Eagle Ridge Area Closures to Motorized Vehicles

[motorambler]

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More news regarding the Jan 27 open house:

Hello,

Just a quick informal update on Eagle Mountain. The City of Coquitlam and Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts are actively looking into access options. Providing access to the trails before enforcing the restricted area on the Hydro line was strongly supported by at least one City Councilor and many others.
Since the Open House, the City has spoken with the Westwood Plateau Golf course and a key/gate program option was supported by the Superintendent. However, permission still needs to be sought from the owner of the Golf Course - that is underway. It is our intention to facilitate the provision of an alternate access to the trails prior to cordoning off the Hydro line. It is hoped that those who use this area will appreciate these efforts and that this will deter the removal or destruction of any barriers we erect.

I will keep you updated as we progress. Please forward this message to those you feel would be interested, as not everyone who attended the Open House left their email - I am dependent on word of mouth and email forwards to keep you informed at this time. Also, if one of you could post this message on your recreational websites (BC 4x4.com, and others?) that would be helpful to all. Once a formalized plan has been confirmed, we can consider a more thorough communication plan.

Thank you,

Melony Burton AScT
Engineering Technologist
City of Coquitlam
Infrastructure Management

 

[motorambler]

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Another update:

Things are moving quickly here. The owner of the Westwood Plateau Golf course is supportive of the key/gate program with the condition that they be excluded from any liability. Please be aware that the City is delaying posting and enforcement of the Managed Area restrictions until about the end of March, 2010. This will allow the following to occur:
BC Transmission Corp to construct a barrier across their ROW at the maintenance road off Plateau Boulevard (BCTC can not have any construction activity near the transmission lines during the Olympics)
Establishment of a "key" program to allow registered motorized vehicles to cross the Managed Area and access the upper portion of Eagle Mountain.

Now looking at key options including a "card swipe" gate access.

 

[ScottM604]

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This news has made it to the bcjeepclub forum one of the members is involved with the proceeding

 

[motorambler]

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Just received this update:

An informal update on proceedings:

Through discussions with the golf course, we have determined that they do not want to assume liability for damage or maintenance. The City proposed to assume liability by way of a putting a statutory right of way on the road and establishing it as either a public access road or dedicated road. The golf course has not yet responded to this proposal, but further discussion is expected this week. We will continue to try and get cooperation from them on this issue until the end of the week before exploring alternate solutions .
It is important to keep in mind that the City has no authority over private property (the golf course, access road, BCTC right of way). Nor can the City condone or encourage trespassing on private property. However, we are doing what we can to facilitate a legit access to the trails and find a workable solution for all involved.
BCTC has begun construction of their wall. If attempts to get the road access permit fails, we may look into other creative ways to get 4x4 users around the gate, but deter those engaging in illegal activity (eg. build something that 4x4 users can use to drive around the gate, but is difficult or impossible for others intending to abandon vehicles, start fires or dump debris?). We cannot simply open the gate as there is an extreme fire risk associated with illegal activity in the area.
If either the road access or gate workaround solution comes to fruition, we could exclude the access road from the Section 58 restrictions.
Presently, RCMP are only ticketing destructive activity such as dumping, fires, and abandoning vehicles. They are not enforcing the restrictions on recreational users until we finalize the access issue.


Melony Burton AScT
Engineering Technologist
City of Coquitlam
Infrastructure Management

 

[skidmark43]

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Thanks for the update, Arthur.

It reads like Coquitlam is being incredibly cooperative / proactive in finding an access solution.

 

[motorambler]

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Update today:

Good news. The golf course has agreed to give the City of Coquitlam a statutory right of way on the access road. We are meeting with some local 4x4 group representatives and Mike Peters (Ministry representative) to determine the best key program options for the gate.

Melony

 

[old trials guy]

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Update March 26 from Melony Burton of the City of Coquitlam:

Hello,

Things are coming along and good news to report.

BCTC (BC Transmission Corporation) has started construction of the barrier to the Hydro Right of Way. The legal notice is being posted today, and the Section 58 restrictions for the Managed Area are now enforceable by RCMP. The access road has been removed from the managed area and we have gotten approval from the Golf Course for a public right of way. It will take about a month to formalize that agreement. We have a verbal ok to use the road in the meantime, so please be respectful of our Golf Course and BCTC neighbours. The City will be administering a formal key and sticker program shortly which will be available to all users. This may include a deposit, waiver and responsible user information handout. That too will take a little time to get in place. In the meantime:

The gate is locked and posted with a City contact number. Any public that wants access to the green gate on the maintenance road (off Plateau Boulevard) should contact the City of Coquitlam Customer Service at 604-927-3500. This number is answered around the clock.

All callers will be told that:

• A key can be picked up the City's Service Centre on Monday to Friday, from 8:00am to 4:30pm. We are located at 500 Mariner Way, Coquitlam, BC.
• The gate must be locked after entry to prevent unauthorized access.
• If you get stuck behind the gate, please call the Customer Service number on the sign posted on the gate. Do not trespass on Golf Course property or the managed area.

Please do not park or unload vehicles inside the gate. If necessary, unload and leave any transport vehicles on the shoulder of the public access road before entering. Be aware of BCTC barrier construction and do not block access for their work. If you have been unloading at another location (dirt bikes, atv's) without complaints, then it would be preferable that you continue to do so rather than at this location.

Once the formal key program is in place, the lock will be changed and you will be required to get a new key through the program for access. It is preferred if we can keep the traffic and key dispersal to a minimum at this time until we can get things in order.

Thank you for your cooperation,



Melony Burton AScT

Engineering Technologist

City of Coquitlam

otg

 

[MtB]

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Does this mean that the BCTC powerline trail off Eagle mountain drive (heading west to just above Buntzen lake) is now off limits too?

 

[old trials guy]

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MtB wrote:

Does this mean that the BCTC powerline trail off Eagle mountain drive (heading west to just above Buntzen lake) is now off limits too?

The closure it just around the access road at the top of Plateau by the golf course where there has been a lot of environmental damage on and adjacent to the hydro right of way.

There is a map at the beginning of this thread.

otg

 

[hightoweratwork]

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Hey Guys:

If you are riding up at Eagle mountain, be careful on the trails. BC hydro has placed cement blocks to stop unauthorised entry. BC Hydro did have tape to indicate where the blocks are, however someone has removed the tape.

Just take it easy going around corners for a while. We also had somepeople riding horses up atEagle Mountain drive.

Shane:hb: