The MoTSA letter to Stakeholders and interest groups outlining the legal and regulatory framework that must be used to guide decisions with respect to balancing the recreation and timber harvesting values within Woodlot W0084:

Dear Elk-Thurston Trail Users and Interested Stakeholders:

Due to public concern raised over the potential impacts of the proposed timber harvesting, representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts (MTSA), the Ministry of Forests and Range (MFR), the Ministry of Environment (MOE), Ch-ihl-kway-uhk Forest Limited (the woodlot licensee), and trail user groups/clubs have met to discuss management options for the Elk Thurston Trail. The intent of the meeting was to seek opportunities to balance the recreation values of the trail with the economic benefits of timber harvesting within the Woodlot Licence.

A number of options were discussed during the meeting, including the potential for relocating the trail head outside of the woodlot boundary to the west shoulder of Elk Thurston Mountain, as well as the possibility of relocating the logging road so that it does not run along portions of the existing trail. Ch-ihl-kway-uhk Forest Ltd. is committed to continue working with government representatives to explore the feasibility of these options in an effort to mitigate long-term impacts to the trail and associated recreation values. In the meantime, MTSA is working to formally establish the Elk Thurston Trail under Section 56 of the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA). MTSA will work with the MFR, Ch-ihl-kway-uhk Forest Ltd. and the trail user groups to determine the wording of a proposed Order to provide Ch-ihl-kway-uhk Forest Ltd an objective to manage for.

It is important to recognize that the Elk Thurston Trail is located in an area identified as “working forest”, which means it is an area where timber harvesting operations can legally occur. In addition, part of the lower elevations of the trail fall within the boundaries of Woodlot Licence W0084. In a working forest, MFR manages forest resources for multiple purposes such as recreation, wildlife habitat, scenic values, timber harvesting, etc. The goal is to manage the working forest in a manner that recognizes and balances the needs of different forest values. This often requires a degree of cooperation and compromise between different stakeholder groups.

Ch-ihl-kway-uhk Forest Ltd. acknowledges the value and importance of the Elk Thurston Trail in their Woodlot Licence Plan, which was recently approved by MFR, and has committed to utilizing partial harvesting systems whenever timber removal is proposed within 75 metres of thetrail. Furthermore, the woodlot licensee has stated that measures to mitigate adverse impacts will be utilized during timber harvesting and/or road construction to ensure the recreation feature and associated values are maintained in a condition that allows for its intended and continued use. These strategies identified in the approved Woodlot Licence Plan will be considered by MFR during the approval process of harvesting and road building permit applications. This practice is consistent with provisions that would be applied when managing an established recreation trail of similar value.

Therefore, the Elk Thurston Trail will be receiving the same management consideration that would be provided to a legally established trail in the same area.
The MTSA is confident that the economic and recreation values of this area can be balanced through a cooperative working relationship with the licensee, Provincial Government and trail users. We look forward to working with all of you to demonstrate this balanced, integrated approach to forest management.

Yours truly,

Frank Ullmann, Recreation Officer
Chilliwack Recreation District
Recreation Sites and Trails Branch

Our main concerns regarding this MOU is that is more a document of concepts and ideas rather than tangible and concrete methods of enforcement and holding the Chilkwayuck accountable to proper trail preservation. We have drafted a responce to John Hawking, who is the MoTSA officer responsible for the BC trail system, outlining our concerns. This letter was given to him last week (mid September), with the opportunity for him to respond before we go public with our concerns.

A follow-up telelphone conversation was had with Mr. Hawking on Friday Sept 21st, which was very positive. He mentioned a few methods of holding the Chilkwayuck accountable which could not be included in the MOU. He promised a responce in writing very shortly, which we would assume to be this week. If we do not hear back from him by the second half of the week, we will go public with our concerns, as time is running short for action.

Stay tuned.

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