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Minutes below. Thank you for attending Leslie and Dan from 4WDABC.
Chilliwack River Advisory Group Meeting May 26, 2014
Ministry of Forests Building, Airport Road, Chilliwack
Attendance list: Mike Peters (RSTBC), Rose Schroeder (Horse Council BC), Karin Smith (BCHBC), Scott Davis-Fisch (FVMBA), Adam Frey (VKC), Tegan Owens (VKC), Jacquie Horn (RNATV), Mike Overhoff (DSBC), Cal Kaytor (SWATT), Brian Romak (CSC), Pat Harrison (Hike BC), Bruce Leddingham (SWATT), Dean Jesiak (ATVBC, RNATV), Peter Friesen (DSBC), Wally Klammer (GVMC), Alex Flostrand (DSBC), Leslie Hagen (4WDABC), Dan Wishart (4WDABC), Kevin Koopmans (FVMBA), Kelly Pearce (Hope Mtn Center)
Guests: Bill Brooks, Rich Vigors, Allan Major (Stave West Project)
A. Call to Order and Introductions - Mike P
B. City of Mission Interpretive Forest Update (Stave West): Bill Brooks
- resolution was passed to produce a Recreation Master Plan
- TOR (terms of reference) and a Task Force have been struck with a goal of presenting a plan early 2015
- Mike P represents our user groups and recreation interests
- 5 Working groups have been set up. Mike P helps lead the Stakeholder group.
- Open Houses have been announced: June 5 (7-9pm), June 7 (10am-2pm) and June 11 (7-9pm) at the Mission
Leisure Center, 7650 Grand Street, Mission. It is imperative that recreation users attend and provide feedback.
- there will also be on-line surveys www.mission.ca Please send out to your memberships.
- Bill will send a digital version of this invitation to Mike, who will in turn forward to CRAG
- 3 things the plan will provide: economic benefits, social benefits and environmental responsibility
- the process seems to be repeating itself but now is the time to give your input. Think long term, what your group needs
will be in the next 10-15 years: staging areas, trails, infrastructure….
- reminder that the Interpretive Forest Designation is complete
C. Additional Agenda Topics
- the Endangered Rivers List has been posted on the ORC website.
D. Update from the District
1. District Priorities Review:
1st Priority: Established Rec Sites with Fees and an Agreement
2nd Priority: Established Rec Sites with no Fees and an Agreement
3rd Priority: Established Trails with Agreements
4th Priority: Established Trails not under Agreement
5th Priority: Non Established Trails/Sites with rec file numbers
6th Priority: Non Established Trails
Question - what is going to happen when there are more and more established sites and trails? There will be a need for an increase in funding. Some political pressure may be needed from user groups to achieve that.
2. District Budget Review:
3 pots to draw from: Operational, Capital and LBIS (Land Based Investment System). Still waiting for final numbers
but looks like Chwk will receive 94.7% of last years (total approx $120,788.00). Problem: budget cut but all costs have
risen. 3 Capital projects on the books: Blue Mtn (pending), Harrison Yacht Club (docks: 2 year project), Tamahi
Staging Area Rec Site in Chwk River Valley ( starting May 27). The LBIS is down to $27,000. this year. $15,000. Of this has been dedicated to the Mission Interpretive Forest (Stave West) project. What
is left over will either be designated to Club projects or straight into RST projects.
Harrison West Lookout project was granted $5000. Suggested setting up a Task Force: ATV, 4WD, Hiking.
Volunteers: Pat H, Cal K, Kim R, Bruce L.
3. District Engineering Officer meeting - Noted that recreation has more user vehicles on the FSR’s than industry.
Late notice made it difficult for someone to speak at the CRAG meeting. Mike P suggested that CRAG write a letter to the District Manager with specifics on what questions we have regarding FSR’s, gates, website. We should start thinking about short and long term goals specific to the Chwk Forest District and bring this to the attention of MOF. Ties in the with Natural Resource Roads Act draft.
There will be a road user group meeting June 11. Mike suggested that CRAG have an attendee. Bruce L offered to attend on behalf of CRAG.
4. Ham Radio Course - Kim absent. Set for June 14 and 15 at Forestry Office in Chwk.
5. 10 Mile Bay Clean Up - after Grad Party. West Harrison. 4WD Club did a clean up along with CO’s and RCMP.
Suggestion that ORC write a letter on behalf of all user groups to Minister of Education and School Districts about Grad Party Campouts, requesting assistance in mitigating the problem of trash left behind. Include the media.
