https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-RB9SNol-6eNzhTbGZpZmQ0VGM
As usual please follow the link above the the December 2016 CRAG meeting minutes. There is a lot of information to digest from this last meeting so PLEEESE take a few moments and read then comment
Of particular interest for DSBC is the Tamihi Kids Loop, although in the minutes they refer to the Section 56s and 57s (permits and permission to do stuff on crown land) as a "Backlog" The real reason, it seems someone at some government office has lost all the applications, something like 20. We at DSBC are not happy, we have put 1000s of dollars and more importantly 1000s of volunteer hours into this project, only to be told 2 years down the road that we have to start again. Its not only DSBC but also Blue Mtn, TCT and the Mtn bikers that have been told this same story.
There is also a bunch of other stuff that should interest just about anyone who ventures off of the paved road
Below is a copy and past of the same minutes
*****************************************************************************************************************************
Chilliwack Recreation Advisory Group Meeting Notes from December 5, 2016
(Chilliwack Resource District Office on Airport Road in Chilliwack)
Attending: Tom Blackbird (Chilliwack Resource District Recreation Officer), Cathy Ross (Chilliwack Resource District Recreation Technician), Ted Bangma (Palm Tree Septic Tank Service), Collin Bangma (Palm Tree Septic Tank Services), Nancy Spratt (Horse Council BC), Karen Black (Right Nuts ATV Club), John Coles (Bear Mountain Trail Society), Ray Keller (Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club), Neil Hawkings (Dual Sport BC), Ryan Thom (Blue Mtn Motorcycle Club), Doug Storozinski (Chilliwack River Valley Cavers), Meghan Jackson (Fraser Valley Regional District Parks), Karin Smith (Back Country Horsemen BC), Ted Blow (Pacific NorthWest Motorcycle Association), Doug Young (Blue Mountain Motorcycle Club), John McCauley (Yarrow Waterworks District) Rose Schroeder (Back County Horsemen BC), Brian Romak (Chilliwack Snowmobile Club), Mike Overhoff (Dual Sport BC), Ken Hurley (Chilliwack Outdoor Club), Donna Elias (Back Country Horsemen BC), Dwight Harris (Greater Vancourve Motorcycle Club), Peter Friesen (Dual Sport BC)
Abbreviations:
AIA – Archeological Impact Assessment
CFD – Chilliwack Forest Dist
CO - Conservation Officer
DRO - District Recreation Officer
EIA – Environmental Impact Assessment
FRR – Forest Recreation Regulation
FSP – Forest Service Plan
FSR - Forest Service Road
FVRD – Fraser Valley Regional Dist
NRO - Natural Resource Office
NSR - Not Satisfactorily Restocked
RSTBC - Recreation Sites & Trails
Branch of the Ministry of Forests, Lands
& Natural Resource Operations (FLNRO)
RT - Recreation Technician
SEEC – Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission
WHA - Wildlife Habitat Area
4WDABC – 4 Wheel Drive Assoc of BC
ATVBC – Quad Riders Assoc of BC
BCHBC – Back Country Horsemen of BC
BCORMA – BC Off-road Motorcycle Assoc
BCSF – BC Speleological Federation
BCWF – BC Wildlife Federation
BMMC – Blue Mtn Motorcycle Club
BMTS – Bear Mtn Trails Society
CKBC – Canoe Kayak BC
COC – Chilliwack Outdoor Club
CSC – Chilliwack Snowmobile Club
CVRA – Chwk Valley Ratepayers Assoc
DSBC – Dual Sport BC
FMC – Federation of Mtn Clubs
FVMBA – Fraser Valley Mtn Bike Assoc
GVMC – Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club
HCBC – Horse Council of BC
HPAC – Hangliding and Paragliding Assoc
LMATV – Lower Mainland ATV
NHT – National Hiking Trail
ORC – Outdoor Recreation Council of BC
ORV – Off Road Vehicle
RNATV – Right Nuts ATV Club
SWATT – Southwestern All Terrain Trails Assoc
TBC – Trails BC
TCT – Trans Canada Trail
VKC – Vancouver Kayak Club
VTR – Valley Trail Riders
WCSC – West Coast Soaring Club
YWD – Yarrow Waterworks District
Meeting start: 6:50 p.m. Chaired by Tom Blackbird (RSTBC, CFD, DRO)
Additional Agenda Topics:
12. Teal Jones Forest Stewardship Plan
13. Leon Lebrun’s letter to the Outdoor Recreation Council re: motorized use of the Trans Canada Trail
14. Land Management Plan for the Chilliwack River Valley
15. Chilliwack Search & Rescue
1. Provincial Meeting Update – Tom and Cathy reported on the recent announcement by Christy Clark re: planning for
recreation. Check the “Planning our Future document” on BCParks website http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/future/
5-year plan for BCParks and 3-year plan for RSTBC: 1900 more campsites, 800 in BCParks and 1100 RSTBC. The
800 in BCParks will be spread over the province. The 1100 allotted to RSTBC will go to high use areas: 350 in the
Chwk Forest District. The Treasury Board has not announced approval of this as of yet.
