Red Deer River Project
Addressing the serious challenges that face Alberta’s fisheries and watersheds begins by managing these resources in a more sustainable way. We are proposing a new, innovative way to manage these watersheds. What follows is a proposed pilot project to be carried out on the Red Deer River (from here on referred to as RDR).
Project Goals:
- To improve the quality and consistency of the angling experience on the RDR
- To drastically reduce rampant illegal retention on the RDR
- To act as a proof of concept; if project is a success similar projects would be carried out only on Alberta’s very best watersheds
- To raise awareness of what is and is not being done to protect and enhance the angling experience in Alberta
What We Want:
- 1 – 2 Wildlife Officers dedicated full-time to patrolling the RDR area & fining for illegal retention.
- A significant increase in fines for those caught illegally retaining on the RDR. Example: $2500 for initial offense, $1,000 per fish illegally retained within the project area.
- 100% of fine revenues generated from the RDR water body directed immediately back into mitigation and restoration of the RDR. Currently, fines accumulated do not go directly into restoring the loss of wild fish genetics or population losses. Instead, most fines are distributed between the Alberta Conservation Association or elsewhere (ie: Ducks Unlimited, research funding for the U of A, etc.)
- The construction of a small enhancement building just below the Dixon Dam to be used circumstantially for balanced enhancement; sustaining the river’s fish populations and mitigating the ill-effects of floods, over-fishing, pollution and other threats to the health of the river.
A New Funding Model:
Rather than rely on government spending and the inadequate budgets of the SRD, we propose a combination of commercial investment (already pledged by the private sector), fine revenues (mentioned previously) and a new “stamp” program.
The Stamp Program & Tagging Process
The stamp program consists of three kinds of “stamps” to be sold to anglers, fishermen. 100% of the revenue for these stamps would be directed to sustaining and improving the RDR.
- Resource Stamps – $2,500/yr for Outfitters, $1,000/yr for guides, $15/yr for floaters/watercraft: Sold to outfitters and guides in exchange for the right conduct out trips and tours on the RDR. This once-yearly fee would encourage the most accomplished, dedicated and qualified guides to conduct business on the river and discourage those individuals from out of province and casual guides from guiding on the project area, ensuring a quality experience for the local angler and a top notch experience for tourists.
- Conservation Stamps – $20/year: Implemented to ensure the angler and tourist that participates in angling the river is assured a consistent, high quality experience. Anglers would be required to purchase this stamp in order to participate in the fishery.
- Tags – A specified amount of tags would be implemented allowing the angler to retain one trophy size rainbow or brown trout at $25/yr or one Walleye over 20″ for $20/yr. The number of tags released yearly would be limited to a reasonable and sustainable number, with anglers able to purchase more than one tag.
We Need YOU!
After 30 years of advocating for this pilot project, we’ve received both support and pledges for funding from anglers, the business community and concerned citizens of Alberta. The governing bodies have repeatedly stood in the way as our only obstacle; we must motivate them to act.
Feedback, Questions or Concerns? Let Us Know!
We need your opinions and feedback! Please contact us to find out more about this exciting pilot project.