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Preamble:
WHEREAS rural municipalities are responsible for protecting roads, bridges, culverts, drainage systems, and other public infrastructure from damage caused by problem wildlife; and
WHEREAS beavers, muskrats, badgers, and other wildlife can damage municipal infrastructure, obstruct drainage, contribute to flooding, create road hazards, and increase public-safety risks; and
WHEREAS drones and watercraft can allow municipal staff to inspect inaccessible areas, identify wildlife activity, assess infrastructure risks, and respond more safely and efficiently; and
WHEREAS existing wildlife legislation may restrict the use of equipment or information obtained through drones and watercraft when undertaking problem-wildlife control;
Operative Clause:
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Rural Municipalities of Alberta advocate that the Government of Alberta amend the Wildlife Act and associated regulations to allow trained and authorized municipal employees and contractors to use drones, watercraft, and information lawfully collected through those tools, subject to appropriate safety requirements when undertaking problem-wildlife control to protect municipal infrastructure;
Member Background:
Rural municipalities are responsible for managing roads, bridges, culverts, drainage systems, and other public infrastructure. Beavers, muskrats, badgers, and other wildlife can damage municipal infrastructure, obstruct drainage, contribute to flooding, create road hazards, and increase public-safety risks that rural municipalities must address to minimize risks to public safety. Furthermore, traditional inspections often require employees to enter difficult terrain or access isolated waterways.
Delayed identification of beaver dams, blocked culverts, burrows, or other wildlife activity can contribute to flooding, road washouts, infrastructure failure, emergency repairs, environmental damage, and increased municipal costs. Employees may also face safety risks when conducting inspections in remote or unstable areas.
Municipalities and Agricultural Service Boards have advocated for practical tools and regulatory flexibility to manage problem wildlife and protect public infrastructure. The increased availability of drones, remote imaging, mapping technology, and watercraft provides municipalities with safer and more efficient inspection options. However, uncertainty regarding how information obtained through these tools may be used for wildlife control limits their effectiveness.
Existing relevant legislation, including the Wildlife Act, its regulations, federal aviation requirements governing drones, privacy legislation, and applicable occupational health and safety requirements, may restrict the use of equipment or information obtained through drones and watercraft when undertaking problem-wildlife control. Legislative amendments should allow trained and authorized municipal employees and contractors to use drones, watercraft, and information lawfully collected through those tools when undertaking problem-wildlife control to protect municipal infrastructure. Amendments should also include appropriate requirements respecting training, public safety, privacy, equipment operation, documentation, and environmental protection.
RMA Background:
RMA has no active resolutions directly related to this issue.
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