Porcupine/Nature Conservancy of Canada

[kootenaycat]

Just wanted to inform people of the issue with riding up Porcupine near Ymir/Salmo. Once again the Beaver Mountain Snowmobile Association has entered into an agreement to ride Porcupine (Darkwoods - now owned by the Nature Conservancy of Canada). It isn't hidden info (on the BMSA site) but not well publicized either. I was contacted by a friend who was confronted by a member of the BMSA on Boxing day at Amilson lake. To ride the Darkwoods (NCC) area, you must be a member of BMSA and agree to the regulations set out to access that area.

I would prefer the BMSA put this information out to the public on the many snowmobile sites, but since that hasn't happened yet, I thought I'd put it out there to help the public avoid confrontations and being threatened with a tresspassing charge.

Brian, care to add to this?

Kevin

 

[kootenaycat]

A couple of links to the BMSA site:

BMSA site:
http://www.freewebs.com/bvrmntn/

News on the NCC agreement:
http://www.freewebs.com/bvrmntn/clubareanews.htm

Map of the riding area:
http://www.freewebs.com/bvrmntn/NCC_WBL ACCESS MAP 2008_2009 WEB IMAGE.jpg

Contact info:
http://www.freewebs.com/bvrmntn/contacts.htm

 

[Coxy]

Very nicely put Kevin.
I realize not everyone from the Beaver Valley snowmobile club is gonna be out power tripping, with their "BushCop" badge and a high and mighty attitude. But to the individuals who choose to take this action to heart, perhaps work on a better method of presenting yourselves than your mighty club president. The way in which he presented himself will only increase resistance towards what you are trying to accomplish, not to mention possibly get someone hurt, and cause people to use other methods of accessing the area that are so readilly available. Perhaps some social skills, combined with some people skills, might help with a more positive outcome of the whole situation. You must realize that many well respected people have been using the Porcupine area for many years, and with a lack of information on your clubs bargain with the NCC will continue to be a large problem, for local or non local riders. I've worked up porcupine, and have rode up there for many years, as well as friends, which becomes practically invisible, especially through winter. Anyhow, its snowing like crazy, and the riding season is young. Ride safe everyone!

 

[BMSA]

Message from BMSA

A message from the Beaver Mountain Snowmobiling Association regarding the NCC property, formally Darkwoods:

Beaver Mountain Snowmobiling Association, along with Kootenay Country Snowmobiling Club, has the sole license agreement to ride on the NCC property during this year’s 2008/2009 snowmobile season. Riding on this property, when not a member of either of the aforementioned clubs, is in direct violation of the NCC’s land rights. Documentation of unauthorized riders can be in the form of photo and video. As part of our agreement, we observe, record and report all unauthorized riders found on the NCC’s Private Property. Regular patrolling will continue for the season.

Beaver Mountain Snowmobiling Association, Kootenay Country Snowmobiling Club and ABCsnow.ca recognize that in order to protect riding areas that are on private property, we have to enter into similar license agreements and land stewardships. Our clubs will continue to practice safe and responsible snowmobile riding and demonstrate Backcountry Stewardship.

New members are welcome to join BMSA, provided that they uphold the Constitution and Bylaws of BMSA and adhere to all license agreements on private property(s).

Next general meeting is Jan 5, 2009 at Beaver Valley Curling club, 125 Pine, Fruitvale at 7:00 pm, downstairs.

BMSA DOES NOT promote or advertise riding on any private property through any kinds of media including forums!

 

[Coxy]

Thanks Dan. Noone is asking for you guys to promote riding on this secret land. Its just that in the past, if the gates were open, it was fair game. The signage problem is that most guys have been up there so often, and so regularly that most guys dont even notice the Km markers, let alone other signs.

 

[BMSA]

Gate open or closed, signs are well placed both on the property line and at the gate. As all local people in the area know, the selling of the Darkwoods property was a high profile media event and well publicized.

The BC Region of the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) successfully closed the biggest private conservation purchase in Canadian history, formally Darkwoods, for protection of Canada’s biodiversity while providing a meaningful, hands-on educational experience in ecologically significant natural areas. Both BMSA and the KCSC are extremely grateful to be the first snowmobile clubs in Canada to have agreements with the NCC, as we both have done in the past with Darkwoods. We will uphold our agreements to protect this sensitive ecological area.

BMSA will not assume “fair game” to well signed private properties, or un signed private properties; for example: you or your families properties for snowmobile access or recreation. BMSA recommends responsible snowmobile riders seek permission to be on private land and know what land they intend to ride on, Crown or private property. Example: the Bombi summit is private property 3.25 km North from parking lot and therefore BMSA will not promote this area for snowmobile recreation.

 

[dinlaroche]

It's the Kokanee Country snowmobile club, not Kootenay Country...As an FYI for others, they are based out of Creston.

A message from the Beaver Mountain Snowmobiling Association regarding the NCC property, formally Darkwoods:

Beaver Mountain Snowmobiling Association, along with Kootenay Country Snowmobiling Club, has the sole license agreement to ride on the NCC property during this year’s 2008/2009 snowmobile season. Riding on this property, when not a member of either of the aforementioned clubs, is in direct violation of the NCC’s land rights. Documentation of unauthorized riders can be in the form of photo and video. As part of our agreement, we observe, record and report all unauthorized riders found on the NCC’s Private Property. Regular patrolling will continue for the season.

Beaver Mountain Snowmobiling Association, Kootenay Country Snowmobiling Club and ABCsnow.ca recognize that in order to protect riding areas that are on private property, we have to enter into similar license agreements and land stewardships. Our clubs will continue to practice safe and responsible snowmobile riding and demonstrate Backcountry Stewardship.

New members are welcome to join BMSA, provided that they uphold the Constitution and Bylaws of BMSA and adhere to all license agreements on private property(s).

Next general meeting is Jan 5, 2009 at Beaver Valley Curling club, 125 Pine, Fruitvale at 7:00 pm, downstairs.

BMSA DOES NOT promote or advertise riding on any private property through any kinds of media including forums!

 

[BMSA]

my misstake. BMSA apologizes.