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A large single Natural Area with two purposes, recreation and conservation, it is located adjacent to and southeast of Grand Prairie.

[FP, COMPLEX DUE TO NUMEROUS REFERENCES].

• Map of the Area
• Other Information
• Site Statistics
• References and Further Reading

Map of the Area

Any maps and map views are for general information only. Do not rely on them for navigation or to determine legal boundaries.

Other Information

The Bear River (PNT) NA sites have been under pressure for a number of decades. In 1998, a Land Use Framework analysis helped to clarify the permitted activities within them. This updated two previous plans but has not subsequently been updated [1].

• The 1978 Wapiti-Grande Prairie Sand Dunes Integrated Land Use Management Plan (Alberta Energy and Natural Resources)
•  The 1986 Bear River-Wapiti Local Integrated Resource Plan (Alberta Forestry, Lands and Wildlife)
•  The 1998 Wapiti Sand Dunes Land Use Zones (Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development)
•  The 2013 Wapiti Corridor Multi Use Plan (Wapiti Corridor Planning Society).

Unfortunately, the proximity to Grand Prairie has meant the area has been disturbed and a garbage clean-up has become a nessary annual event [2].

Creek or a River? In 1854, the Fort Dunvegan HBC post referred to this watercourse as a river. The Geological Survey of Canada called it a creek as did local residents [3]. No matter its designation, it soon empties into the Wapiti River on that river’s way to the Peace River further north [4].

Site Statistics

Site Name	Bear River (PNT-Con)
Site Type	Natural Area
Subtype	Protective Notation (PNT)
Natural Region(s)	Dry Mixedwood
O.C. No. (Land Ref. Manual)	N/A
PASite ID (Map Ref #)	328
Site # (Parks Website)	N/A
Total Area	4741.47 ha. (11716.42 ac.)
Steward-Status
Recreation Activities
IUCN
Operated By
Notes and Comments	FID 123, Conservation; also called (Wapiti Sand Dunes)

Site Name	Bear River (PNT-Rec)
Site Type	Natural Area
Subtype	Protective Notation (PNT)
Natural Region(s)	Dry Mixedwood
O.C. No. (Land Ref. Manual)	N/A
PASite ID (Map Ref #)	328
Site # (Parks Website)	N/A
Total Area	2472.33 ha. (6109.25 ac.)
Steward-Status
Recreation Activities
IUCN
Operated By
Notes and Comments	FID 122, Recreation; also called (Wapiti Sand Dunes)

References

The following links are provided as a courtesy but are not verified or endorsed by SAPAA. Clicking on the link will cause you to leave the SAPAA website. Primary source of information is: Government of Alberta – [LINK] (All links accessed on 2023-01-DD).

1. County of Grande Prairie 2015-2040, p. 3.
2. Alberta stewardship stories : the ‘Dunes’ : taking a stand for our land – Open Government
3. Aubrey, Merrily K., ed. Concise Place Names of Alberta. Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 2006, p. 22.
4. Wapiti River – Wikipedia

Further Reading

• Wapiti Sand Dunes, Land Use Zones, 1998; Government of Alberta

Editing, Review and Silence Procedure

1. FRANK: Publish page
2. HUBERT/PATSY: Assign page for editing by update tbd in the Title (4-
3. Review for readability and alignment to SAPAA organizational reputation.
4. Best available image
5. Review for accuracy including:
   1. Correct map and site statistics
   2. Area size is correct
   3. Standards (e.g. use of hyphens, spelling, etc.)
   4. References are accessible and and notes match
6. Review for formatting, e.g.: Centered captions, No empty blocks
7. TEAM: Last walk through
   1. Any final discussion or notes
   2. Remove [name] from title
   3. Add to log book for silence procedure
   4. Delete these notes.