Castle Wilderness

Commercial Development

Surface disturbances such as roadways caused by industrial activities may be rehabilitated. History has proven that once residential and commercial housing developments are in place its presence will always be felt. In 1993, a major expansion of an existing commercial downhill ski operation in the West Castle valley was proposed. While the Alberta government rejected this proposal, piecemeal development of resort homes is being allowed in the core of the Castle Wilderness.

Castle Mountain Resort Inc. proposes in its Area Structure Plan to increase the existing 88 housing units to a total of 225 units. If this housing development goes ahead, wildlife such as bears and wolves may disappear from the area. Their larger movement patterns will likely be disrupted, posing a threat to their regional populations.

The West Castle River is an important source of clean drinking water for communities, for ranching and urban centres east of the Castle Wilderness. This housing development and the associated sewage lagoons will be located very close to this river and present an unacceptable risk to this critical source of drinking water.

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