Campsite expansion links -
http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/premier-announces-1900-new-b-c-park-campsites
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-parks-campsites-1.3871546
Other Issues discussed:
- Chwk may get 1 extra staff person to share with Squamish.
- road should be part of the expansion package as for some sites access is non-maintained FSRs.
- signage: working group to develop new wording around the definition of a “commuter vehicle”. Identified, discussed
and analyzed the problems associated with the definition of a commuter motor vehicle. The current RST vehicle
policy is stated as; “Maximum one vehicle per party unless the vehicle is towed or is a commuter vehicle. A
commuter vehicle is any vehicle from the same residence as the first vehicle. All other vehicles require a payment of
an additional camping permit fee. Vehicles must be kept on existing roads, parking areas and campsites.”
Options discussed: At the time when the Forest Recreation Regulations are next amended, remove the reference to “commuter motor vehicle”
and clarify that a party may include an additional non-camping motor vehicle (other than a motorcycle), including a
towed motor vehicle. Consideration may be given to amending the FRR definition of a ‘motor vehicle’ to exclude
camping trailers and remove family from the definition of ‘party’ and align with BC Park’s definition of ‘party’ which is
based on a maximum of 8 persons but no more than 4 adults will add a limit to the number of persons on a campsite
and clarify that only one camping vehicle per party may be parked on a campsite.
- designated ORV Play areas are starting to be developed across the province. Bear Creek Recreation Site & ORV
Play Area - An example of a collaborative approach to managed recreation in a community watershed in the
Okanagan Shuswap district between Recreation Sites and Trails BC and the Okanagan Trail Riders:
http://www.okanagantrailriders.com/news/ Protection of Drinking Water in Community Watersheds Examined https://www.bcfpb.ca/news-resources...drinking-water-community-watersheds-examined/
- NRO Officers spoke on the “Big C, Little E” meaning more Compliance and less Enforcement focusing on issues
around water and fire. Will find out sometime Mar/Apr 2017 how many NROs and RCMP there will be.
2. Chilliwack District News
- Vedder cost updates: wrapped up invoices for costs associated with road improvements ($8500.00 mostly for
machine time repairing trails). Engineering Dept putting in for a Capital project in association with the possible Rec
Site on Vedder.
- Mike Peters is back in the office and will be full time Jan 1, 2017. Tom will ask if he would be a speaker at one of
our future meetings.
3. Mt. Slesse Memorial Trail: new bridge is being used but the road is washing out again and will likely need repairs
next year. There have been some requests to put a toilet in along the trail. RSTBC trying to decide where is best.
Discussion on the abuse of toilets in the valley, the cost of emptying and clean up, repairs, replacement. Budget will
dictate these decisions somewhat.
4. Harrison Fire Lookout – contractor reviewed and suggested that the whole structure is failing. RSTBC is considering rebuilding from ground up. Need at the moment is for a group or individual to source materials and costs.
Roofing materials have already been acquired and RSTBC has the plans. Option to prefab and fly in or fly in raw materials and build on site. Site is not vehicle accessible.
If there is an individual or group interested contact [email protected] 604-702-5762
5. 56 & 57 Applications and Process – Cathy Ross reported on a plan that has been developed to help process the
backlog of applications:
- invested groups will be invited to attend a presentation/meeting regarding the authorization process
- The Recreation Technician will give a PowerPoint presentation on the application process and requirements.
