I appreciate the focus and activity in the Mount Sproatt/21 Mile Creek area this fall, to which all involved deserve credit for their efforts.

 

I wish to also now draw your attention to and reminder of the snowmobiling restrictions in the Upper Callaghan Valley, specifically Callaghan Lake Park and Callaghan Conservancy. 

 

Last winter, BC Parks spent a substantial amount of time reviewing the winter backcountry recreation activities and issues in the Callaghan valley protected areas. We were assisted by other agencies, commercial operators, clubs and public members to whom I am grateful. 

 

As a backgrounder, here’s a history recap:

 

·         During the lead up to 2007, it was identified that snowmobiling was occurring throughout Callaghan Lake Park, not just on the previously recognized route through it.

·         December, 2007:  in support of decisions made related the Olympics and the future of winter recreation in the Callaghan valley, the FRPA Section 58 Recreation Order was enacted, prohibiting snowmobiling in a large part of the upper valley, from Nov. 1 – May 15 annually. The Order meant an end to the snowmobile route through the park during the seasonal closures. 

·         Callaghan Conservancy and Upper Soo Conservancy were both established in 2008. Part of Callaghan Conservancy fell within the Sec. 58 Order zone and hence the snowmobiling restriction was grandfathered into that part. Other areas in the conservancy remained open to snowmobiling. All of the Upper Soo Conservancy remained open to snowmobiling and remains such today. Yup, it resulted in a lot of lines on maps, sometimes a bit confusing.

 

Last winter, it was identified there were numerous incursions by snowmobilers into Callaghan Lake Park and into the snowmobile closure areas of Callaghan Conservancy, the Solitude Glacier area in particular. This also meant a spike in user conflicts, between snowmobilers and both public users (backcountry skiers primarily) and commercial recreation operators. Incidents of snowmobiling in Garibaldi Park, one of the gems of the park system and where snowmobiling is prohibited year round, were also, once again, reported.  

 

Much like seeing Rainbow Lake in Whistler’s watershed laced with snowmobile tracks last winter, these reported incidents were not just the actions of a few. There were easily over dozen snowmobiling parties involved, perhaps upwards of 30 - 50 individuals.  No doubt there were more incidents that went unreported.

 

For my 35 years in natural resource and recreation management, I was surprised, and frankly, very disappointed, to see this blatant disrespect of BC’s incredible protected area system. 

 

And I know and appreciate it is also equally frustrating for the vast majority of folks in the snowmobiling community who respect the law and BC Parks and do their best to spread the word of ethical and safe snowmobiling in the backcountry.

 

As many of you know, a STS corridor, multi-agency compliance and enforcement team, made up of officers from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, the BC Conservation Officer Service, the RCMP and BC Parks was formed last winter, as a response, in part, to the ongoing violations. In the Callaghan valley, yes, that was us as far back as Ring Lake on sleds and Cirque Lake on skis. The team will be active again this winter, in parking lots, on the trails and in the remote backcountry. We have beacons, probes, shovels, packs and the necessary training to go with our violation ticket books, so kindly pass the word. J

 

As part the compliance and information effort, a new sign is being creating that focuses on the Solitude Glacier/Banner Pass “problem area” of the Brandywine Snowmobile Route. Please see the attached mock-up.  Feel free to distribute it as you see fit. One “You Are Here” sign is planned to be erected at Banner Pass. Another sign will be posted in the Brandywine Snowmobile route main parking lot. 

 

I am always open to feedback and more dialogue as related to winter recreation management in the above mentioned protected areas. However, I am away from end of today until Jan. 15, 2014, so you may wish to hold on such until my return. 

 

Garibaldi Park falls under the responsibility of my counterpart Area Supervisor, Katy Chambers, whom I have cc’d in this email, should you have any related questions or information about that park. 

 

Further information on individual parks and conservancies can be found at:

 

 

(we don’t have a page for the Upper Soo Conservancy just yet). 

 

Have a good and safe holiday season in the backcountry. 

 

Cheers,