MOTORIZED RECREATION ALONG WESTSIDE ROAD BC

Whether it’s a walk in the park, a hearty hike through pine-scented forest, an afternoon ride through open grasslands or a snowy ride over a frozen landscape, it’s the trail that is key to the exercise.

With its hills and valleys, mountains and lakes, streams and ocean, B.C. has the landscape to be a mecca for those who love the outdoors.

Some people have already discovered that.

That’s led to the occasional controversy over the multi-use nature of many trails in the province, particularly between motorized and non-motorized users. It’s also led to over-use of some trails, and issues with maintenance of trails.

And then, there are forest service roads, now called resource roads, which often are the only access to wilderness trails. Many have been “deactivated” in recent years.

It’s been discussed for more than 30 years, but finally efforts are coming together to create a sustainable network of trails throughout B.C.—one that recognizes these issues and has a plan for dealing with them.

Public comment is now being invited on a detailed strategy for the province’s trails with the vision of creating a “world-renowned network of sustainable trails, accessible to all, which fosters social, cultural, health, economic and environmental benefits for trails user, communities and the province.”

That’s from the 48-page draft document resulting from meetings the last two years between representatives of the full range of trail users, the trail owners and managers and First Nations.

Chairman of the Trails Strategy Committee, John Hawkings, is very happy with the report, which he says is a “broad strategic plan.”

That plan is now available online and is being discussed at public meetings, but none of those are in Kelowna.

Those interested have until the end of January to submit comments on the strategy. That feedback will be discussed by the committee members who will decide on alterations to the document before it’s finalized.

Hawkings, who is also regional manager for the recreation sites and trails branch in the B.C. Tourism, Culture and the Arts Ministry, is optimistic the final document will be available this summer and expects to begin implementing it immediately.

Kelowna consultant Blair Baldwin, of Pinnacle Consulting and one of the report’s authors, says it feels as if “we’re finally getting somewhere.”

He says a basis for the plan is that “trails are for everybody, but not every trail is for everyone.”

In the strategy, a trail is defined as a path or route solely or partly used for one or more recreation functions.

It’s estimated there are more than 30,000 kilometres of trails in the province, but many are not authorized and there’s no consistent record of them.

Of those that are official, 9,000 km are municipal, 1,000 km are regional, 2,000 km are rail trails managed by various agencies, 9,000 km are recreation trails managed by MTCA, 7,000 are managed by B.C. Parks and 1,000 km are national park trails.

There are also a lot of trails on private land.

Baldwin estimates there dare also about 100,000 km of abandoned resource roads in the province, some of which have some potential as trails.

Most trails are used for walking, hiking and cycling—by far the most popular recreational activities in North America—with horseback riding, snowmobiling and off-road vehicle use on some trails as well.

The strategy includes both long-term and short-term objectives, and 17 “action” items, (see sidebar below) including three for implementation of the strategy: Establishing a provincial trail advisory body to provide advice on implementation of the strategy and the B.C. Trail Program; encouraging formation of local or regional trail committees; and developiing an implementation plan, including timelines and responsibilities.

Hawkings noted that collaboration and partnerships are important for the plan to be successful.

To read the complete document and submit comments, go to: www.tca.gov.bc.ca/sites_trails/

A North Okanagan provincial park is getting a financial boost.
The Central Okanagan Regional District is supporting an application for $4,300 in community tourism funding for the Friends of Fintry Society. If approved, the money will go towards an information kiosk at Fintry Provincial Park, as well as travelling exhibit.
Directors are also supporting an application for $25,900 to the Okanagan Trail Riders Association to prepare and install directional signs for the designated Bear Creek Recreation site and trail system for motorized vehicles.
In other CORD news, Marilyn Rilkoff will begin duties as the new director of finance starting August 1, 2008.
Rilkoff is a certified management account and has been deputy treasurer of the regional district since the fall of 2001.
The board also recently received the 2007 financial statement and reports.
CORD had total revenues of $90.1 million and expenditures of $64.1 million during the year.
After debt repayments, new debt and fund transfers, the regional district ended the year with an operating fund surplus of $7.6 million.
The 2007 financial report includes remuneration and expenses for elected officials and 26 staff earning more than $75,000.

$15,900 in funding would go the Okanagan Trail Riders Association to prepare and install directional signage for the designated Bear Creek Recreation Site and trail system for motorized vehicles.

Development Services report dated January 22, 2008 outlined the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) initiative grants for 2008. It was noted that OBWB will priortize the applications for approval and that the grant applications exceed the funds available.

Concern was expressed regarding the Okanagan Trail Riders Association and whether support should be provided for this grant application. It was noted that the Association received approximately $270,000 from the Province last year and the question was raised how these funds have been spent. The impact to the watershed is a direct result of trail riders - it is understood that the damage may have been caused by riders not part of this Association. It was noted the Association is trying to manage the area and repair damage caused by others. The question was raised whether the Lakeview Irrigation District supports their application. It was not known. It was also stated that the Association should be looking for funds from other sources including the Province.
#16/08 REID/BAKER
THAT the Regional Board endorse the following applications from the Regional District of Central Okanagan and from community associations for OBWB Water Conservation and Quality Improvement Grant Program, including:
- RDCO - Title delineating Kelowna/Wood Lake buried valley using seismic reflection
- RDCO - Universal Water Metering Program
- RDCO - Preliminary hydro-geological assessment in the Joe Rich area
- RDCO - in partnership with the City of Kelowna - sensitive habitat inventory mapping (south slopes, Trepanier Creek watershed area and the Brent Road area)
- South East Kelowna Irrigation District - Hydraulic Creek Source Water Protection plan
- Glenmore-Ellison Improvement District - upper Mill Creek - cattle use inventory/off channel watering study
- Glenmore-Ellison Improvement-Mill Creek source water protection plan.
- Kelowna Joint Water Committee - Phase III Groundwater Protection Planning
- Larratt Aquatic Consulting Ltd - deep Okanagan Lake biology study
AND FURTHER THAT the applications be forwarded to the Okanagan Basin Water Board for consideration.
CARRIED

#17/08 BAKER/EDGSON
THAT staff be directed to inform the Okanagan Trail Riders Association to seek funds from other sources;
AND FURTHER THAT the Association correspond with the Lakeview Irrigation District to request support of their funding applications.
CARRIED

more
http://www.okanagantrailriders.com/news/BCGovernmentPressRelease.pdf