Mandatory "Back Country Access Pass Port"

[Linc]

We've been tossing around the idea for BC to have a "Back Country Access Pass Port". With this Pass Port every single user of the back country would need to purchase this pass port.

This means skiers,snowboarders,snowshoers,hikers,bikers,mountain bikers,atvers,sledders.From what I understand, this would be similar to what the state of Oregon has in place now.The monies collected would go to a special recreation trail fund and would fund things like trail grooming,trail building and maintenance and provide every single user with a synopsis of where they can and can't go,so there is no argument with officials or other back country users of it's intended use.

The fee for a BCAPP would reasonable so that everyone has no excuse for having one.If you park on the side of the road to hike or ski, you pay.

The only stipulation is that the money collected would not into "General Revenue" and be solely used for trail upgrades,signage and enforcement.

The hunters have it and it works,this Caribou restriction is a perfect example of what is to come,and without an idea where to go,the fines will far outweigh the BCAPP idea.

I don't want any slamming on this,,,some constructive answers and ideas please.We have to protect our sport and our riding areas,if you got a better idea,,,let's hear it.

Lincoln

 

[travydog]

never been there and probably never will but sounds like a good idea. Any way you can raise money in the right way and put it twards the right things sounds good to me. How would you get this pass something kinda like when you get your licences for the sleds or what is your idea on that.

 

[GrizTrack]

It's not a bad idea if the money really stay's were it's suppose to stay. Typically it doesn't.

 

[Griff]

I am not from Canada, but in the U.S. that would be called a tax.

 

[00buck]

It's not a bad idea if the money really stay's were it's suppose to stay. Typically it doesn't.

x2.....

 

[Linc]

A tax would be paying for something you don't get,this would ,,,Hopefully,,,having a synopsis,and,again,,,,hopefully,,,paying for some trail improvements,maybe even opening up more areas,as the areas managed would have to have value.It also makes non-season (ATV's in summer,hikers in summer and snowmobiles,and skiers in winter) folks pay for using our trails in the off season,what ever the sport or recreation.I, for one am getting tired of spending money fixing snowmobile trails and have every other user group using it and not working or paying for it.

 

[Wade]

That's too simple Linc, it's a lot worse than that. Not only do they use our trails and parking lots, we pay for their parking lot and trails, that were not allowed to use.

Gas tax money. 33% goes to snowmobile programs. 33% goes to shared use areas. 33% goes to human powered only areas.

Just not having to pay for the areas were not allowed to use, would be a great start.

The enforcement part you mention is interesting. Since human powered have no restrictions, finally they'd be paying for something that benefits only them. I could see California sucking up every dollar to hire helicopters to fly patrol all day long.

 

[milehighassassin]

They do this in Colorado at Vail Pass, it works great. $6 per user per day, I think you can buy a season pass for $40.

 

[freak58trio]

I think it's a great idea, but like other's have said as long as it goes to what it is intended for!!! It's been a while since i've been to Oregon but i do remember having to buy a pass for like $5.00 a day or something like that, that went to pay for road and trail maintenance.

 

[R J]

User fees are what we all can expect when we travel to different areas on the map.

I have been around programs long enough and a snowmobiler long enough to see when funding such as this gets to the proper places it does make a noticable difference.

Look at the Wyoming program 5 years ago and look at it today. More areas being groomed and better groomed on top of it. Better signage, better maps and so on. Same thing goes for the Yooper of Michigan. A couple years back the trails in Michigan were some of the worst trails I have ever been on. Now they aren't too bad most of the time. The permit fee went up and a bigger portion of it went to the trail program instead of into the DNR's greedy hands. Same thing here in MN over the past few years. The trail sticker, while still pretty new has given most clubs a boost in funding to help all across the board. I know our local club received extra monies due to a user fee/permit.

All places/states should have a permit that goes to a dedicated account. It's better for everyone.

 

[Linc]

This is good feed back,,keep it coming.

It absolutely has to have separate accounting,or no go.

 

[Bronjuan]

It sounds great would this make bcsf/abc snowmobile memberships irrelevant? If so would the "Back Country Access Pass Port" replace why we have snowmobile clubs and would it make it so you have one membership for the entire province? That would be great.

 

[Jay]

You obviously live in the lower mainland, voted ndp last time around I'm guessing? This is the stupidest idea I've heard in a long time. I pay to many taxes already.

 

[Bull]

ok, here is one that should stir the pot..........how about with the cost of a passport, you get an avy/back country first aid course.....that you have to attend to get the passport?

