ATHABASCA — Residents concerned about Athabasca County’s recent decision to approve the proposed connection of the Great Canadian Snowmobile Trail — pending provincial approval — submitted letters to council expressing hesitation and seeking answers.
Council reviewed two letters of concern from residents and landowners along the proposed route at its Sept. 28 meeting.
The letters come after the Sept. 12 decision to give the Alberta Snowmobile Association (ASA) the green light to ride on provincial one-, two-,and three-digit highway right of ways on a trial basis, on the condition the route is also approved by Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors.
“I really appreciate when we have members of the public that write in, I think that’s amazing to see,” said Holland.
The letters both focused on the section of the trail along Township Road 660, also known as Paxson Road. Both letters indicate snowmobilers would be forced to ride on the road in order to cross creeks and bypass sections of ditch that are fenced to the edge of the road.
Livestock wellbeing, farmland preservation, potential for trespassing, and the high level of traffic on Township Road 660 were also sources of concern.
“The loud mufflers on the snowmobiles scare the cattle which make(s) them run on snow and ice, causing injury,” and potential loss of fetal calves, read the letter from the Haines family, which also cited negative impacts on spring crop germination after snowmobile use of farmland.
The initial decision
Council voted 5-4 to allow the trail on a trial basis at its Sept. 12 meeting, with councillors Ashtin Anderson, Camille Wallach, Natasha Kapitaniuk, and reeve Brian Hall in favour and councillors Kelly Chamzuk, Tracy Holland, Gary Cromwell, and Joe Gerlach were opposed.
“We have a group of volunteers that are willing to put their time and money into the development of something that can be amended over time as they develop and progress and improve,” said Hall during the Sept 12 meeting. “I see this as a really good first step.”
Concerns from the opposing councillors included inadequate consultation of ratepayers along the proposed route, a lack of knowledge on how an increase in traffic will impact emergency services in the area, and whether the route is in conflict with provincial transportation policy.
A motion by Cromwell to consult with ratepayers, as well as emergency services such as local fire departments, RCMP detachments, and AHS facilities in the area was defeated 5-4, with Holland, Chamzuk, Cromwell and Gerlach in favour, and Hall, Wallach, Minns, Anderson, and Kapitaniuk opposed.
“We’re elected to make decisions, and we don’t consult on every last decision,” said Hall. “The trial is good because it’s not that forever guarantee, and continuing approval is based on good, solid operation,” adding that collecting community feedback and allowing the ASA and the Athabasca River Runners Snowmobile Club to initiate the project don’t have to be mutually exclusive efforts.
“The nice thing about this is it’s a trail made of snow, it goes away every spring and can be moved if necessary,” said Hall in a Sept. 15 interview. “The snowmobile club is an experienced group of people who have an impeccable reputation and have done a lot of good work and invested a lot in the trails that already exist in the county.”
The final decision on trail approval will be up the Alberta government, but Chris Brookes, ASA executive director said in a Sept. 18 interview the organization is “ecstatic” about the county’s decision, and isn’t anticipating roadblocks from the province.
“We certainly have worked with the province many times in the past to establish and maintain trails and provincial right of ways, and we’re confident that will get the approval to do so in Athabasca County as well,” said Brookes.
