While RCMP promise not to foul Kananaskis Country, the wilderness is under assault across the land.
Re: " 'Enviro-police' set to patrol summit venue: RCMP vow to protect world leaders without trampling fragile park," Journal, May 5.
On one hand the governments, federal and provincial, make a big show to protect precious wilderness during the G-8 summit.
On the other hand in Alberta and parts of Canada there is a very poor effort to protect the wilderness.
Here in Alberta many species are threatened, for example woodland caribou, walleye, bull trout and sage grouse. Efforts to ensure protection are feeble.
It's amazing that RCMP on patrol during the G-8 summit will carry little shovels should they need to relieve themselves; orders will be to scoop it up in backpacks and carry it out.
The other extreme in Alberta is clear-cut forest harvests and oil exploration in caribou range, cattle allowed to graze all summer on Crown land in Eastern Slopes trampling trout stream banks, quads allowed to travel the forests at will leaving deep ruts in sensitive areas, and hundreds of trail riders on horses each summer cutting deep tracks in the mountains and utilizing grass on elk range. There has to be some common sense here and a proper balance to protect the wildlife and the environment.
Be careful RCMP while on patrol in June -- loose bowel movements are going to be tough to handle.
Lew Ramstead,
Stony Plain
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