The Ghost Public Lands have been in the news frequently over the past year. The Ghost Valley is a critical watershed upstream of major population centres in a flood and drought-prone landscape.
The Ghost Valley watershed has an important job to do: collecting precipitation runoff, storing it in wetlands, removing impurities as water filters through riparian vegetation and shallow aquifers, then gradually releasing this water into the Bow River for use by 1.6 million people and three irrigation districts downstream. Storage of water in wetlands and shallow aquifers mitigates flooding, of vital concern to everyone. But there is a problem.
The Ghost Valley has become a playground for thousands of recreationalists. Random camping typically occurs in riparian areas next to waterways. Off Highway Vehicles (OHVs) travel everywhere, sometimes on designated trails, but often in creeks and wetlands.
Previous provincial governments seemed to barely manage the area, but the current government may do better. Here are some suggestions:
· Locate camping in properly managed campgrounds with pump-out toilets, fire pits, garbage bins and shelters.
· Restrict OHVs from areas damaged by heavy use.
· Study whether OHV use is consistent with watershed functions required by 1.6 million people downstream.
This land will care for us as long as we care for it. It’s time we started caring.
Hugh Pepper
