Premier to announce historic rangeland

Premier Ed Stelmach willformally announce the creation of a heritage rangeland on Saturday, setting aside more than 4,000 hectares of grassland in southern Alberta.

The land, west of Longview, is public property currently leased to the historic OH Ranch, one of the province's oldest working ranches.

Stelmachis set to announce the designation on Saturday at the ranch, along with ownerDaryl (Doc) Seaman.

Theswath ofgrasslandwill be named the OH Ranch Heritage Rangeland.

The designation doesn't mean many real changes. The rangeland will continue to be managed by the OH Ranch.

The public will still be able to use the grasslands for fishing, horseback riding, hunting and hiking, provided they first contact the ranch for permission. But no motorized vehicles will be allowed and surface oil or gas drilling will be banned.

On Saturday, Seaman, a Calgary oilman who helped bring the Flames to the city, will also announce plans to place his property and ranching lands in Bassano and Dorothy under a voluntary conservation easement, the Calgary Herald is reporting.

The OH Ranch, founded in 1883, was originally called the Rio Alta Ranch. It has changed hands many times. Pat Burns, one of the founders of the Calgary Stampede, bought the ranch in 1918. Seaman took over the ranch and the OH brand in 1987.