Recreation and Conservation Update: The committee met on May 26.  Here is an update on recent discussions.

Chance Creek FSR Parking: Many skiers (and likely snowshoers) experienced difficulty parking on the Chance Creek FSR this winter.  There was a lot of competition for parking spaces with the road also being heavily used by snowmobilers.

 

Bryce from the ACC Whistler Section attended a recent meeting between government, motorized and non-motorized recreationists and Powder Mountain Catskiing (their base is about 2 km up the road).  Apparently the area right on the highway is to be used only for emergencies and chaining up (no parking) and the area just across the bridge and railway tracks is no-parking as well because it is inside the Barrier hazard area. 

 

Apparently the road will be signed as no parking up to the 400m elevation level (before the catski base) soon.  Powder Mountain Catskiing offered at least 5 parking spaces to skiers at there base, but it is not clear that this is enough or whether there will still be competition for those spaces with snowmobilers.  The committee continues to monitor the situation.

 

Heliski tenure in the Waddington Range: Knight Inlet Helisports was recently granted a heli skiing tenure for several areas, one of which is the Waddington range.  Fortunately a condition was attached to the tenure requiring consultation with the FMCBC on managing the area.  We have been discussing the issue with the proponent and others in the climbing and skiing community and recently sent a proposal to the proponent.  We suggested that a large portion of the Waddington range be made into a "no-fly zone" with heli skiing being permitted in the western side of the range during the winter.  We are currently waiting for a reply from the proponent.

 

Callaghan Parking and Access: The committee continues to negotiate for parking and access in the Callaghan Valley.  We are compiling a list of desired access points near the xc ski area and also along the access road.  It is possible that more parking could be constructed or plowed in the future (currently parking is not allowed on the access road except for a few places).

 

Sea to Sky LRMP: We have been meeting with a government appointed mediator regarding non-commercial recreational zoning in the Sea to Sky area.  This subject was not addressed in the recently released LRMP (land resource management plan) document.  While the topic was discussed at length during negotiations for the Winter Backcountry Sharing Accord (part of the Backcountry Forum process) several years ago it has not yet been actually put into place.  The mediator was present for part of our meeting to discuss some of his thoughts on what he will suggest to the government.  He will also meet with snowmobilers and the Lil'wat first nation.  We will all provide feedback and at some point he will make a recommendation to the government, who will then have to decide what to do.