The Federation of Mountain Clubs
of British Columbia
August 2018 NEWSLETTER
| Singing Pass - July 27, 2018 meeting documents On July 27th, a Singing Pass meeting was held in Whistler with representatives from the Ministry of Environment, BC Parks, FLNRORD, Whistler Blackcomb, Innergex, Whistler Sliding Centre, Resort Municipality of Whistler, FMCBC, ORC, BCMC, ACC-Whistler, Spearhead Huts, and Rec Sites and Trails BC. Here are several documents that came out of that meeting: | Forest Practices Board Special Report  The Forest Practices Board (FPB) is creating a Special Report on the Management of Forest Recreation under the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA). The goal of the report is to identify issues with the FRPA framework concerning forest recreation. And, to identify ways that recreationists can collaborate with each other and the forest industry to minimize conflict and, if possible, enhance the recreational experience.
The FPB conducted interviews with stakeholders this summer, including the FMCBC, and requested feedback on a number of topics. Here's the letter from the FMCBC that addresses forest recreation values under FRPA. And, here's a great letter on the subject written by Judy Carlson on behalf of the Alberni Valley Outdoor Club. | Letter of support for Nickel Plate Nordic Ski Cluh  For several years, the Nickel Plate Nordic Ski Club has been carrying on a conversation with local forestry firms and FLNRORD to resolve current use and future harvesting plans. To date there has been little progress. There is real significance to tree retention in this area as removal will affect the recreational attributes that are important to so many.
Click here to read our letter of support for Nickel Plate, who has worked hard to create a sound proposal to expand the existing Nickel Plate Provincial Park to include Nickel Plate Nordic, as well as some of the other more sensitive lands. | Hike & Bike Event  On Sept. 15th, join Friends of Rails to Trails Vancouver Island (FORT-VI) and the Vancouver Island Trail Association at Shawnigan Wharf Park to learn about the concept of converting the E&N rail corridor into a multi-use, non-motorized recreation trail. Check out information panels to learn about the history and dilemma of the rail track known as the E&N corridor, and hear what Cowichan Valley candidates running in the Oct. 20th election have to say about rails and trails. There will also be live music, free soft drinks, and prizes!
Learn more about the event at: fortvi.ca. Also, you can read the FMCBC's Letter of Support for FORT-VI here. | A call for Cloudburst submissions  It's that time of year again! Summer is winding down, and that means it's time to look back on the adventures you had, the snapshots you took, the books you read, and the issues you discovered to be near and dear to your heart.
If you have something to share, we're looking for submissions, including wintry cover photos, for the Fall/Winter 2018 issue of Cloudburst. Please email your submissions to stacey.santos@mountainclubs.org no later than October 1st. | Budget 2019 Consultation Each fall, the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services conducts an annual consultation which includes visiting communities across BC to collect input from British Columbians on the next provincial budget. All British Columbians are invited to participate by speaking with the Committee at a public hearing, making a written, audio, or video submission, or completing an online survey. Online registration for public hearings will open on Friday, September 7 at 9:00 am (teleconference opportunities may also be available upon request), and there will be an open mic period at each public hearing as well. The opportunity to make a written, audio, or video submission and fill out the survey will be available on Monday, September 17. The deadline for all public input is Monday, October 15 at 5:00 pm. More information, including public hearing locations/dates, can be found on the Committee's Budget 2019 Consultation website. Bridal Falls Gondola Application
The public comment period is now open for an application that involves accessing and conducting studies on Crown Land to assess the feasibility of the construction of a multi-passenger gondola project above Bridal Falls.
After investigations are complete, the proposed project, if approved, would involve the construction of a multi-passenger gondola to access the sub-alpine and alpine region above Bridal Falls and associated amenities. The Gondola Project would include both base and summit area amenities and a network of summit trails. The comment period closes on Oct. 5th. Click here to view the application. You can also read a recent Vancouver Sun article and listen to CBC Radio coverage of the issue (skip ahead to 1:30:10). UBCM tourism/recreation resolutions The following resolutions, which are of interest to FMCBC members and supporters, are being proposed at next month’s Union of BC Municipalities, an annual gathering of municipal politicians from across the province: B72 Backcountry Tourism (Pemberton)
Therefore be it resolved that the Province be requested to match the investment made in their Tourism Marketing with a commensurate investment in infrastructure, maintenance, enforcement, and staffing to assistant in mitigating the resulting challenges of increased visitor volumes at local Provincial parks and other backcountry areas;
And be it further resolved that a trail booking and reservation system fee structure be developed to mitigate day-today impacts to the natural environment. B45 Increased Visits to Provincial Recreation Areas (Squamish-Lillooet RD) Be is resolved that the Province: - commensurate with the increased number of visits being driven by provincial tourism marketing strategies, provide additional funding to increase staffing, maintenance and enforcement operations in respect of existing Provincial Recreation Assets; and
- investigate the development and addition of new recreation assets to the existing inventory of Provincial Recreation Assets (such that the increased number of visits may be spread over a larger inventory of Provincial Recreation Assets).
