Fifteen
regional groups came together Monday to sign a momentous agreement that will help
protect, build and sustain trails in southern British Columbia. This
agreement involved organizations that take part in cycling, snowmobiling,
horseback riding, ATVing, wilderness activities and mountain biking plus
municipalities and other groups.
Everyone involved agreed they
want to work together to protect and maintain the trails. While they don't plan
on making every trail usable by every group, they recognize that there are
enough trails for everyone to enjoy, whether they are skiing or horseback
riding.
"The group hopes to foster goodwill
between all users and the community," according to a press release that was
submitted to the Boundary Sentinel after the signing.
Their goal is to create
sustainable and environmentally sensitive trail networks for everyone with the
understanding that all the parties will need to work together to reach this
goal. Their philosophy is "Trails for everyone, but not every trail for
everyone."
In order to make their goals come
to fruition, they have agreed to openly share key information to the collective
membership and identify the needs for each type of recreation. Some groups are
more active in either the summer or winter. Others operate motorized vehicles
while still others prefer non-motorized trails.
They believe enhancing trails
will encourage locals to use them and that it will increase tourism and therefore
bring in increased revenue to the communities.
Trail safety, etiquette,
sustainability and management are all covered in the agreement. Protocols will
be enacted to make sure everyone is careful when using the trails and that
First Nations are consulted when planning and developing recreational trail opportunities.
All clubs and organizations will
keep records of their meetings that can be shared among the collective if
needed.
Only 15 of the Boundary Country Trails Agreement Working
Group were able to attend the signing but the other five members are expected
to sign in the next week. The agreement includes the Boundary Horse
Association, Boundary Area All Nations Aboriginal Council, Christina Lake Fire
Rescue, Grand Forks ATV Club, Grand Forks Community Trails Society, Grand Forks
Cycling Club, Grand Forks Search and Rescue, Granby Wilderness Society, Kettle
River Mountain Bikers Association, Metis Community Association, Phoenix
Mountain Alpine Ski Society, Phoenix Cross Country Ski Society, Snowmobile Club
- Christina Lake, Snowmobile Club -Grand Forks, North Fork Trails Maintenance,
Christina Lake Parks and Recreation, Corporation of the City of Grand Forks,
Regional District of Kootenay Boundary, Area C Regional District of Kootenay
Boundary, Area D and Government of British Columbia Recreation Sites and Trails.