Decision to Deregulate Coalspur and Lambert Creek Provincial Recreation Areas

In February 2010, Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation proposed deregulating Coalspur and Lambert Creek Provincial Recreation Areas in west central Alberta.

Coalspur Provincial Recreation Area (PRA) is a small site of 1.04 hectares located approximately 55 km southeast of Hinton and 70 km southwest of Edson. The site has eight basic camping stalls, which are little used. Coal Valley Resources Incorporated is expanding mining capacity in the immediate vicinity of Coalspur PRA which will impact the site.

Lambert Creek Provincial Recreation Area, at 2.21 hectares, is located approximately 40 km southwest of Edson. It contains a small group use site that has not received any bookings or inquiries in the past two years.

Both sites are subject to vandalism and are not considered commercially viable for private operators. Given the small size and limited natural resources of these sites, it is not considered feasible to develop new facilities for recreation or tourism.

Feedback on the proposal was gathered during a 60 day online public comment period that ended April 5, 2010. All comments were taken into consideration before a final decision was made. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback.

What We Heard

The majority of responses supported the proposed deregulation of the provincial recreation areas.

We did hear some concerns with the closure of the camping sites.

Response:

Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation has expanded and upgraded facilities at other nearby provincial recreation areas to enhance recreational opportunities in the area.
A new campground with 28 basic campsites built to accommodate large RV units has been developed at McLeod River Provincial Recreation Area. The campground was developed with funding from the Government of Alberta, Canada's Western Economic Development Fund and Hinton Wood Products (a division of West Fraser Mills Ltd.). The existing campsites at McLeod River Provincial Recreation Area have also been refurbished.
Campsites at Fairfax Lake Provincial Recreation Area were recently refurbished to accommodate large RV units. Coal Valley Mines Ltd. provided funding for the campground refurbishment.
Closure of Coalspur and Lambert Creek Provincial Recreation Areas will allow Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation to focus resources at sites with higher conservation and/or recreation value.

Resulting Decision

Order-in-Council 254/2011 was passed by Cabinet on June 15, 2011 to deregulate Coalspur and Lambert Creek Provincial Recreation Areas. The former Coalspur and Lambert Creek Provincial Recreation Areas are now vacant public lands managed by Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and camping facilities have been removed from the sites.

Further Information

Coalspur and Lambert Creek Provincial Recreation Areas Order in Council

*Disclaimer: We thank you for providing your input. Those who submit feedback will not be contacted individually regarding their submission.