Full wording can be found in the 2018 UBCM Annual Report & Resolutions (PDF). | Kayaking among glaciers draws faraway tourists to B.C. backcountry - Vancouver Star, July 27, 2018 Reconciliation and the ‘Right to Roam’ - The Tyee, August 2, 2018 B.C. environment minister told to kick logging trucks out of Manning Park or face court action - Wilderness Committee, August 2, 2018 Nature Conservancy of Canada asks Canadians to help stop the spread of invasive species through summer recreational activities - Nature Conservancy Canada, August 4, 2018 Canada, B.C. need action to protect biodiversity - Whistler Pique, August 13, 2018 How climate change is making B.C.’s wildfire season hotter, longer, drier - The Narwhal, August 13, 2018 B.C. government agency responsible for logging rare old-growth forests - The Narwhal, August 13, 2018 Provincial state of emergency declared - BC Gov News, August 15, 2018 Logging in Upper Skagit River watershed put on hold as Seattle has ‘grave concern’ - Seattle Times, August 16, 2018 Seattle mayor pressures Premier Horgan for 'immediate halt' to logging near Canada-U.S. border - Vancouver Sun, August 17, 2018 Hiking reservations pitched for B.C. parks in danger of being 'loved to death' - Vancouver Sun, August 23, 2018 Sea to Sky-style gondola floated for mountains above Bridal Falls in Chilliwack - Vancouver Sun, August 24, 2018 As review of public access nears, Banff National Park needs holiday from humans, says conservationists - Edmonton Journal, August 27, 2018 Expand parks, restore funding to ease congestion in B.C.'s outdoors, Green Party leader says - CBC News, August 29, 2018 | BC's 2018 wildfire season is now the worst ever, burning more than 12,984 square kilometres of land so far. For a full list of BC provincial parks, protected areas, and ecological reserves affected by 2018 wildfire activity, click here. Meet the people building the Spearhead Huts in this article from the Whistler Pique. A recent episode of CBC Radio's On the Coast featured Steve Jones, outdoor blogger and advocate for responsible practices in the backcountry. As you'll hear, abuse of the Garibaldi Park permit system is "rampant"--users are abusing the permit system and camping outside of permitted areas. Skip ahead to 1:27:13 for the interview. And for some background, check out Steve's blog post on the issue. Green Party leader Andrew Weaver was also on CBC Radio, speaking about overcrowding in BC's parks and touching on the topic of Right to Roam. Skip ahead to 19:20 for the interview. And, George Heyman also appeared on CBC Radio this month, also speaking about the issue of overcrowing in BC's parks. The interview starts at 21:30. After 2 months and 877 km of hiking, Isobel Glover became the first person to hike the length of Vancouver Island via the VI Spine Trail and the first woman to traverse the island entirely on foot. Re-live the journey on her Facebook Page. Do you have any information, stories, or photos of Elfrida Pigou? Brian Cooles is interested in writing a historical biography of Elfrida and has already interviewed several people who knew and climbed with her. Brian’s in regular contact with Elfrida’s niece, who stands behind the project and is also contributing to it. If you have anything to contribute, you can get in touch with Brian at bcooles@hotmail.com or (250) 551-4555. For a bit more about Elfrida, check out our Facebook post. Kevin Valley presents Rowing the Northwest Passage - Saturday, September 8 | 7:30pm-8:30pm at the Lynn Valley Library in North Vancouver. Through the gripping true story of his attempt to traverse the Northwest Passage by rowboat, Vallely provides a fascinating look at one of the most rapidly changing landscapes on earth—the high Arctic—and a passionate plea about the growing urgency of climate change. Info and registration details. The ACC's Abbot Pass Hut is currently closed for site and safety assessment due to a slide on the north side. Reservations are unfortunately cancelled at this time and new bookings are closed until further notice. See their Facebook Page for updates and more information. | Thanks to Janie Laundry of the Caledonia Ramblers for this month's feature photo. The picture was taken on July 1st, 2018 while on a Ramblers hike in Monkman Provincial Park, on the trail to the rear of Kinuseo Falls.
| Click here to view our Spring/Summer 2018 issue of Cloudburst. Use our online form to report motorized recreation observed within BC Park boundaries.
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