Thompson Alpine Motor Vehicle Prohibition

[tomcycle]

here is a little something for everyone to think about

In case you haven't heard
Thompson Alpine Motor Vehicle Prohibition


Prohibit motor vehicles above 1,700 m elevation throughout the Thompson Region except for use on existing roads or trails




Check out this Government Link
http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/ahte/hunting/thompson-alpine-motor-vehicle-prohibition

 

[joker650]

Hmmm...didn't see what ur gettin at...

oops, found it.
= 5500 feet.
Maybe not all that bad.
Another case of Stay On The used Trails ?

Proposed Regulations:

Prohibit motor vehicles above 1,700 m elevation throughout the Thompson Region except for use on existing roads or trails.
Existing Road or Trail means:
1. any paved route
2. any marked cross-country or downhill ski route
3. any logging road, resource road, permit road or previously constructed non-status road which is sufficiently hardened that environmental damage is not occurring from the use of motor vehicles
4. any mining trail built with a bulldozer or excavator
5. any roads or trails that access fences, powerlines, wind generators, communications or other such sites
6. any trail that has been so frequently used by vehicles that the native vegetation has been obliterated and only compacted, exposed soil remains in the tire tracks. No continuous vegetative material remains within the travel area with the exception of that portion of the track which is straddled by the vehicle travelling.




Rationale:


All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) use is growing rapidly throughout the province. Approximately 90,000 personal ATVs currently put demands on the land base and the environment in British Columbia (B.C.).
Alpine Motor Vehicle Prohibitions were first implemented in 2012 in the Okanagan Region to address concerns from damage of fragile alpine habitat caused by ATV’s.
This proposed access regulation will protect approximately 1,126,853 hectares of sensitive alpine environment not already protected by other mechanisms (e.g. provincial parks). In addition, the regulation will also address issues with respect to wildlife harassment and displacement of wildlife from important summer ranges (Mule deer and Grizzly bear).
This regulation will maintain access to alpine areas for ATV’s and other motor vehicle users, while protecting sensitive alpine habitats. Since most backcountry users carry GPS and/or maps, a general elevation boundary has been proposed that should be relatively easy for users to identify and Conservation Officers to enforce.
Section 46 (1) of the Forest and Range Practices Act is the only existing legislation protecting the environment from damage caused by off road vehicles but the language is general and difficult to enforce. This proposed regulation would be complementary to Section 46 (1) of the Forest and Range Practices Act, by defining acceptable use in alpine areas which would increase enforcement ability.

 

[tomcycle]

What dont you get? Area closed to motorised? or the elevation?

 

[joker650]

What dont you get? Area closed to motorised? or the elevation?

haha...just had to search the site a little is all.
http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/ahte/hunting/thompson-alpine-motor-vehicle-prohibition

 

[del-ric]

If I read this right, it is only proposed and not a currently enforced regulation.

 

[Aquafire]

Why is this something for everyone to think about? It's not quite the same as the other area-closures we've seen lately. In fact, I think this might be a great idea. And it's for ALL vehicles, not just bikes/quads.

If it passes, you're still allowed on the existing roads and trails. You just can't rip through alpine meadows and destroy nature above 5,000 feet. Seems reasonable to me.

"This regulation will maintain access to alpine areas for ATV’s and other motor vehicle users, while protecting sensitive alpine habitats."

This only seems to inhibit the asshats on quads that think the pristine meadows look better with a set of muddy tracks and a couple doughnut-spin-burnouts ripped through the middle.

 

[tomcycle]

Dont kid yourself it is coming. Aquafire....think man thats what I asked. I know you guys on KLR have a tough time keeping you bikes running over 4000 feet.

There are a ton of trails at the Onion Lake area over 5000 feet, but are they recognised trails? Maybe yes Maybe No. Not to mention the Dead Zone Trails. I know I am an alarmist but I see this as a major area closure. And it will get lots of guys like you agreeing with it. I love the alpine and think it should be protected, but I see this as the big hammer approach, with the warm and fuzzy wording. I have seen this before, soft sell and then its all out closure. Thin edge of the wedge comes to mind.

Maybe Im too old school, not collaborative enough or just plan don't trust my government when they seem to make sense.

Whats wrong with a law that sez we have to stay on established trails?

This is an area closure with an exception and I will bet that exception will be pulled in the future, why? because it was an exception to the law.

All I can say is get up and ride some of your favourite high routes as I see them being closed in the future. Too bad there are going to be a lot of guys missing out on some of the great adventure routes in BC

T

 

[Phoenix]

I'd surmise that elevation in and of itself is a poor standard to determine access to recreation in a province such as B.C.

 

[tomcycle]

Some examples from our Canada Day weekend at Spences Bridge

These new regulations are too broad, nobody disagrees with maintaining the alpine but if we get a over zealous conservation officer, there are going to be some big fines handed out.

Just something to think about

Here is a logging haul road, it will be seeded with grass or something like that, only problems, it is over the 1700 meter elevation and they put this haul grade in over an existing trail.

Bet you cant see the trail? over 10 years of use and the trail is still hard to find, particularly after logging
By definition this should be closed

Can you see the trail here? Lucky for us neither can the quads or 4x4s, Its over 1700m and vegitation covers the trail
Closed by definition

This is way over the 1700m threshold, but heh there are trees here, not alpine? with the late gowing season this trail is hard to find without the ribbons (pink) vegetation will cover this trail in two to three weeks, probably will be closed soon

Sorry about the picture being upside down, way above the 1700m threshold, is this still open? or is this enough vegetation on the trail to close? Again a lot of forest, no alpine yet.

 

[offworlder]

Its always the few that ruin it for the many, and sensitive/at risk areas need protection.
Lets hope that appropriate enforcement coupled with trail maps/area history will be the determining factor, in that (hopefully) responsible users (read: on trail, not shredding pristine alpine meadows) are not penalized, while still providing a mechanism so that irresponsible users are.