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Sean Nichols, conservation specialist with the Alberta Wilderness Association, said the decision is recognition of the value of Alberta’s headwaters regions on the eastern slopes of the Rockies, and of the damage that’s caused by off-road vehicle use.

“This precedent-setting decision sends a clear signal that the public will not tolerate this kind of wanton destruction of our headwaters,” he said. “We applaud judicial decisions that help secure our vital watersheds for future generations.”

Nichols said he hopes to see similarly strong enforcement along the entire Eastern Slopes as the May long weekend approaches.

The province and police already crack down on irresponsible and rowdy behaviour by quadders, dirt bikers and mud-boggers in areas such as McLean Creek and Waiparous around this time every year, but the wilderness association would like to see it happen more consistently.

“One of the concerns is that there has been for so long so little enforcement,” he said. “The story we keep getting told is that they don’t have the resources.”

Nichols applauded the actions of the Rocky Mountain House RCMP officers in the most recent case.

According to RCMP, the problem appears to be getting worse in the area around Rocky Mountain House.

“We are having so many problems,” said Howse, noting they’ve also charged people with going on logging roads that are closed in order to protect the threatened bull trout in nearby streams and rivers. “They are destroying fish habitat.”

Photo by Courtesy: Cpl. Wayne Howse/RCMP / For the Calgary Herald

Others have been driving on provincial highways with their off-road vehicles — a $310 fine.

The RCMP corporal would like to set up a special task force to address the growing problem on Alberta’s public lands.

“We’ve put in a business case,” he said. “It would be nice to have a group of us spearheading environmental protection with the RCMP. It’s really, really important.

“People have to realize that they cannot be driving in our rivers. Yes it’s fun to go mud-bogging, but they are destroying the future of our landscape.”

cderworiz@calgaryherald.com

Twitter: cderworiz