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Master plan needs to be tough on ATVs

I haven't picked up a copy yet, but I know what I'm going to be looking for when I take a look at the River Valley Master Plan recently available for public consumption.

I haven't picked up a copy yet, but I know what I'm going to be looking for when I take a look at the River Valley Master Plan recently available for public consumption.

The revamped plan is said to be based on tenants of conservation and resource management.

I'll be scanning the pages of the document to see if there has been any concrete strategy put forward to protect the valley from quad runners. It's actually far too late for some areas of the valley the plan is designed to protect and develop. All one has to do is walk over the hill beside Eiling Kramer Campground in Battleford, near the Wandering Spirit grave site, to see the damage these ATVs do. What used to be a pleasurable toboggan run, and an enjoyable route to walk, is now two deep, difficult to navigate gouges running over the hill into the Flats. The sandy area at the top of the rise is almost completely devoid of vegetation. This an area of native prairie grasses and other flora.

Every evening ATV riders can be seen blatantly driving down the streets and the alleys as they use the route to access the Flats. These vehicles have been seen carving up the grass around the Flats ball diamonds and soccer pitch. That damage is actually minimal when compared to the deep gouges worn into the hillside and the horrendous damage done to the area of bush directly beside the river.

Yes, I'm looking for some kind of death to quads statement in the master plan, but I doubt I will find it.