Trail Strategy Meeting

Provincial

Words by Alan Bardsley.
Date: 2009-01-14

I wasn’t able to attend the public meeting to talk about the Provincial Government’s draft trail strategy so I asked Alan Bardsley to prepare a report on the meeting for us.  Thanks Alan!  CM

The hall had seats for 180 and people were standing. Good mix of trail users. Majority were older people such as myself.

John Hawkings, Chair of the Trails Strategy Committee, did a good job of giving an overview of the Draft Trails Strategy.  Most of the content is available here. Page numbers below are for pdf of draft strategy.



BC has over 30,000 km of recorded trails, the majority of which are Regional Districts & Municipalities trails.
10,000 km - Ministry of Tourism, Sports & Arts
11,600 km - Regional Districts & Municipalities
 7,000 km - BC Parks
 1,029 km - Rails to Trails
   850 km - Parks Canada

4 Trends impacting trail use
1 - Changing demographics - Active urban population seeking nearby trails.
2 - Increasing diversity of users - Including the rise of motorized users.
3 - Increasing recognition of economic benefits.
4 - Increasing transportation role for trails

BC Tourism plans to double tourism revenue by 2015. This will impact wear on the trails.

Key issues were identified, listed on pg 22.
Access is #1 and insurance/liability is #3.

4 Guiding Principles on pg 14
 1. Build on Partnerships and Collaboration
 2. Foster Environmental and Cultural Stewardship
 3. Secure Recreation Opportunities for All Users
 4. Provide Benefits for Communities and the Province



6 key components on page 24

 1. Collaborative Planning: The process whereby opportunities for all trail users are secured through collaborative partnerships with First Nations, government agencies at all levels, and trail user groups, including appropriate linkages between Crown and private lands.

 2. Good Governance: This includes the range of activities related to communicating and improving the legislation, regulatory and policy framework that supports the B.C. Trails Program. These efforts will help deliver a governance model that is robust and responsive in developing a world class trail system.

 3. Sustainable Resources: Refers to efforts made to utilize existing funds for trail projects and initiatives aimed at securing additional stable funding to establish and sustain a world class trails system over the long term. Funding provides the “seed” support needed to attract volunteers and to develop partnership projects.

 4. Effective Management: These are the numerous and varied activities needed to support and maintain the trail system. They include development and communication of standards, the compliance and enforcement regime, resource road access considerations, and a ‘best practices’ approach to managing trails on private land.

 5. Comprehensive Information: Fundamental data needs to be gathered to design, develop and maintain a world class trail system. This information is best gathered through a comprehensive trail inventory and trail user survey.

 6. Strategic Marketing: The benefits of a world class trail network are best delivered through a provincial marketing strategy that supports efforts made by local government at the regional district and municipal level.

14 Proposed Actions on page 25-38

He stressed the need for a collaborative approach, repeating the mantra "Opportunities for every user, but not every opportunity for every user".
He avoided taking any position on the motorized v.s. non-motorized split despite attempts from several people to elevate the issue.

Liability was a hot topic. (Proposed action #5, pg 29) When he described the Utah legislation as the Occupiers Liability Act on steroids there was resounding applause.

In answer to questions on the province offering liability coverage, he said that MTSA offered $2 million coverage to clubs they had agreements with to maintain trails on Crown Land and maintained to standards, such as the Whistler & IMBA trail guidelines.

Someone pointed out that some agencies require $5 million.
Action #8 on pg 32 calls for trail standards to be consolidated.

Stable funding mentions the idea of a trail pass in Action #7 on pg 31.

Katharine Steig pointed out the reduced funding to BC Parks is $33 million, reduced from $41 million in 2003.

During Q&A, one gentleman went on at length about the impact of motorized vehicles using the Trans Canada Trail, resulting in hikers and cyclists being directed to trails rendered unusable by the ATV traffic. Nice to see bikes included with hikers.

It would be great to have as many mountain bikers as possible fill out the feedback form so we are recognized as a group and heard.  It would be great to push for a revision of the Occupiers Liability Act and to have the province assume liability with less paperwork, beaurocracy and restrictions.

Give your feedback here.

nsmb already has an active thread on this topic here.

Matt Bond of the nsmbA wrote a summary of the meeting as well on the nsmbA site.