- A representative from each group in attendance will be requested to give a 5-minute briefing as to who they are
and where they are in the process.
- Each attending group will then have the opportunity to schedule a 45-minute meeting with the RT to discuss their
application.
- following this; applications will then be prioritized and processed.
- reminder to keep a copy of anything you are submitting in the process.
- auditors are welcome at the January 22 meeting
Section 57/56 Authorization presentation/meeting - 10:00 am Sunday January 22nd, at the Ministry Offices 46360 Airport Road Chilliwack BC. A presentation will be made by Recreation Technician Cathy Ross. One representative from each organization attending will be expected to provide a brief introduction that is NOT MORE THAN 5 MINUTES in duration and use the following guidelines:
1. State the name of organization, the date established, number of members, social media platforms.
2. Current funding sources, nonprofit status, grants, donations.
3. Provide a brief description and location of the trail, trail network and/or recreation site for which a Section 57/56
is being sought.
4. Provide a timeline and/or outline of where the organization currently ‘thinks’ their application is in the approval process.
Contact Cathy Ross to register your group [email protected]
6. Wet Weather Trail Use Policy – inspections have been done and there is growing concern over recreational and commercial activities in alpine areas and areas where the environment suffers damage due to wet conditions. Discussion points:
- RSTBC currently has no policy for motorized use in alpine areas.
- do any of the CRAG groups have a written policy? If groups had a policy it would help RSTBC defend their position on
trail use as well as liability issues.
- suggestion that groups should have a policy that includes shutting trails or portions thereof that will have a negative
impact on the environment when conditions are wet.
- of particular concern are trails with stream crossings (siltation issues)
- from the beginning of October until the end of March is a critical time for fish.
- educating members on this issue will create responsible users and avoid conflicts.
- decisions on who closes the trail is a partnership. RSTBC would like to trust groups to make responsible decisions
about closing trails.
Wet Weather Trail Riding Policy examples can be found at: http://cairnsmtb.com/wet-weather-trail-riding-policy/ and http://www.millstonetrails.com/trail-closure-policy/
7. FVRD Road Bylaw Update – discussions have wrapped up. No word yet when the new bylaw will take effect.
Tom B will advise when it is announced. Anyone with a badge will play a part in enforcement.
- no shooting 400 meters from center line.
- will be on 400 FSRs in the CFD.
8. Hemlock Update – Work in progress: currently 7 months into a 2 year window to develop a Recreation Management
Plan. A map has been circulated for comments due Dec 15, 2016. Trying to identify which roads will be left as trails.
Tom B will have the map at the next meeting.
9. Blue Mountain – in progress. Still needing to move a gate. There was discussion on logging in the area and
protecting the trails. Concern regarding a lock to the gate that has been changed without notice. Cost for keys is
extraordinary. The need for a new lock is endorsed by Blue Mtn Motorcycle Club but the process was flawed. It is a
safety issue if someone gets hurt behind a locked gate and no one has a key.
10. Skagit and SEEC – Cathy will be doing a presentation to SEEC about recreation interests in the Skagit River Valley.
If anyone has anything of interest to share please contact Cathy [email protected]
11. Stave West Update – will have Gene McInnes come give an update in early 2017.
12. Teal Jones FSP – recreation is recognized in the plan but trails are not layered onto it so difficult to comment on
impacts. Colors of different layers are negligible making it difficult to use. Concern why BC Timber Sales is not
sharing the trails info the CRAG groups submitted?
13. Trails BC letter to ORC – re: motorized use on the TCT, particularly the KVR (Kettle Valley Railway).
14. Land Management Plan for the Chilliwack River Valley – who does it? Suggestion: not the City, so contact the
Planning Dept. of FVRD.
15. Chilliwack Search and Rescue – on Nov 18 a member had his equipment stolen from his truck. Thanks to Dual
Sport BC who have raised $1500.00 to help him replace it.
