05/17/2008

Mountain Biking on Vedder Mountain to Get the Axe Words by Mark Steinebach

There has been significant press over the last several years regarding land use controversies on the North Shore. Anti-access groups continue to press for a mountain biking ban on North Shore trails. There is a continued sense of attack and there is a need for vigilant advocacy for sustainable access and use of public lands for recreation including mountain biking. The threat to our trails has now moved up the valley to Chilliwack.

Many from all over the lower mainland have had opportunity to ride the vast network of mountain bike trails on Vedder Mountain that overlooks Cultus Lake. These are some of the oldest bike trails in existence and were once the home of the oldest and longest running cross-country mountain bike race in North America, The Vedder Mountain Classic. High quality, Shore-style trails are continually being built and maintained without the benefit of an organized association or advocacy group, and shared trail access has not had the kind of controversy that is seen in other areas. Dirt bikers, trail runners, equestrians and hikers share access points and their trails often converge and cross but we have learned to co-exist.

Now, a new logging plan has been proposed by Weyerhauser/Northwest Hardwoods in addition to a proposed asphalt plant for the southeast region of Vedder Mountain, which is likely to proceed in April 2005. For those familiar with the area, these are the slopes that you would see when standing in the parking lot of the shopping plaza in the Cultus Lake Village looking west, or when you are looking across the water to Vedder Mountain from Main Beach. The logging would completely destroy about 50% of the mountain bike trails and would make access to the remaining 50% nearly impossible. Dilemma, MongoLloyd, Electric Lettuce, and Mexican Ninja would be gone forever and access to Mango Mango and Femur would be completely cut off. Future logging plans include the areas containing the Den, parts of R.e.f.r. and Hidden Pleasures, and the trails featured on season 2 of Drop In (Wife Beater, and Lesbians Only).

Along with this logging plan, a proposal to build a bunker oil fuelled, asphalt plant right next to the main parking area for mountain bikers is also on the table. Even without the destruction from logging, this plant will significantly pollute the air and watersheds, and will add the movement of more than 70 semi-trucks of asphalt and countless gravel trucks per day to the road in and out of this area.

Only a few short days ago there was no desire on the part of any of the opposition stakeholders to discuss the issues with trail use advocates. This all changed following some excellent television, radio and print media coverage particularly following a large and successful rally on the weekend. This led to some dialogue and eventually a meeting with the "powers-that-be".

Click the map to view a larger version.

Following a three hour meeting February 21, 2005 with Weyerhaeuser execs and the manager of the Chilliwack Forest District a tentative verbal agreement has been reached to discuss preserving many of the trails from the faller's saw. Coinciding talks to achieve the legal sanctioning of existing trails so as to ensure future access to users and protection from future logging company incursions have also been scheduled. Does this mean that access to and protection for our sweet trails has been achieved? By no means! This issue has about a gazillion details that need to be worked out and is like navigating a mine field in a pair of swim fins with a bag over your head. But we are determined that our efforts will not be derailed.

The moral of this story: though the ending has yet to be written, passion and persistence can pay some fine dividends. All members of the mountain bike community need to doggedly pursue the individuals in positions of power to ensure that future trail access is maintained. Mountain biking tourism adds significantly to the local economy. These dollars are sustainable and clean. This must be made known to the people who make the decisions. Without a significant, persistent voice from the mountain bike community, riding trails on Vedder Mountain or anywhere on public land is in jeopardy.

List of Significant Individuals to Write Regarding Your concerns about land use issues on Vedder Mountain.

1) Clint Hames, Mayor, City of Chilliwack
Chilliwack City Councillors: Chuck Stam, Dorothy Kostrzewa, Mel Folkman, Sharon Gaetz, Mark Andersen, Pat Clark
8550 Young Road
Chilliwack, BC V2P 8A4
Fax 604-792-2561
www.chilliwack.com
**all councillor emails are attached to the above website**

2) Hon. Barry Penner, MLA
105-8615 Young Road
Chilliwack, BC V8V 1X4
Localmla@uniserve.com

3) Hon. John Les, MLA
102-45389 Luckakuk Way
Chilliwack, BC V2R 3W1
John.les.mla@leg.bc.ca

4) Hon. Chuck Strahl, MP
106-8615 Young Road
Chilliwack, BC V2P 4P3
Riding@chuckstrahl.com

5) Weyerhaeuser Company Ltd
Northwest Hardwoods
7150 Tilbury Road
Delta, BC V4G 1B7
Ron.manke@weyerhaeuser.com

6) Kerry Grozier, District Manager
Ministry of Forests
Chilliwack Forest District
Kerry.grozier@gems3.gov.bc.ca

7) Hon. Mike deJong, Minister of Forests
mike.dejong.mla@leg.bc.ca

8) Hon. George Abbott, Minister of Sustainable Resources
george.abbott.mla@leg.bc.ca

9) Hon. Bill Barisoff, Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection
Bill.barisoff.mla@leg.bc.ca

10) Editor, The Chilliwack Progress
editor@theprogress.com

11) Editor, Chilliwack Times
editorial@chilliwacktimes.com