For your reading pleasure and comment, the monthly CRAG meeting minutes
Of note is highlighted in blue
Of note is highlighted in blue
Chilliwack Recreation Advisory Group Meeting Notes from January 18, 2016
Attending: Tom Blackbird (DRO RSTBC), Rose Schroeder (HCBC), Karin Smith (BCHBC),
Scott Davis-Fisch (FVMBA), Jack Bryceland (FMC), Peter Friesen (DSBC), Mike Overhoff
(DSBC), Cal Kaytor (SWATT), Mike Reilly (RNATV), Kim Reeves (4WDABC), Larri Woodrow (BCWF)
Leon LeBrun (Trails BC), Elmer Niezen (Chwk Snow), Brian Romak (Chwk Snow), Ryan Thom
(BMMC: Blue Mtn Motorcycle Club), Doug Young (BMMC), Tom Timmerman (DSBC), Meghan
Stewart (FVRD Parks)
1. Chilliwack District News
a. FVRD and RSTBC East Harrison Lands – working in partnership. Tom B reported that lands
are designated and we now trying to get some trail work done on things like signage, danger
trees, mapping etc. Hope to make an announcement of this area finished at Sasquatch Days
in July.
b. West Harrison – the slide area and danger trees are still an issue being dealt with. Forest
Companies have put in application to take out live trees but we need to find out how to deal
with the burned ones at the same time. There will be active logging soon in areas around
Wood Lake, 18 km and Sunrise Lake. Need to decide if the road is upgraded for the logging
then what state should it be left in after logging is finished? 4WDABC recommends leaving it
in rough shape and call it a high value recreational trail.
c. Stulkawitz FSR – still working on it. The closed gate at 1 km, will soon move up to 4-5 km to
give access to the road fork.
2. Tamahi Staging Area – Wayne Furness has 8 campsites inside the staging area but is still
running a loss for the year. Looking for ways to maintain these sites and have them bring in
some revenue. User fees, day use fees? They work well but need to have some income.
There are 2 things that draw on profits as well: Handicapped can stay 14 nights/year for free
and discounts for seniors. These apply to peak seasons as well. BCParks has a program
where reservations can only be booked one month in advance. Prime sites with more value
(view or lake side) would have no discounts and maybe a higher fee charged. There is no
appetite at the moment to start a program like that. Day Use fees go all to the Hosts at the
moment and nothing back into the trails. Day use fees are difficult to collect because of the
constant in and out flow of people. There would have to be a host on site collecting 24/7.
At the moment West Harrison is the only site approved to have a day use fee but there is no
one there to collect. Bear Creek is managed by a local Rec Group and all the fees go back
into that sport. One thing RSTBC is considering is taking Tamahi Staging area out of Wayne’s
contract.
Discussion – “Extended Stay” pilot program for rec sites is going slow. Advertising came out
late.
Discussion – Tom is trying to reinstate a yearly meeting with all Rec site Hosts to make sure
they are all getting the same message and operating by the same guidelines.
3. Chilliwack River Valley
a. Winter Damage Update – all users report lots of windfall from before Christmas storms.
There was a consensus that a Chainsaw Safety Course would be a good idea. Action: Tom
B will look for an instructor, dates and location.
Report – Mt. McQuire, there is a washed out culvert at 1 km. Action: Tom B will notify
Engineering. IPP on Tamahi looks like it will be approved and construction will start this
spring.
b. Closing off side road access on Chilliwack River Road – ongoing garbage dumping
especially bldg site materials and asbestos. There have been 10 areas identified to be
closed off. Letters have gone out to licensees. A Wilderness Watch program was
suggested. Concerns that closing off access denies the responsible users and youth, the
opportunity to recreate in the backcountry. Action: Tom provided a map last meeting of the
proposed access points to be closed. Will send to Jack again for dispersal to members.
All members and recreationists in the valley should use the RAPP program
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/cos/rapp/rapp.html (Dial Toll Free 1-877-952-7277) or
Compliance and Enforcement Program - Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
This link identifies what some of the things are to be reported and how. There is also a link
to the Conservation Officers on this page. Note that the page even identifies the times to
call 911… NRO’s have a report line too…Tel: 250-952-4631 Fax: 250-952-4628
4. Vedder Staging Area – ongoing. Proposed 2 parking/staging areas: 1 linear non-motorized
just past the current area by the gate. Gate would be moved further up the road. 2nd motorized
just above where the current one is. Trying to come up with a management plan and what
amenities to provide. Both are old landing sites, letters have been sent our for referrals.
Anticipate starting date next fiscal.
There are currently 6 logging blocks proposed for Vedder. Looks like 3 will be approved.
5. Salmon Arm Share the Trails Workshop – CRAG has been invited to be a speaker for a
session. Tom B and Rose will attend and do a presentation. Members were asked for
feedback into content and to send logos and pictures of their clubs to Rose for inclusion.
Action: Scott DF volunteered to draw up a logo for CRAG.
6. Chilliwack Park Society meeting – Jan 28 at the Cheam Hall 7:00 pm: regarding Eastern
Hillside trails.
7. Sts’ailes’s shelters on West Harrison – bridge work is done. Can SWATT put up some
shelters?
First Nations is on side. What are the requirements? Depending on size some require a
tenure. Action: Tom B will follow up.
8. Larri Woodrow – attending a meeting with Liberal MP Joyce Murray re: creating job
opportunities. Larri would like some suggestions from the group on ways that recreation could
create job opportunities. This discussion is the gov’t looking for ways to created revenue to
fulfill election promises. Send ideas to [email protected]
9. Next Meeting – Feb 15, 2016 at Forestry Office on Airport Road, Chilliwack.