16. BCWF Conservation App – for reporting infractions straight from your phone: http://bcwf.net/index.php/bcwf-app
17. Next Meeting – January 23, 2017
18. Adjourned – at 9:00 p.m.
As usual please follow the link above the the December 2016 CRAG meeting minutes. There is a lot of information to digest from this last meeting so PLEEESE take a few moments and read then comment
Of particular interest for DSBC is the Tamihi Kids Loop, although in the minutes they refer to the Section 56s and 57s (permits and permission to do stuff on crown land) as a "Backlog" The real reason, it seems someone at some government office has lost all the applications, something like 20. We at DSBC are not happy, we have put 1000s of dollars and more importantly 1000s of volunteer hours into this project, only to be told 2 years down the road that we have to start again. Its not only DSBC but also Blue Mtn, TCT and the Mtn bikers that have been told this same story.
There is also a bunch of other stuff that should interest just about anyone who ventures off of the paved road
Below is a copy and past of the same minutes
*****************************************************************************************************************************
Chilliwack Recreation Advisory Group Meeting Notes from December 5, 2016
(Chilliwack Resource District Office on Airport Road in Chilliwack)
Attending: Tom Blackbird (Chilliwack Resource District Recreation Officer), Cathy Ross (Chilliwack Resource District Recreation Technician), Ted Bangma (Palm Tree Septic Tank Service), Collin Bangma (Palm Tree Septic Tank Services), Nancy Spratt (Horse Council BC), Karen Black (Right Nuts ATV Club), John Coles (Bear Mountain Trail Society), Ray Keller (Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club), Neil Hawkings (Dual Sport BC), Ryan Thom (Blue Mtn Motorcycle Club), Doug Storozinski (Chilliwack River Valley Cavers), Meghan Jackson (Fraser Valley Regional District Parks), Karin Smith (Back Country Horsemen BC), Ted Blow (Pacific NorthWest Motorcycle Association), Doug Young (Blue Mountain Motorcycle Club), John McCauley (Yarrow Waterworks District) Rose Schroeder (Back County Horsemen BC), Brian Romak (Chilliwack Snowmobile Club), Mike Overhoff (Dual Sport BC), Ken Hurley (Chilliwack Outdoor Club), Donna Elias (Back Country Horsemen BC), Dwight Harris (Greater Vancourve Motorcycle Club), Peter Friesen (Dual Sport BC)
Abbreviations:
AIA – Archeological Impact Assessment
CFD – Chilliwack Forest Dist
CO - Conservation Officer
DRO - District Recreation Officer
EIA – Environmental Impact Assessment
FRR – Forest Recreation Regulation
FSP – Forest Service Plan
FSR - Forest Service Road
FVRD – Fraser Valley Regional Dist
NRO - Natural Resource Office
NSR - Not Satisfactorily Restocked
RSTBC - Recreation Sites & Trails
Branch of the Ministry of Forests, Lands
& Natural Resource Operations (FLNRO)
RT - Recreation Technician
SEEC – Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission
WHA - Wildlife Habitat Area
4WDABC – 4 Wheel Drive Assoc of BC
ATVBC – Quad Riders Assoc of BC
BCHBC – Back Country Horsemen of BC
BCORMA – BC Off-road Motorcycle Assoc
BCSF – BC Speleological Federation
BCWF – BC Wildlife Federation
BMMC – Blue Mtn Motorcycle Club
BMTS – Bear Mtn Trails Society
CKBC – Canoe Kayak BC
COC – Chilliwack Outdoor Club
CSC – Chilliwack Snowmobile Club
CVRA – Chwk Valley Ratepayers Assoc
DSBC – Dual Sport BC
FMC – Federation of Mtn Clubs
FVMBA – Fraser Valley Mtn Bike Assoc
GVMC – Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club
HCBC – Horse Council of BC
HPAC – Hangliding and Paragliding Assoc
LMATV – Lower Mainland ATV
NHT – National Hiking Trail
ORC – Outdoor Recreation Council of BC
ORV – Off Road Vehicle
RNATV – Right Nuts ATV Club
SWATT – Southwestern All Terrain Trails Assoc
TBC – Trails BC
TCT – Trans Canada Trail
VKC – Vancouver Kayak Club
VTR – Valley Trail Riders
WCSC – West Coast Soaring Club
YWD – Yarrow Waterworks District
Meeting start: 6:50 p.m. Chaired by Tom Blackbird (RSTBC, CFD, DRO)
Additional Agenda Topics:
12. Teal Jones Forest Stewardship Plan
13. Leon Lebrun’s letter to the Outdoor Recreation Council re: motorized use of the Trans Canada Trail
14. Land Management Plan for the Chilliwack River Valley
15. Chilliwack Search & Rescue
1. Provincial Meeting Update – Tom and Cathy reported on the recent announcement by Christy Clark re: planning for
recreation. Check the “Planning our Future document” on BCParks website http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/future/
5-year plan for BCParks and 3-year plan for RSTBC: 1900 more campsites, 800 in BCParks and 1100 RSTBC. The
800 in BCParks will be spread over the province. The 1100 allotted to RSTBC will go to high use areas: 350 in the
Chwk Forest District. The Treasury Board has not announced approval of this as of yet.
Campsite expansion links -
http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/premier-announces-1900-new-b-c-park-campsites
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-parks-campsites-1.3871546
Other Issues discussed:
- Chwk may get 1 extra staff person to share with Squamish.
- road should be part of the expansion package as for some sites access is non-maintained FSRs.
- signage: working group to develop new wording around the definition of a “commuter vehicle”. Identified, discussed
and analyzed the problems associated with the definition of a commuter motor vehicle. The current RST vehicle
policy is stated as; “Maximum one vehicle per party unless the vehicle is towed or is a commuter vehicle. A
commuter vehicle is any vehicle from the same residence as the first vehicle. All other vehicles require a payment of
an additional camping permit fee. Vehicles must be kept on existing roads, parking areas and campsites.”
Options discussed: At the time when the Forest Recreation Regulations are next amended, remove the reference to “commuter motor vehicle”
and clarify that a party may include an additional non-camping motor vehicle (other than a motorcycle), including a
towed motor vehicle. Consideration may be given to amending the FRR definition of a ‘motor vehicle’ to exclude
camping trailers and remove family from the definition of ‘party’ and align with BC Park’s definition of ‘party’ which is
based on a maximum of 8 persons but no more than 4 adults will add a limit to the number of persons on a campsite
and clarify that only one camping vehicle per party may be parked on a campsite.
- designated ORV Play areas are starting to be developed across the province. Bear Creek Recreation Site & ORV
Play Area - An example of a collaborative approach to managed recreation in a community watershed in the
Okanagan Shuswap district between Recreation Sites and Trails BC and the Okanagan Trail Riders:
http://www.okanagantrailriders.com/news/ Protection of Drinking Water in Community Watersheds Examined https://www.bcfpb.ca/news-resources...drinking-water-community-watersheds-examined/
- NRO Officers spoke on the “Big C, Little E” meaning more Compliance and less Enforcement focusing on issues
around water and fire. Will find out sometime Mar/Apr 2017 how many NROs and RCMP there will be.
2. Chilliwack District News
- Vedder cost updates: wrapped up invoices for costs associated with road improvements ($8500.00 mostly for
machine time repairing trails). Engineering Dept putting in for a Capital project in association with the possible Rec
Site on Vedder.
- Mike Peters is back in the office and will be full time Jan 1, 2017. Tom will ask if he would be a speaker at one of
our future meetings.
3. Mt. Slesse Memorial Trail: new bridge is being used but the road is washing out again and will likely need repairs
next year. There have been some requests to put a toilet in along the trail. RSTBC trying to decide where is best.
Discussion on the abuse of toilets in the valley, the cost of emptying and clean up, repairs, replacement. Budget will
dictate these decisions somewhat.
4. Harrison Fire Lookout – contractor reviewed and suggested that the whole structure is failing. RSTBC is considering rebuilding from ground up. Need at the moment is for a group or individual to source materials and costs.
Roofing materials have already been acquired and RSTBC has the plans. Option to prefab and fly in or fly in raw materials and build on site. Site is not vehicle accessible.
If there is an individual or group interested contact [email protected] 604-702-5762
5. 56 & 57 Applications and Process – Cathy Ross reported on a plan that has been developed to help process the
backlog of applications:
- invested groups will be invited to attend a presentation/meeting regarding the authorization process
- The Recreation Technician will give a PowerPoint presentation on the application process and requirements.