6. Capital Budget Review - discussed above
7. Chehalis North Rec Site and Freedom Mines - mining tenure holder camping in the rec site. He has been given short term permission to stay until he can find another site outside the boundary of the Rec Site but still within his tenure claim area.
8. Nahatlatch Lookout - base is ready, gauge is here ready for installation, bldg needs paint, road markers need to be installed and an inspection done. Work party?
9. Harrison Climbing Area - Sam W has approached Mike P about protecting a new climbing site in the Harrison Area.
Access has recently been improved. Project proposed by Sam includes maintaining access to staging area and the
trail. Hydro could be a potential partner. Mike will add to the list and prioritize.
10. City of Mission and Interpretive Forest - discussed above. Be sure to publicize Open Houses and Survey and attend. Sayers Lake Rec Site managed by Kwantlen First Nations.
11. Bowen Island, Mt. Gardner and BCIT networks - deactivated places. 4WD and ATV members have contacted Mike and will meet. An area will be established for their trails. BCIT is dragging because of potential conflicts to Industry.
Tennesse Trent is working on this one.
12. Trails Needs Assessment project for CRV - Kevin K reported meeting with Tyson (engineer) at the beginning of May to identify an area for a bridge on the Slesse Trail. The current site only makes sense for a temporary crossing. 2 other potential sites were found for a permanent bridge. Trail needs here are brushing, improved drainage and the bridge.
13. Slesse Trail Bridge Update - discussed in #12
14. Dewdney Grind Trail and others - Meeting May 27 to ask for funding and establishment. Although used trails, these are not established and have no agreements or funding so fall in category 4 or 5 for priority.
15. Nahatlatch River Rec Site access - rec site on opposite side of the river has been isolated for the past 4 or 5 years. Recently was opened as 4WD access only. It is only temporary. Suggestion that ATV groups could help with bridges?
16. Vedder Mtn - letter to First Nations has been sent answering their concerns. This should be the last step in designation process.
17. Trail Counters - Dean J reports needing batteries to set up for the season. Elmer N had offered to check into this at the last meeting.
18. Hiring Rec Technician - Mike P confirmed that there will be a Technician hired for a 6 month period. He felt that the letter CRAG requested ORC send to the Minister helped to make the decision in favor or hiring an extra Tec. June 2 start date.
E. Next Meeting Date - June 23 2014 at MOF Chwk 7:00 pm
Chilliwack River Advisory Group Meeting May 26, 2014
Ministry of Forests Building, Airport Road, Chilliwack
Attendance list: Mike Peters (RSTBC), Rose Schroeder (Horse Council BC), Karin Smith (BCHBC), Scott Davis-Fisch (FVMBA), Adam Frey (VKC), Tegan Owens (VKC), Jacquie Horn (RNATV), Mike Overhoff (DSBC), Cal Kaytor (SWATT), Brian Romak (CSC), Pat Harrison (Hike BC), Bruce Leddingham (SWATT), Dean Jesiak (ATVBC, RNATV), Peter Friesen (DSBC), Wally Klammer (GVMC), Alex Flostrand (DSBC), Leslie Hagen (4WDABC), Dan Wishart (4WDABC), Kevin Koopmans (FVMBA), Kelly Pearce (Hope Mtn Center)
Guests: Bill Brooks, Rich Vigors, Allan Major (Stave West Project)
A. Call to Order and Introductions - Mike P
B. City of Mission Interpretive Forest Update (Stave West): Bill Brooks
- resolution was passed to produce a Recreation Master Plan
- TOR (terms of reference) and a Task Force have been struck with a goal of presenting a plan early 2015
- Mike P represents our user groups and recreation interests
- 5 Working groups have been set up. Mike P helps lead the Stakeholder group.
- Open Houses have been announced: June 5 (7-9pm), June 7 (10am-2pm) and June 11 (7-9pm) at the Mission
Leisure Center, 7650 Grand Street, Mission. It is imperative that recreation users attend and provide feedback.
- there will also be on-line surveys www.mission.ca Please send out to your memberships.
- Bill will send a digital version of this invitation to Mike, who will in turn forward to CRAG
- 3 things the plan will provide: economic benefits, social benefits and environmental responsibility
- the process seems to be repeating itself but now is the time to give your input. Think long term, what your group needs
will be in the next 10-15 years: staging areas, trails, infrastructure….
- reminder that the Interpretive Forest Designation is complete
C. Additional Agenda Topics
- the Endangered Rivers List has been posted on the ORC website.
