In an ongoing effort to provide clarity and education to residents of the Pipestone Creek area, the County of Wetaskiwin recently hosted a community information and grievance meeting regarding the use of off highway vehicles on private, public and crown land.
Assistant CAO Rod Hawken opened the meeting, Nov. 24, stating it was originally created for landowners to discuss private land issues with the county. However, due to an “overwhelming” response the focus was broadened to include a more educational component.
“The creek is there for public use in the winter,” said Hawken. He explained issues of where public land ends, private land begins and how the riparian area comes into the equation.
Robert Shorten, land management specialist with Alberta Environment and Parks, spoke to the Public Land Acts and what legislation says regarding the use of beds, lakes and shores.
“The Public Lands Act states that all of the beds and shores of naturally occurring, permanent waterbodies are crown land,” said Shorten.
He added, in relation to the use of the beds and shores, no person other than an employee, agent or contractor of the Government of Alberta, carrying out their duties, can occupy vacant public land that is a bed or shore of the natural, permanent waterbody. “Otherwise you need permission or a disposition from the department of Environment and Parks.”
Shorten says a question he is commonly asked is to identify the bed and shore of a waterbody — the most common and usual waterline, marking a distinct change in vegetation.
Shorten also addressed how private land and the creek interact; the landowners own rights to the bank, unless the county puts a municipal reserve on the land along the creek. Video by Stu Salkeld
