The Smith government has no intention of real serious conservation of our wilderness areas.
The fact they, via minister Brian Jean, enabled the reapplication for the Grassy mountain coal mine shows that very clearly.
The fact they are going to let West Fraser clearcut log the headwaters of the Highwood River shows that as well.
They are only interested in activities that produce money like fees for parks and camping.
You cannot have serious wilderness conservation with vehicular access, whether it be mountain bikes, ORVs like ATVs, or 4x4 trucks.
There needs to be areas that are only for foot traffic like hiking or horses.
As well there needs to be large areas free of all resource and commercial development.
And your statement that parks and recreation areas should be available to all residents and visitors regardless of financial or economic status is not realistic.
There are some mobility issues and responsibility issues that must be considered.
A large portion of our wildfires originate in these areas due to irresponsible campers.
There are people that should never be allowed into the wilderness areas no matter how much money they have or don't have.
Like the idiots that cause the bear jams -- and as I saw on my trip to B.C. last week a goat jam -- with a line of poorly parked cars causing potential traffic accidents and people getting injured.
There needs to be some real common good sense applied to both recreation and wilderness areas in our parks and unfortunately that's one thing the Smith government seems to be shy of.
Darrel Florence,
Cremona