D. Update from the District
1. District Priorities Review:
1st Priority: Established Rec Sites with Fees and an Agreement
2nd Priority: Established Rec Sites with no Fees and an Agreement
3rd Priority: Established Trails with Agreements
4th Priority: Established Trails not under Agreement
5th Priority: Non Established Trails/Sites with rec file numbers
6th Priority: Non Established Trails
Question - what is going to happen when there are more and more established sites and trails? There will be a need for an increase in funding. Some political pressure may be needed from user groups to achieve that.
2. District Budget Review:
3 pots to draw from: Operational, Capital and LBIS (Land Based Investment System). Still waiting for final numbers
but looks like Chwk will receive 94.7% of last years (total approx $120,788.00). Problem: budget cut but all costs have
risen. 3 Capital projects on the books: Blue Mtn (pending), Harrison Yacht Club (docks: 2 year project), Tamahi
Staging Area Rec Site in Chwk River Valley ( starting May 27). The LBIS is down to $27,000. this year. $15,000. Of this has been dedicated to the Mission Interpretive Forest (Stave West) project. What
is left over will either be designated to Club projects or straight into RST projects.
Harrison West Lookout project was granted $5000. Suggested setting up a Task Force: ATV, 4WD, Hiking.
Volunteers: Pat H, Cal K, Kim R, Bruce L.
3. District Engineering Officer meeting - Noted that recreation has more user vehicles on the FSR’s than industry.
Late notice made it difficult for someone to speak at the CRAG meeting. Mike P suggested that CRAG write a letter to the District Manager with specifics on what questions we have regarding FSR’s, gates, website. We should start thinking about short and long term goals specific to the Chwk Forest District and bring this to the attention of MOF. Ties in the with Natural Resource Roads Act draft.
There will be a road user group meeting June 11. Mike suggested that CRAG have an attendee. Bruce L offered to attend on behalf of CRAG.
4. Ham Radio Course - Kim absent. Set for June 14 and 15 at Forestry Office in Chwk.
5. 10 Mile Bay Clean Up - after Grad Party. West Harrison. 4WD Club did a clean up along with CO’s and RCMP.
Suggestion that ORC write a letter on behalf of all user groups to Minister of Education and School Districts about Grad Party Campouts, requesting assistance in mitigating the problem of trash left behind. Include the media.
6. Capital Budget Review - discussed above
7. Chehalis North Rec Site and Freedom Mines - mining tenure holder camping in the rec site. He has been given short term permission to stay until he can find another site outside the boundary of the Rec Site but still within his tenure claim area.
8. Nahatlatch Lookout - base is ready, gauge is here ready for installation, bldg needs paint, road markers need to be installed and an inspection done. Work party?
9. Harrison Climbing Area - Sam W has approached Mike P about protecting a new climbing site in the Harrison Area.
Access has recently been improved. Project proposed by Sam includes maintaining access to staging area and the
trail. Hydro could be a potential partner. Mike will add to the list and prioritize.
10. City of Mission and Interpretive Forest - discussed above. Be sure to publicize Open Houses and Survey and attend. Sayers Lake Rec Site managed by Kwantlen First Nations.
11. Bowen Island, Mt. Gardner and BCIT networks - deactivated places. 4WD and ATV members have contacted Mike and will meet. An area will be established for their trails. BCIT is dragging because of potential conflicts to Industry.
Tennesse Trent is working on this one.
12. Trails Needs Assessment project for CRV - Kevin K reported meeting with Tyson (engineer) at the beginning of May to identify an area for a bridge on the Slesse Trail. The current site only makes sense for a temporary crossing. 2 other potential sites were found for a permanent bridge. Trail needs here are brushing, improved drainage and the bridge.
13. Slesse Trail Bridge Update - discussed in #12
14. Dewdney Grind Trail and others - Meeting May 27 to ask for funding and establishment. Although used trails, these are not established and have no agreements or funding so fall in category 4 or 5 for priority.
15. Nahatlatch River Rec Site access - rec site on opposite side of the river has been isolated for the past 4 or 5 years. Recently was opened as 4WD access only. It is only temporary. Suggestion that ATV groups could help with bridges?
16. Vedder Mtn - letter to First Nations has been sent answering their concerns. This should be the last step in designation process.
17. Trail Counters - Dean J reports needing batteries to set up for the season. Elmer N had offered to check into this at the last meeting.
18. Hiring Rec Technician - Mike P confirmed that there will be a Technician hired for a 6 month period. He felt that the letter CRAG requested ORC send to the Minister helped to make the decision in favor or hiring an extra Tec. June 2 start date.
E. Next Meeting Date - June 23 2014 at MOF Chwk 7:00 pm