- A representative from each group in attendance will be requested to give a 5-minute briefing as to who they are
and where they are in the process.
- Each attending group will then have the opportunity to schedule a 45-minute meeting with the RT to discuss their
application.
- following this; applications will then be prioritized and processed.
- reminder to keep a copy of anything you are submitting in the process.
- auditors are welcome at the January 22 meeting
Section 57/56 Authorization presentation/meeting - 10:00 am Sunday January 22nd, at the Ministry Offices 46360 Airport Road Chilliwack BC. A presentation will be made by Recreation Technician Cathy Ross. One representative from each organization attending will be expected to provide a brief introduction that is NOT MORE THAN 5 MINUTES in duration and use the following guidelines:
1. State the name of organization, the date established, number of members, social media platforms.
2. Current funding sources, nonprofit status, grants, donations.
3. Provide a brief description and location of the trail, trail network and/or recreation site for which a Section 57/56
is being sought.
4. Provide a timeline and/or outline of where the organization currently ‘thinks’ their application is in the approval process.
Contact Cathy Ross to register your group [email protected]
6. Wet Weather Trail Use Policy – inspections have been done and there is growing concern over recreational and commercial activities in alpine areas and areas where the environment suffers damage due to wet conditions. Discussion points:
- RSTBC currently has no policy for motorized use in alpine areas.
- do any of the CRAG groups have a written policy? If groups had a policy it would help RSTBC defend their position on
trail use as well as liability issues.
- suggestion that groups should have a policy that includes shutting trails or portions thereof that will have a negative
impact on the environment when conditions are wet.
- of particular concern are trails with stream crossings (siltation issues)
- from the beginning of October until the end of March is a critical time for fish.
- educating members on this issue will create responsible users and avoid conflicts.
- decisions on who closes the trail is a partnership. RSTBC would like to trust groups to make responsible decisions
about closing trails.
Wet Weather Trail Riding Policy examples can be found at: http://cairnsmtb.com/wet-weather-trail-riding-policy/ and http://www.millstonetrails.com/trail-closure-policy/
7. FVRD Road Bylaw Update – discussions have wrapped up. No word yet when the new bylaw will take effect.
Tom B will advise when it is announced. Anyone with a badge will play a part in enforcement.
- no shooting 400 meters from center line.
- will be on 400 FSRs in the CFD.
8. Hemlock Update – Work in progress: currently 7 months into a 2 year window to develop a Recreation Management
Plan. A map has been circulated for comments due Dec 15, 2016. Trying to identify which roads will be left as trails.
Tom B will have the map at the next meeting.
9. Blue Mountain – in progress. Still needing to move a gate. There was discussion on logging in the area and
protecting the trails. Concern regarding a lock to the gate that has been changed without notice. Cost for keys is
extraordinary. The need for a new lock is endorsed by Blue Mtn Motorcycle Club but the process was flawed. It is a
safety issue if someone gets hurt behind a locked gate and no one has a key.
10. Skagit and SEEC – Cathy will be doing a presentation to SEEC about recreation interests in the Skagit River Valley.
If anyone has anything of interest to share please contact Cathy [email protected]
11. Stave West Update – will have Gene McInnes come give an update in early 2017.
12. Teal Jones FSP – recreation is recognized in the plan but trails are not layered onto it so difficult to comment on
impacts. Colors of different layers are negligible making it difficult to use. Concern why BC Timber Sales is not
sharing the trails info the CRAG groups submitted?
13. Trails BC letter to ORC – re: motorized use on the TCT, particularly the KVR (Kettle Valley Railway).
14. Land Management Plan for the Chilliwack River Valley – who does it? Suggestion: not the City, so contact the
Planning Dept. of FVRD.
15. Chilliwack Search and Rescue – on Nov 18 a member had his equipment stolen from his truck. Thanks to Dual
Sport BC who have raised $1500.00 to help him replace it.
16. BCWF Conservation App – for reporting infractions straight from your phone: http://bcwf.net/index.php/bcwf-app
17. Next Meeting – January 23, 2017
18. Adjourned – at 9:00 p.m.
here. Hard to keep forging ahead with all the govt. blundering, yet forge ahead we must.
