specified.