Monday, September 19, 2011

Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan and Access Restrictions (CBC News)


Alberta groups want better protection for bear habitats

Posted: Sep 19, 2011 2:39 PM MT 

Last Updated: Sep 19, 2011 2:34 PM MT 


Alberta environmental groups are calling for better protection of grizzly bear habitats.
 (James Peaco/Yellowstone National Park/Associated Press)

Alberta environmental groups called on the provincial government Monday to reduce the number of roads and trails in bear habitats.

Pointing to two recent studies, the groups said the concentration of roads in some areas exceeds the province's own limits. And they say more roads means more access for the public, which is putting more pressure on the bears.

The studies looked at the Castle and Ghost wilderness areas which they said the calculated linear access densities, accessible to off highway vehicles were much higher than the thresholds recommended for grizzly bear recovery.

In the Castle watershed, identified as core grizzly bear habitat, linear access densities were double and sometimes triple the threshold, while in the Ghost watershed the access density was four times higher than the recommended threshold for non-core grizzly range.

"At these densities, an average person hiking cross-country can travel only for an hour or less before encountering a route used by some type of vehicle,” said Dianne Pachal, a spokeswoman with Sierra Club Canada’s Action Grizzly Bear.

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