 

[GODEEP]

Would this provide more money for clubs in remote areas? and as stated by Bronjuan, would this just make for one big club permit?

I kind of see this as a problem myself.. What we dont need, is more regulation! What kind of power would this organization have? I would say if each local club had thier own power and control of what happens in their areas, and this was just another way to help fund the province for these kinds of things, it may be a good thing for clubs that need more help than others. BUT, I hate having to pay for things I dont use. ex. for trails, and clubs where I dont ride. I prefer to donate to a local club and be part of whatever organization in that area. with the excaption of organizations like SAWS that are fighting for our rights and areas..

My thoughts...

 

[xrated]

with seperate and outisde funds/accounting this would be great all over. Someone makes sure the sledders get our money, the skiers get theirs etc. What they do with it must meet approval, ie it must be used for up keep of areas, etc. Just so long as there are safe gaurds set up so people don't abuse the funds from within and don't dip into them from outside.

 

[Linc]

You obviously live in the lower mainland, voted ndp last time around I'm guessing? This is the stupidest idea I've heard in a long time. I pay to many taxes already.

Well,,,I didn't vote NDP,I don't live in the lower mainland,and so far you are 0-2,and when I see you sitting beside me at the meetings trying to keep our areas open,then you can come up with all smart azz answers you want,but until then,try to come up with a better idea that helps fund our cash starved clubs and trails,or STFU.

 

[BackCountryBob]

Annual User Fees in Colorado:
Colorado State Parks annual vehicle sticker, entrance, boating, parking at certain trail heads. $60.00 or $6.00/day/person
Boating reg., $25.25 to $50,25 depending on length.
Snowmobile, $30.00
OHV, $25.00
Hunting, $ too many species to list
Fishing, $26.00
Vail Snow Park, $40/person annual or $6.00/day/person including skiers.

Cross country skiers $00.00 includes free special parking lots in various locations

The only way we can collect $$$ from CCS crowd is to have the State Parks collect annual vehicle registration fees for all back country users--including sleds at $60/vehicle.

Right now the FS cops give out fines if you don't have your sled State registered or you are parked in a State Park trail head without a sticker. So it is possible for the State and Federal agencies to co-operate.

Currently I have a National Parks Pass, Colorado State Parks Pass, OHV reg. for my dirt bike, snowmobile reg., boat registration, and a fishing license.

I'm afraid to add it all up, OUCH.

So I would consider paying $100 for a backcountry vehicle annual pass IF the cross country skiers did the same and as long as it is enforced for everyone.

Bob

 

[Jay]

Wow, where to start. I assumed you voted ndp because you want to adapt the basic ndp 101 strategy, tax the hell out of everyone then use the money to fund only the special interest groups you deem "worthy" less a small percentage of course (usually about 70-80%) to fund your new special program. I know you live in the lower mainland because you tell everyone in your personal info in the upper right hand corner. Everyone that lives in Vancouver calls everything north of Hope "upcountry" but if I turn that around and say anything south of Hope is the lower mainland thats wrong? No you've never sat beside me at a land use meeting, I don't live in the lower mainland. If you think there is any point to starting a pi$$ing contest about who has sat through the most meetings or saved the most acres for motorized access you might be surprized. I've met some people before who sit in on a process or two and seem to think they are the only ones fighting to save (insert cause here) and obviously nobody else can do the same excellent job they can. I don't know a thing about your "cash starved club" but in my world we get our own wallets out, we don't expect everyone in the province to pay our way, face it buddy, it's a BAD idea. Lastly as for telling me to stfu, well frankly it's childish. If thats your best negotiating skills maybe you should consider stepping aside from saving the world and let someone else do it. If you insist however that your the best man for the job heres a hint to help with the personal image, lose the hat. Perhaps my reply to your post was blunt and rude, my bad, I will say it again however, I pay way to many taxes. I will not willing pay another one.

 

[johnny be bad]

Well,,,I didn't vote NDP,I don't live in the lower mainland,and so far you are 0-2,and when I see you sitting beside me at the meetings trying to keep our areas open,then you can come up with all smart azz answers you want,but until then,try to come up with a better idea that helps fund our cash starved clubs and trails,or STFU.

problem is knowone would pay it! because you would need someone to police it!!! and bigger clubs would say they have more members or passes sothey should get more of the money. i think that every dealer out there should add $100 to all new sleds sold. and it pays for the first year membership to the club area they ride at. that would increase memberships and people would be more inclined to pay for membership again next year!